Indika Review: Unconventional Allure

Indika transcends traditional boundaries, embracing bold risks with its unorthodox narrative techniques, aiming for unparalleled originality. It aspires to a unique storytelling caliber seldom encountered in video games. Envision a young nun joining forces with a fugitive who, at one juncture, takes her captive. It’s a story of introspection and confronting one’s inner demons.

Indika is an indie game offering a unique experience with its third-person narrative, blending experimental storytelling and environmental puzzles. Created by Odd Meter and launched by 11-bit studios, it was released on May 2, 2024, for Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms.

A Journey of Self-Discovery

“Indika” is a narrative set in a reimagined 19th-century Russia, charting the odyssey of a young nun by the same name. Beginning as a figure of humility and innocence, Indika’s mission to deliver a letter propels her into a grim voyage of self-discovery beyond the convent’s confines. She confronts her internal Satanic thoughts within, weaving a tale that oscillates between mostly tragic and a wee bit comedic at times.

The game profoundly explores the psychological aspects of faith and skepticism. Its strength resides in the existential themes and deliberate warping of reality, mirroring the inner turmoil of a woman as her belief, mental stability, and perception of reality gradually deteriorate. Rather than focusing on external challenges, it emphasizes the internal conflicts faced by Indika.

At the core of the story is Indika’s odyssey with Ilya, an escaped convict, as they navigate their personal tribulations while upholding their belief in the divine. The narrative oscillates between darkness and light, exploring substantial religious themes and intertwining somber humor with psychological dread. It challenges players to ponder deep questions regarding faith, authority, and the nature of good and evil, offering a story that resonates with the existential search for meaning in a mysterious universe.

Overall, it’s a brief yet impactful tale that unfolds over 2-3 hours, offering one of the most unconventional and unique experiences I’ve encountered in a video game. While the puzzles may be less enjoyable and cause some delays, the weight of its narrative makes it unforgettable.

Repent Thy Sins

Indika stands out for its unique narrative, yet it falters due to its uninspiring gameplay, which is part puzzler and part walking simulator. The gameplay primarily consists of third-person exploration, featuring environmental puzzles and platforming elements. Players encounter a wide variety of puzzles, ranging from key-finding to traversing nightmarish landscapes created by the devil. The game demands cleverness and ingenuity to overcome the harsh and freezing terrains of Russia that extend beyond the monastery’s confines.

While it may not stand out as unique, the game’s aesthetic appeal and captivating narrative can compensate for its shortcomings. The inclusion of challenging yet enjoyable 2D platformer segments adds to the overall engaging experience.

Things That Make it Unique

Indika stands out for its innovative approach to storytelling and gameplay, crafting a world that is simultaneously vibrant and eerily desolate. The game features remarkably lifelike facial animations alongside delightful 8-bit graphics, resulting in a visual experience that is both bewildering and captivating. Its narrative unfolds gracefully, with intricately designed puzzles and multifaceted characters, culminating in a tale that could rival an Oscar-winning script, complete with equally impressive performances.

Technically, the game experiences several issues. Notably, the temporal upscaling is flawed, significantly affecting performance when selecting the quality preset. Additionally, shadows appear pixelated on medium and low presets, and the limited graphical adjustment options necessitate using the Ultra preset to achieve an acceptable visual quality. The game also suffers from micro-stuttering when transitioning between different terrains or from gameplay to cutscenes.

Real Talk

Indika is a bold take on a memorable story that feels original to its core. Via unconventional story elements, it challenges players to question faith, authority, and the nature of good and evil. However, it struggles in gameplay due to uninspired puzzles which are partly redeemed by its sweet yet short 8-bit platformer sequences.

FINAL RATING: 80/100