In Rays of Light Review on Xbox

In Rays of Light is a remake of the original pc game The Light by Sergey Noskov and is a first person horror game that takes a unique look into the end of time based on nuclear war. All reviews (unless stated otherwise) are based on the Developer/Publisher providing myself with a review code, which i am grateful for, but does not influence my outcome.

The premise is that there is only you, awakened in the abandoned remains of a former life in an derelict building to explore, currently being taken over by nature.

The game boasts two different endings, unique puzzles, beautiful visual and melodic compositions from Dmitry Nikolaev and a philosophical story that should keep you thinking beyond the games completion.

Gameplay

After a quick visual piece showing the passing of time from the viewpoint of a can on the road, you then start in an abandoned room in what seems to be an derelict hotel. The gloom of the building is stark contrast to the bright visual vibrant out doors which light punctures into the building. After some exploration you leave the room and see a torch opposite, strapped to the wall, with words “The Light will lead you”, and it is here where the adventure begins.

With no hand holding, you are left to explore the area, the building and its enclosures to work out how to progress. Clues are dotted about and may appear when an object is touched, such as ‘’no power’’ or ‘’no key’’, others are objects left about like pictures, but its solely left to you to work out what they are and how to get them. Exploration is then key, searching everything gives you the ability to move forward and sometimes its best to look into your inventory to see what works. 

I had particular trouble working out how to get passed a door tied with rope, until I realized I had a lighter in my pocket…Puzzles range from quite easy to very tricky, for instance, one that took me awhile was decoding a numbered sequence from old photographs dotted around the building. The answers are there, you just need to look carefully at your surroundings.  

Being first person, everything is on display and as you walk around at a slow pace, you can really soak in the gorgeous environment. Now you can move a bit faster with a mini sprint and as I mentioned earlier objects that you pick up, fill up a small inventory. But that’s it, besides solving some puzzles. There is no combat to be had, or anything dangerous to encounter. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a constant set of dread in the world, specially the dark areas where you feel as something is always watching you from afar. 

The mood in this game is set perfectly and much like an Alfred Hitchcock movie, tension and horror is about what you can’t see, rather that what you can. Everything here is done expertly and at the end I just wanted more. Now that’s not to say there wasn’t some issues. For instance if you are looking to 100% the game there is some achievements that don’t give you any indication on how to do it. The first ending is simply progressing through the game, however the second ending needs you to do the whole story again but without using any light except where its needed to open a door. Trouble is, nothing tells you that, and I can see this annoying some people. 

Graphics

The games visual style is gorgeous and looks amazing as you wander through the semi-gloomed building, or the bright open external area and the deep dark basement. Each area complements the other and yet is unique enough to bring its own mood and feel as you explore. 

The overgrown reclaiming of nature on the derelict buildings and vehicles outside sell this hauntingly beautiful apocalyptic world. Lighting is used perfectly here to create a mood that’s often picked up by a verbal narrative. The only thing that did break the immersion for me was the shadows as if you look closely you can see a block distorted nature, but this is more a nit pic that a huge issue. 

The story itself is told through your exploration by reading the letters and pages left about for you to find. It’s a intense story to take in and the philosophical implications may keep you pondering beyond the games closure if you think about it too deeply. 
 
Sound

The sound in this game is superbly executed, utilizing mostly a piano score that manages to enhance as well as downplay every moment of outstanding beauty or deep unnerving creep of the darkness you encounter. Other sounds like TV’s or external sirens are also used with haunting effect and when first experienced will grab hold. Everything here is ramp up your senses or lull you before a well thought out impact, which it does with expertly, and that’s a sign of a composer knowing his audience. 

Verdict 
This leads me onto the rating of the game:-
Now I rate games in order of, avoid, on sale, great purchase and must own. My rating for In Rays of Light is "Great Purchase".

Whilst the game is short, it did feel value for money and with second ending plus secrets to uncover, there is plenty here for you to enjoy. I would recommend finding the secret film by the developer, which you can only do after completing both endings, as what you may give you a little shock.  

The game is currently priced on Xbox at £6.69 or approx $8, and depending on skill and patience would give you about 2-3 hours worth of gameplay to potentially clear the story, with a further hour to do the second ending once you know how to, plus some hidden secrets.

Whilst this maybe a remake for those who have the original on Pc, this Is perfect for those who are coming in fresh. Want a hauntingly walking puzzle sim in a beautiful world with philosophical story, that can net you a 1000g without too much effort or time? This is perfect for you.