Absinth is a paid adventure game from blackHound GmbH. This psychological horror, entirely in first-person, blurs the boundaries between fantasy and reality. Set in modern California, you get to experience the surreal events that happened to a certain Zane Zaminski, unlocking the secrets of his past while growing uncertain of your own future.

With good control over atmospheric tension and a cunning AI that distorts the boundary between the in-game experience and your real-world one, Absinth really messes with the player for an authentic horror feel. It feels like Amnesia: The Dark Descent and The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe.

Experience a long overnight

The premise for Absinth begins on a July 2018 weekend, when Zane visited the California Redwoods. He disappeared without a trace, only to be found two days later with parts of his memory seemingly wiped out. It comes with the full treatment—newspaper clippings, TV footage, and a phone conversation—that makes it immersive right from the start. However, although the storytelling appears spectacular, the gameplay throws you in blind.

Most of its value as a horror game is founded on its good use of atmospheric horror, retaining tension for most of the time with its impressive set designs. This is a combination of seemingly average locations made unsettling by background sounds and lighting effects. You even start the game talking to a man whose face is conveniently dimmed out. 

However, while the game offers a bit of tutorial at the start, its game objectives are mostly vague, leaving you to find out what to do. Also, people with photosensitivity issues might want to pass on this one because there are flickering lights and drastic transitions between dark and very bright parts. Other than that, it’s very much playable and only the difficulty makes it feel broken for some players.

An impressive horror game

If you’re looking for an immersive horror experience, be sure to check out Absinth. Unlike other titles, it doesn’t overly rely on gore or monsters but keeps a good part of what it’s about to the player. It creates a sense of mystery and uncertainty that keeps players on their toes. They keep so much, in fact, that it leaves you blind and unaware of your specific objectives.