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INFERNIUM

INFERNIUM

Carlos Coronado · released Apr 3, 2018

AdventureIndie

Infernium, a survival horror approach to Pac-Man. Dive in a non-linear beautiful portrait of hell, die in a prison without bars and overcome a brutal penitence. Also available on Switch and PS4!

67
VGC Score
·No trend datamedium confidence
70%
At launch
66%
Steam all-time
61%
Press
n/a
Recent sentiment

Screenshots & trailers

Review sentiment over time

Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.

How this score was computed

The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.

ComponentPositiveQuality (0-100)Weight (pseudo-reviews)
Press reviews (OpenCritic)616
All-time Steam reviews66%6495
Metacritic user ratings0
Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted)0
Calibration prior (typical game)7250

Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 0 reviews sampled · 0 total reviews in window · weighted 0 up / 0 down · computed 4h ago · full methodology →

Press & Creators reviews (16)

Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.

  • 70
    trust 76Apr 16, 2018

    Infernium is a beautiful, strange first-person adventure that draws its inspiration from an eclectic range of sources. It's frequently frustrating and maddeningly vague, but those with the determination to crack its secrets will be richly rewarded.

    read full review ↗
  • 65
    trust 70Apr 8, 2018

    While Infernium presents itself very well, has a certain unique sense of ambiance, and can certainly be conquered given careful observation, its trial-and-error nature and pacing will likely lead to polar opposite reactions in people. For people who enjoy the puzzle adventure aspect, exploring the spaces and working out an optimal path to success while staying a few steps ahead of doom it may scratch an itch. Unfortunately I would imagine for just about anyone else it will likely be an exercise in frustration and burn through the patience of people hoping for more immediate gratification. Just be sure to go into the experience with the proper expectations and you’ll improve your chances of enjoying it.

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  • 40
    trust 69Apr 13, 2018

    If trudging around a nice-looking hell is what you're after then there may be a little merit in investing in Infernium, but for anyone after a decent gaming experience, be it horror, puzzle, or walking simulator, then this just doesn't cut it.

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  • 85
    trust 69Apr 8, 2018

    Overall, this game left me in shambles as I would feel a sense of extreme dread as I made progress throughout each world as I never fully knew what reaction any of my decisions could cause. However, it gave me a sense of relief and wonder when I would solve the puzzle given to me and continue forward to see what challenges awaited me next.

    read full review ↗
  • 60
    trust 67Aug 1, 2018

    One of the most notable developer notes found within the loading screen is that Infernium started out as a salsa dance simulator. Given the title's choppy gameplay and a major lack of direction, the game should have stayed as originally intended. In order to sum up Infernium in the best way possible, I quote the most memorable developer note, "If you play this game with the developer at your side and you ask him something about the game, he would tell you, 'I don't know, I've never played this game before.'" While the game has tons of personality with an interesting concept, a fun challenge in some areas, and even a New Game+ feature that adds new surprises, it's ultimately a Frankenstein's monster of other games cut together. If leaving players lost and confused in Hell is Infernium's goal, then it has succeeded.

    read full review ↗
  • 50
    trust 65Jun 19, 2018

    In spite of its flaws, Infernium is a creative vision of the afterlife. There is an audience for this game somewhere; I'm just not part of it.

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  • 60
    trust 63Jun 3, 2018

    Infernium is a game that’s all about memorisation and trial and error, which might very well be more towards your taste than mine. I felt like sometimes I would just have to die in order to progress as I made a slight error, but I grew tired of the mundane way the game forced me to respawn and get all the way back to that point again.

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  • 30
    trust 62Apr 5, 2018

    Infernium is certainly something else. It's not quite the Souls-like, Survival Horror Pac-man game the developer thinks it is, and it's certainly not something that's all that well put together. If you like running away from the same 2 enemy models with slightly different colors, don't mind the absolute lack of story beyond bad fan-fiction on random walls, and like dying to enemies around the corner, you'll love Infernium. Otherwise, it's best to stay away.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 62Jun 4, 2018

    As for its graphics, the game is certainly gorgeous with a lot of attention to detail that makes locations shine. Looking at the sand and the ocean, feeling the calm around you, to then be transported to a very different, rocky and dangerous location will keep you marveling at all the hard work that went into bringing this game to life. So if you're looking for a non-linear, differently structured game, be sure to check out Infernium on PlayStation 4, a game where danger lurks around every corner!

    read full review ↗
  • 81
    trust 60Apr 4, 2018

    Overall the game is pretty fun and definitely a choice for the hardcore gamer out there that likes solving puzzles and enjoys a challenge that matches that of some of the hardest games out there. You’ll definitely find yourself in a challenging environment unlike any other and you’ll have to stay one step ahead of your current movement to know exactly what to do next in order to evade the enemy and have time to perform an action. I wouldn’t suggest this game for the casual player though as you will likely get frustrated and never attempt to finish the game again. For the price however you may be tempted to give it a shot no matter what.

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  • 50
    trust 56Apr 4, 2018

    Infernium attempts to pay homage to older games, and mostly leaves the player alone to discover the world on their own. Problem is, many of the connections between levels only make sense to the developer, and while the game's scares may cause a good jump or two, they are easy to see coming after the first few times. Permadeath is a mechanic few games use these days, but when dying in a game is this agonizing involving multiple loading screens, the player may almost welcome obtaining a game over since it's the last time they'll see that purgatory.

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  • 55
    trust 56Apr 6, 2018

    Infernium is a vague, inconsistent jumble of a game, and that bleeds into its horror all too often. A shame really because what Infernium tries to do with its setting and storytelling is refreshing. This may be a trip to Hell, but it needn't play like it.

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…and 4 more tracked reviews.

Patch history