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CRITIK

INDIKA

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of INDIKA
Item: INDIKA
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2024

GenresAdventure, Third Person Perspective, Puzzle and Logic, Single Player

AvailableMay 2, 2024

PlatformPC, Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5

DeveloperOdd-Meter

Overview

Play a third-person, story-driven game set in alternative Russia of the late XIX century where religious visions clash with harsh reality. INDIKA tells the story of a young nun who sets off on a journey of self-discovery with the most unusual companion by her side, the devil himself.

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Game analysis

Critik Scorecard

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Story and Narrative

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

100%

Mixed (50-79)

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The majority of the critics praised the story of INDIKA for its depth, originality, and thematic richness. But Why Tho?? commends the game for its exploration of isolation and introspection, focusing on the protagonist's internal struggles and self-discovery. Everyeye.it appreciates the narrative revolving around a nun dealing with existential questions and drawing inspiration from Russian literature, exploring themes of the relationship between man and God, political and religious values, and societal issues. VG247 highlights the thought-provoking nature of the story, focusing on morality, religion, and internal struggles, challenging players to question their beliefs. These positive aspects of the story, including its exploration of philosophical themes, religious ideologies, and societal issues, resonated well with the critics. However, some critics noted certain drawbacks in the narrative of INDIKA. PC Gamer mentions tonal disjunctures and heavy-handed speechifying, which could potentially detract from the overall experience. While GameSkinny praises the distinct narrative exploring philosophical themes and theology, it is essential to consider that such deep themes might not appeal to all players, potentially alienating a portion of the audience. Despite these criticisms, the overall sentiment towards the story of INDIKA remains largely positive, with critics acknowledging its inventiveness, thematic depth, and thought-provoking nature. In conclusion, the consensus among the critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the story of INDIKA. Critics such as Shacknews appreciate the inventive storytelling and strong character writing, while XboxEra describes the tale as intellectually deep, focused on faith, and filled with absurdity. The narrative's exploration of sin, redemption, abuse of power, and societal issues resonated well with the reviewers, making it a standout feature of the game. While there were some minor criticisms regarding tonal inconsistencies and heavy-handed elements, the overall consensus is that INDIKA offers a compelling and thought-provoking narrative that challenges players' beliefs and provides a unique storytelling experience.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Critics praise INDIKA for its deep, original, and thematically rich story exploring isolation, introspection, philosophical themes, and societal issues. While some note drawbacks like tonal inconsistencies and heavy-handed elements, the overall sentiment remains positive for its inventive storytelling, strong character writing, and thought-provoking nature. The narrative's focus on themes of faith, sin, redemption, and societal problems resonates well with reviewers, making it a standout feature of the game.

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

21%

Mixed (50-79)

79%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The gameplay of INDIKA has received praise from several critics for its positive aspects. But Why Tho?? appreciates the intricate puzzles that are seamlessly integrated into the narrative, providing genuine challenges for the protagonist. GameSkinny commends the distinct and engaging variety of puzzles and platforming elements, each offering a unique solution. VG247 highlights the unique mechanic where the protagonist can manipulate the environment through prayer, adding depth to the gameplay experience. On the flip side, some critics have pointed out negative aspects of the gameplay in INDIKA. COGconnected notes that while the game is puzzle-heavy with reasonable puzzles, mechanics sometimes undermine the narrative due to poorly explained choices and sluggish controls. Gamepressure mentions an overabundance of interactivity leading to flaws in controls and level design, impacting the overall gameplay experience negatively. Shacknews criticizes the inclusion of tedious puzzles, which may hinder the player's enjoyment of the game. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the gameplay of INDIKA is mixed. While there is appreciation for the intricate puzzles, engaging platforming elements, and unique mechanics like manipulating reality through prayer, there are concerns about poorly explained mechanics, tedious puzzles, and flaws in controls and level design. Despite these mixed opinions, the gameplay seems to offer a narrative-driven experience with a focus on environmental puzzles and platforming, providing a varied but not always original gameplay experience, as noted by PC Gamer.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

