Rating

A+

Specific Ratings

GameplayA+
GraphicsA
Learning CurveA
Replay ValueA-
SoundA+

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Scary as hell!
  • Interesting story
  • Cool bosses
  • Fun weapon/magic fighting system
  • Beautiful art
  • Fantastic sound
Cons
  • Not as scary near the end of the game

Clive Barker's Undying (PC)

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Summary

One of the most underrated PC games in years and one of the best horror games you'll ever play!

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Description

When it was released, Clive Barker's Undying didn't have astronomical sales figures, and it never carried a heavy fan following. As a matter of fact, EA had planned on releasing an expansion for this game, but canceled it after poor sales numbers. But don't let that distract you, because this game has to be one of the most underrated titles to ever grace the PC. I believe the popular game reviewer Gamespy even listed it in its all-time top 25 underrated titles. It's a shame because many gamers will never know the terrific game they missed. Undying is a combination first-person shooter and horror game and no shooter has ever effectively combined both genres since.

The story in Clive Barker's Undying starts with the tale of Patrick Galloway, a famous expert on the occult. Patrick has been called by his old World War I buddy, Jeremiah, to investigate a disturbance at Jeremiah's castle. What was once thought to be just a routine job for Patrick becomes an adventure filled with old family curses that he has never faced before, and soon Patrick finds himself fighting for his life and the redemption of the people that once inhabited the sacred grounds.

Clive Barker's Undying is a first-person shooter, but it doesn't feel like your typical shoot 'em up game. Not only can you wield an assortment of macabre weapons such as a death sickle, but you can also control various magic spells. Throughout the game, you will find spells and magic power-ups that will help you become more powerful and eventually defeat the evils that confront your character. Undying has one of the most interesting first-person shooter combat systems that you'll ever get a chance to play with and it mixes well with the horror theme.

Undying is one of those titles that is full of memorable gaming moments. The giant haunted estate, in which your character spends plenty of time investigating rumors of the paranormal for his old war buddy, is a horrifying experience and the game spooked me so much I even caught myself glancing behind my shoulder when I played it at night. Clive Barker was fully involved in the game's development and it shows. As the story unravels in the game, gamers are treated to an almost movie-like experience.

It's been a few years since Undying was released, but its graphics can still compete with current games and the game adds a superb compliment of artwork and sounds to top off the experience. And that's what this game is -- an experience! If you don't have headphones or an expensive set of PC speakers, you truly do miss out on the experience of playing this game. Because of the game's age, Undying isn't much of a system hog and most computers will be able to run it smoothly.

Clive Barker's Undying is a wonderful game with a top notch story to go with a truly creative weapons and magic system. I recommend that anyone who hasn't played Clive Barker's Undying yet, pick it up before it's gone forever. There are still quite a few copies of the game available on the Game Trading Zone so you shouldn't have much of a problem obtaining it. It's quite cheap at the moment, so you won't be giving up much to play it. Whether you're playing it for the first time or replaying it to relive the magic moments again, make sure you turn off the lights, crank the volume up, and prepare yourself for a one of a kind PC gaming experience!

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