Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The core of Viy: A Story Told Anew is its classic adventure framework, revamped through full-motion video sequences. Players navigate a series of static 3D environments, clicking on hotspots to interact with objects, gather clues and advance the narrative. Rather than a sprawling open world, each scene is carefully framed to heighten suspense, encouraging thorough exploration and close attention to detail.

Puzzles in Viy range from inventory-based challenges—combining and using items in inventive ways—to logic tests that require decoding folk symbols or matching psalm verses. While some puzzles feel intuitive and organically tied to the story, a few lean toward trial-and-error. Hints are scarce, so players who relish deep thinking will find a satisfying challenge, but newcomers to the genre may occasionally struggle without consulting a walkthrough.

Interspersed among the investigation sequences are a handful of arcade-style mini games. Three of these are mandatory to unlock pivotal plot points: a timing-based ritual sequence, a memory card match of folkloric symbols and a reflex-driven chase through a candlelit corridor. These segments break up the slower investigative pace, but their mechanics can feel uneven—lengthy loading times and abrupt camera cuts sometimes undermine their tension.

Graphics

Viy’s visual identity is defined by its FMV components: real actors in period costumes set against meticulously rendered 3D backdrops. The craftsmanship in the costumes, hair and makeup help the characters leap off the screen, while the subtle flicker of candlelight across their faces adds a layer of authenticity rarely seen in the adventure genre.

The pre-rendered environments capture the moody atmosphere of a 19th-century Ukrainian village. Textured wooden floors, moss-covered church walls and overgrown forest paths are all lovingly detailed, with dynamic lighting that shifts subtly as Khoma moves from one tableau to the next. The interplay of shadows and flickering lantern light amplifies the game’s horror themes, making each new room an exercise in creeping dread.

However, the marriage of live-action footage and 3D backgrounds isn’t flawless. At times, camera angles misalign, causing slight “floating” effects around character feet, and texture resolution can drop noticeably on lower-end PCs. When everything lines up, though, the result is a visually striking blend of theater and interactive cinema that few adventure titles attempt.

Story

Faithful to Nikolai Gogol’s original horror tale, