Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Kabus 22 delivers a tense, methodical gameplay loop that will feel instantly familiar to fans of classic survival horror. Players navigate claustrophobic corridors, dimly lit rooms, and sprawling outdoor areas while managing limited resources and mapping out the safest path forward. The control scheme is responsive, though it leans into the deliberate pace typical of late-90s and early-00s horror titles, encouraging careful planning over run-and-gun tactics.

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Combat is built around three distinct protagonists: Demir and Ebru wield firearms and melee strikes to stagger foes, while Inzar’s hybrid approach blends swift martial arts with elemental magic. Switching between characters on the fly lets you experiment with different strategies—Ebru’s precise handgun shots soften targets, Demir’s shotgun blasts clear groups, and Inzar’s spells can freeze or paralyze tougher opponents. This variety keeps encounters fresh and forces you to think about your loadout before every skirmish.

Puzzle design in Kabus 22 follows a familiar template—find keys, activate switches, solve light-on-dark spatial riddles—but there are moments of genuine creativity. Some puzzles require combining clues from different character perspectives: perhaps Demir notices a hidden inscription on a wall, while Inzar can use magic to reveal a secret compartment. These multi-step challenges pause the tension, offering a mental breather before the next monster ambush.

The game strikes a careful balance between challenge and accessibility. Ammo and health pickups are scarce enough to keep the tension high, but generous save-points prevent frustration. On harder difficulties, enemy placement and trap timing will punish careless exploration, while newcomers can enjoy a more forgiving mode that still maintains the game’s suspenseful atmosphere.

Graphics

Kabus 22’s visual style pays homage to early survival horror classics with a modern polish. Pre-rendered backgrounds blend seamlessly with real-time character models, creating richly detailed environments—from decaying industrial halls to moonlit courtyards. Texture work on walls and floors is crisp, and dynamic lighting effects cast long, foreboding shadows that heighten the game’s oppressive mood.

The character models of Demir, Ebru, and Inzar are well-animated, with fluid idle motions and believable recoil when firing weapons. Enemy designs range from grotesque cultists to otherworldly creatures, each animated with jerky, unsettling movements that underscore their unnatural origins. Boss encounters showcase the best of the engine: larger set-pieces, elaborate multi-stage attacks, and finely tuned visual cues that telegraph enemy behavior.

Particle effects—such as Inzar’s frost spells or shotgun blast sparks—add visceral feedback to each encounter. Environmental effects like dripping water, flickering lights, and rolling fog contribute to a tense atmosphere. Cutscenes, presented in engine, maintain consistent character proportions and avoid jarring transitions, helping immerse you in the narrative flow.

Performance is generally stable across platforms, with smooth framerates on modern hardware. Load times between areas are brief, and options for resolution scaling and texture detail let you optimize visual fidelity or speed. While not groundbreaking, the graphics succeed in creating a moody, coherent world that supports the game’s horror elements.

Story

Set in Turkey at the turn of the millennium, Kabus 22 spins a chilling tale of a mysterious cult led by a figure known only as Messiah. As ordinary citizens fall under his influence and become mindless servants, strange, monstrous entities emerge to roam the land. The protagonists—Demir, Ebru, and the enigmatic Inzar—are drawn into the mystery, hoping to sever the link between the cult and its nightmarish creations.

Each character brings a unique perspective to the unfolding drama. Demir is a former soldier haunted by past failures; Ebru is a determined investigative journalist seeking the truth; and Inzar is a rogue mystic with his own hidden agenda. Their storylines intertwine, with key revelations revealed through character-specific flashbacks and overheard cult communiqués. This shifting viewpoint keeps the narrative engaging, as you piece together the broader conspiracy one chapter at a time.

The pacing mirrors that of classic Resident Evil installments: slow builds of atmospheric tension punctuated by sudden bursts of terror. Key story beats—such as unmasking a cult lieutenant or discovering a long-hidden ritual chamber—are staged like mini set-pieces, complete with environmental storytelling and audio cues that ratchet up the suspense. Occasional dialogue and cutscenes deepen character bonds, though some lines feel a bit on the nose.

What truly sells the story is its sense of place. The game makes excellent use of Turkish architecture and folklore, from crumbling stone bridges to underground water cisterns repurposed as sacrificial sites. This cultural specificity gives Kabus 22 a flavor all its own, helping it stand apart from the many survival horror tales set in generic mansions or urban wastelands.

Overall Experience

Kabus 22 is a commendable revival of vintage survival horror sensibilities, refreshed with modern graphical touches and streamlined controls. The blend of three playable heroes, each with distinct combat styles, ensures gameplay variety, while the puzzle mechanics encourage exploration and critical thinking. Fans of methodical tension and thoughtful design will find plenty to admire here.

The game’s narrative, rooted in a unique cultural backdrop, offers a fresh twist on cult-and-monster tropes, though it occasionally relies on familiar horror clichés. Sound design and musical cues effectively build suspense, and the strategic scarcity of resources keeps every encounter fraught with risk. On the downside, some side areas feel under-utilized, and a handful of puzzles border on repetitive.

Replayability is bolstered by unlockable difficulty modes and alternative ending paths tied to key decisions made by each protagonist. New Game Plus preserves your inventory and upgrades, inviting you to tackle the game again with refined strategies. Collectible lore documents and hidden areas also reward meticulous exploration.

For those craving a nostalgic journey through dark corridors, cryptic puzzles, and pulse-pounding confrontations, Kabus 22 delivers a satisfying package. Its cultural setting, varied protagonists, and faithful homage to survival horror classics make it a standout choice for genre enthusiasts and newcomers looking for a compelling, atmospheric adventure.

Retro Replay Score

5.8/10