INDIKA gameplay praised for intricate puzzles, engaging platforming, and unique prayer mechanic. Criticisms include poorly explained mechanics, tedious puzzles, and flawed controls. Mixed opinions highlight narrative-driven experience with varied gameplay.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

57%

Mixed (50-79)

43%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The critics unanimously praise the Graphics and Visual Design of INDIKA for its stunning and unique art style. Critics like But Why Tho?? and GameSpew highlight the visually beautiful and surreal landscapes, with GameSpew specifically mentioning the photo-realistic visuals that enhance the game's surreal and unique nature. COGconnected and Try Hard Guides appreciate the striking monochromatic aesthetic and bleak color palette, respectively, which contribute to creating a somber atmosphere. The attention to detail in environments, as noted by GameSkinny, and the use of different design styles effectively conveying story elements are also lauded. However, some critics point out technical issues and design flaws that detract from the overall experience. Everyeye.it mentions initial technical issues with textures and frame rate, although a patch improved the performance. Gamepressure criticizes poorly designed action and platforming sequences, while Voxel notes that character details and animations could use more polish. XboxEra also highlights bugs with character pathing and environment interactions, indicating some inconsistencies in the execution of the visual design. Overall, the consensus among the critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of INDIKA. The game's unique art style, blending arthouse cinematic flair, pixel art memories, and surreal landscapes, stands out as a major strength. IGN Deutschland praises the surreal landscapes and bizarre elements that contribute to the artistic and arthouse feel, while PC Gamer appreciates the impressionistic and dreamlike visuals depicting late 19th century Russia with horror-inflected surrealism. Despite some technical issues and design flaws mentioned by a few critics, the majority agree that the visuals enhance the game's storytelling and create a visually engaging and atmospheric experience.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Critics unanimously praise INDIKA's stunning and unique art style, highlighting visually beautiful landscapes and surreal visuals. Some mention technical issues and design flaws, but overall, the game's graphics and visual design receive overwhelmingly positive feedback for enhancing storytelling and creating a visually engaging experience.

Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

50%

Mixed (50-79)

50%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The Sound Design and Music of INDIKA have garnered a mix of positive feedback from critics. Many reviewers praised the game for its unique and fitting music choices that enhance the overall atmosphere and storytelling. Everyeye.it highlighted the electronic tracks reminiscent of 8-bit games, which added a dissociative effect complementing the game's themes. PC Gamer also commended the ambient-leaning chiptune soundtrack with dance elements, contributing to the disorienting weirdness of the atmosphere. Additionally, Hey Poor Player noted that the soundtrack and voicework created a chilling atmosphere, mirroring the protagonist's mental state and providing emotional impact amidst the chaos, showcasing the effectiveness of the sound design in immersing players in the game's world. On the downside, some critics pointed out issues with performance and occasional inconsistencies in the music's placement. COGconnected mentioned experiencing stutters and framerate drops, which could disrupt the overall gaming experience. VG247 noted that while the chiptune music and sound design contributed to the bizarre atmosphere, there were times when the music felt out of place, potentially affecting the immersion for some players. These criticisms suggest that while the sound design and music were generally well-received, there were areas that could be improved to provide a more seamless and immersive experience for players. Overall, the consensus among critics leans towards a positive reception of the Sound Design and Music in INDIKA. The clever use of environmental sounds, strong voice acting, and fitting music choices were highlighted as key strengths by reviewers such as Gamepressure and Shacknews. While there were some performance issues and occasional mismatches in the music's placement, the majority of critics appreciated how the sound design and music contributed to the game's unique charm and immersive storytelling experience. The overall sentiment suggests that the Sound Design and Music in INDIKA successfully enhanced the gameplay and narrative, creating a distinct and engaging audiovisual experience for players.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Critics praise the unique music and sound design in the game INDIKA for enhancing its atmosphere and storytelling. The electronic tracks and ambient chiptune soundtrack are lauded for their immersive qualities, though some critics noted performance issues and occasional music placement inconsistencies. Despite these drawbacks, the majority of reviewers agree that the sound design and music effectively complement the game's themes and contribute to its immersive experience.

Voice Acting

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING

Acting Score

Positive (80-100)

75%

Mixed (50-79)

25%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.

The voice acting in INDIKA has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the majority of critics. COGconnected commends the trio of leads for their performances, effectively conveying the peculiar, philosophical, and surreal dialogue. Gamepressure also highlights the talented voice actors delivering well-written dialogue. XboxEra praises the natural voice acting with excellent performances, avoiding the 'I AM ACTING' style often seen in games, and notes that the engaging dialogue adds depth to the characters and story. Hey Poor Player appreciates how the voices in Indika, including the protagonist's inner monologue and other characters, deliver raw emotional impact, making the struggle relatable and anchoring the player in the narrative. Overall, the positive aspects of the voice acting include its effectiveness in immersing players in the game world, enhancing character depth, and delivering emotional impact. While the majority of critics lauded the voice acting in INDIKA, there were no specific negative comments or criticisms mentioned by any of the reviewers. This absence of negative feedback suggests that the voice acting was consistently well-received across the board, indicating a high level of quality and consistency in the performances. The lack of negative comments regarding the voice acting implies that it was a standout aspect of the game that resonated positively with the critics. In conclusion, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the voice acting in INDIKA. The performances were praised for being well-acted, immersive, and emotionally impactful, with the voice actors effectively conveying the philosophical and surreal elements of the dialogue. The natural delivery, depth of character portrayal, and engaging dialogue were highlighted as strengths of the voice acting, contributing significantly to the overall experience of the game. With no negative feedback provided by the reviewers, it is evident that the voice acting in INDIKA was a standout feature that greatly enhanced the narrative and player engagement, solidifying its position as a strong aspect of the game.

TL;DR

voice acting

Critics unanimously praise the voice acting in INDIKA for its immersive, emotionally impactful performances that effectively convey the philosophical and surreal elements of the dialogue. Natural delivery, depth of character portrayal, and engaging dialogue were highlighted as strengths, with no negative feedback provided, indicating a standout feature that greatly enhances player engagement and narrative depth in the game.

Technical Performance

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

67%

Negative (0-49)

33%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

In terms of the positives for the PC version of INDIKA, Everyeye.it highlights the improvement in stability post-patch, particularly praising the cinematic sequences for their quality and effective utilization of the Unreal Engine. This indicates that the game has the potential to deliver visually stunning moments on the platform. Additionally, IGN Deutschland notes that despite technical glitches, the game's abrupt transitions between levels could potentially add a unique element to the gameplay experience. These aspects suggest that the PC version of INDIKA offers moments of visual brilliance and potentially intriguing gameplay dynamics. On the flip side, the negatives for the PC version of INDIKA are quite apparent. COGconnected, Voxel, and IGN Deutschland all point out issues with stutters, frame rate drops, and performance problems, such as frame rate drops on high-end GPUs like the GeForce 3080. These technical issues significantly impact the overall experience, hindering gameplay immersion and potentially frustrating players. Furthermore, IGN Deutschland mentions clunky controls and abrupt level transitions, while Gamepressure highlights problems with controls, level design, and puzzles, indicating a lack of polish and refinement in the PC version of the game. Overall, the consensus among the critics regarding the Technical Performance of INDIKA on all platforms is mixed. While Everyeye.it and XboxEra acknowledge the potential for improvement through patches and updates, highlighting the stability enhancements and the upcoming console releases, respectively, other critics like COGconnected, Gamepressure, IGN Deutschland, and Voxel express concerns about various technical issues plaguing the game on PC. The general sentiment leans towards acknowledging the game's potential but also emphasizing the current shortcomings that need to be addressed to provide a smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience across all platforms.

TL;DR

technical performance

INDIKA's PC version impresses with cinematic quality and unique gameplay transitions, but suffers from technical glitches like stuttering and frame rate drops, hampering immersion. Critics agree on the game's potential but highlight the need for significant improvements to deliver a smoother gaming experience on all platforms.

Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

90%

Negative (0-49)

10%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

The critics generally agree that INDIKA has some positive aspects that contribute to its replay value. Critics like Shacknews appreciate how the game encourages players to form their own conclusions and experience the story for themselves, which can lead to different interpretations and motivations for replaying the game. Additionally, VG247 highlights the philosophical questions and environmental details that encourage players to engage deeply with the narrative, providing a unique and thought-provoking experience that some players may find intriguing to revisit. On the other hand, the critics also point out several negative aspects that may hinder the game's replay value. GameSkinny mentions that the abrupt ending of INDIKA could limit its replayability, as players may feel unsatisfied with the lack of closure or incentive to revisit the game. Gamepressure echoes this sentiment by noting the short playtime and abrupt ending as factors that diminish the game's replay value, despite the potential for improvements through updates. Furthermore, Voxel criticizes the game for its linear and short nature, with simple puzzles that do not offer much incentive for replaying, indicating a lack of variety or depth in gameplay mechanics that could enhance replayability. Overall, the consensus among the critics is mixed regarding the replay value of INDIKA. While some critics appreciate the enigmatic quality and philosophical themes that offer enduring impact and potential for varied interpretations, others point out the game's short length, abrupt ending, and lack of engaging gameplay mechanics as factors that may limit its replayability. The game's serious tone, unique storytelling approach, and intriguing narrative elements may appeal to a specific audience looking for a thought-provoking experience, but its shortcomings in gameplay depth and replay incentives could deter some players from revisiting the game multiple times.

TL;DR

replay value

Critics praise INDIKA for its enigmatic storytelling and philosophical themes that offer varied interpretations, enhancing replay value. However, they criticize the game for its short length, abrupt ending, and lack of engaging gameplay mechanics, which may limit its replayability. While appealing to those seeking a thought-provoking experience, the game's shortcomings in gameplay depth and replay incentives might deter some players from revisiting it multiple times.

Overall Verdict

CRITIK

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Critik Score

Positive (80-100)

71%

Mixed (50-79)

29%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

The critics generally praise INDIKA for its unique and daring approach to storytelling, with many highlighting its thematic richness and thought-provoking narrative. Critics like GameSpew and Hey Poor Player commend the game for delivering a captivating and immersive experience that defies easy categorization, blending unsettling visuals, subversive gameplay, and philosophical themes. IGN Deutschland also appreciates the emotionally stirring experience that raises thought-provoking questions, particularly shining for those with a taste for Eastern European art. The game's arthouse cinematic flair, as noted by But Why Tho??, adds to its intrigue and immersive quality, making it visually beautiful and engaging. On the downside, some critics point out various flaws in INDIKA that hinder the overall experience. COGconnected mentions issues with choppy movement, hit-and-miss pacing, and forgettable puzzles, which detract from the game's originality. Voxel highlights shortcomings in gameplay depth and technical performance, suggesting missed opportunities for the game to stand out. While GameSkinny acknowledges that the game may not appeal to all gamers, it still recommends it for those interested in exploring philosophy, theology, and a surreal world, indicating a potential niche audience for INDIKA. Overall, the consensus among critics leans towards viewing INDIKA as a unique and thought-provoking experience despite its flaws. Gamepressure describes it as a must-play or must-experience game, emphasizing its unforgettable cultural roller-coaster ride. VG247 appreciates the game for challenging players to explore complex themes through its narrative and gameplay, creating a unique and engaging world. Despite mixed opinions on its execution and gameplay issues, the general sentiment is that INDIKA succeeds in delivering a memorable and immersive storytelling experience that leaves a lasting impact on those who engage with it.

TL;DR

INDIKA is praised for its daring storytelling and thematic richness, offering a captivating and immersive experience that defies easy categorization. Critics commend its unsettling visuals, subversive gameplay, and philosophical themes. Despite flaws like choppy movement and forgettable puzzles, the game's arthouse cinematic flair and thought-provoking narrative make it visually beautiful and engaging. Overall, INDIKA is seen as a unique and thought-provoking experience that challenges players to explore complex themes, leaving a lasting impact on those who engage with it.

CRITIK

Reviews

104 reviews found

100

Try Hard Guides

May 1, 2024