Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Fallen EP-1 places you in the worn shoes of Roman Mendez, a prison inmate whose daring escape quickly takes a nightmarish turn. The core of the gameplay revolves around exploration, puzzle-solving, and resource management reminiscent of classic survival horror titles. Roman can navigate through over 40 distinct locations, each carefully designed to elicit suspense and unease as you search for clues and hidden pathways.

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Movement and interaction mechanics are deceptively simple, letting you focus on tense moments rather than complex controls. You’ll pick up items, manage an inventory grid, and interact with environmental objects, balancing the need to carry essential tools against limited storage space. Along the way, you’ll engage in more than 10 special mini-games—ranging from lockpicking challenges to circuit-repair puzzles—that break up the exploration with satisfying variety.

Combat encounters are sparse but impactful. Facing off against the mutated creatures that roam the penitentiary forces you to think strategically: do you confront threats head-on with limited ammunition, or do you sneak past them to conserve precious resources? This decision-driven approach heightens the tension and mirrors the best of Resident Evil and Silent Hill’s survival ethos.

Graphics

Despite its 2.5D perspective, Fallen EP-1 boasts highly detailed environments that enhance its atmospheric horror. The developers employ dynamic lighting and shadow effects to transform narrow corridors and empty cell blocks into claustrophobic nightmares. Flickering overhead lamps and blood-stained walls underscore the prison’s derelict state, keeping you on edge as you inch forward.

Character models are suitably rugged, and Roman’s battered clothing and gaunt expression tell their own story of desperation. While not photorealistic, the art style strikes a balance between stylized grit and moody realism. Animations—especially during creature encounters—are fluid enough to convey jerky, unnatural movements that amplify the horror.

Attention to environmental detail is a standout feature. Scattered newspaper clippings, abandoned weapons, and cryptic messages scrawled on the walls fill each room with narrative breadcrumbs. Coupled with subtle ambient sound design—distant screams, dripping water, echoing footsteps—the visual presentation cements Fallen EP-1’s eerie world.

Story

Fallen EP-1 serves as a gripping prologue to the larger Fallen survival horror saga. From the moment Roman Mendez realizes the penitentiary is eerily deserted, a sense of dread permeates every interaction. Who or what drove the other inmates away? And what twisted experiments have given rise to the nightmarish creatures you now face?

The narrative unfolds through environmental storytelling, overheard conversations, and journal entries you discover in hidden pockets. Roman’s own backstory—as a convicted criminal seeking redemption—adds personal stakes to every revelation. Each mini-game unlocks new fragments of the prison’s dark past, drawing you deeper into a conspiracy that hints at supernatural forces and clandestine research.

Dialogue sequences are concise yet impactful, giving Roman opportunities to question mysterious notes or decipher coded messages. This interactive storytelling keeps you engaged and encourages thorough exploration. By the time you solve the final puzzle, you’ll be desperate to uncover what lies ahead in Episode 2.

Overall Experience

As a standalone prologue, Fallen EP-1 nails the art of suspense without overextending its welcome. Clocking in at around three to five hours for a complete playthrough, it offers a tightly paced introduction to Roman’s harrowing journey. The brisk runtime ensures that tension remains high and filler content is minimal.

Fallen EP-1’s homage to genre greats is clear, yet it carves out its own identity through inventive mini-games and a richly detailed prison setting. The integration of over 40 explorable areas keeps exploration fresh, while the inventory-management and puzzle elements provide satisfying mental challenges. Combat is sparse but memorable, underscoring the vulnerability that defines survival horror.

For fans of atmospheric, story-driven horror, Fallen EP-1 delivers an engaging glimpse into a twisted world. It sets up tantalizing mysteries while providing a polished gameplay loop worthy of follow-up episodes. If you’re craving a modern throwback to Resident Evil and Silent Hill’s glory days, this prologue is a must-play before diving into the rest of the Fallen series.

Retro Replay Score

null/10