UPDATE: It is a sad day. I failed in listening to the warning that this game does not work on iPad mini. While it worked flawlessly in episodes 1 and 2, I hit a point where a puzzle simply wouldn’t work and I am stuck on episode 3 forever. Kids, don’t take my lead. Unless you have the regular iPad, DON’T get this game. And it says it should work on my iPhone 4S which is lies because the “analog” controls I loved so much aren’t there, leaving moving about virtually impossible. I’m sorry I couldn’t finish this review 🙁

Welcome to the Attic, where we trust in fear.

In Fear I Trust is a first person, puzzle-solving horror game that can be purchased through the app store for $2.99 currently. It is made by Chillingo Ltd. Now it states this: PLEASE NOTE: Not compatible with iPad mini, iPhone 4 and iPod touch devices. For the most terrifying In Fear I Trust experience iPhone 4S and newer devices are recommended. However, I have had no issues playing this on my iPad mini.

Much like Telltale’s The Walking Dead game, during the loading screen it recommends that you play with headphones on. And I definitely agree. There are some creaks and bangs and a lot of creepy noises going on around you that would be easily missed if you didn’t have headphones or earbuds on. It appears the game is split into three (for now?) episodes, so this will only cover episode one… But first I want to introduce the game itself, and its controls.

One of my favorite aspects of this game is the control system. As I said, you use your thumbs to pinch in and out to go back and forth from your normal vision to Retrospective. You also have a journal that logs every piece of information you pick up along the way. To bring that up you simply swipe your thumbs up to view, and down to hide it again. I love that you can go back and re-read all this stuff. Now the best part is how you move and look around. Unlike the Walking Dead, which is a very “point-and-click” style game on the ios, this game has “analog sticks” on the bottom corners of the screen. It makes the experience feel a lot more like playing on a console. Holding an iPad mini in this manner is especially comfortable. Using these digital sticks is very refreshing, and a nice touch that I hope more ios games utilize. It’s incredibly smooth and seamless.

I really like the puzzle-solving aspect in this game. They’re hard enough to be challenging, without making you want to kill yourself. Even unlocking doors will bring up a mini screen where you get to “turn” the key yourself in little circles. That part of it reminds me a lot of The Room on ios. I’ve played both of those and absolutely rave about them. In Fear I Trust definitely falls along those lines, but this is more about the experience and environment than all about puzzles. It’s a good balance. Now onto the game itself:

In Fear I Trust: Episode 1 – Waking Up

You wake up in what appears to be an abandoned prison. It reminds me a lot of Alcatraz. Paint peeling off the decrepit walls and not a soul in sight. You have no idea what is going on or who you are. Sitting up from the cot in your cell, you find a cassette recorder at your feet. The game explains that there are many of these, and other types of clues throughout the game that you can more easily spot using the game’s Retrospective mode. By pinching the screen in from the sides it switches over to a slightly tinted vision of the area around you. You cannot stay in this view the entire time, and it takes a little bit to recharge, so use it sparingly. I LOVE how many times I’ve seen apparitions early on. This game is not very scary, to be honest. But it is creepy. And it’s a fun experience.

It’s a trip. I finished the first chapter and I’m not sure if this is more about ghosts or government conspiracies (I want to believe, heh) or both. And frankly I’m ok not knowing yet. It’s what has me so enthralled with the story. There are hints of different types of testing on subjects and doctors trying some odd surgeries on their patients. A large operating room leads you to understand more of what the hell has been going on at this place. But the question remains, where is everybody? A note explains that two of the subjects were sadly lost. There is mention of “men in grey suits,” who appear to be superhuman to both the inmates and the other doctors working alongside them.

Throughout the course of the first chapter you learn that you are Subject 17, but learn little else of yourself. It’s an interesting game so far, but I wish the episodes were a little longer. I played the first one in about 40 minutes. But considering the game was only $2.99 for three episodes, and there may be more later, that’s not too bad. Check back next Monday for my experiences with episode two!

Stay scared,
Dark Princess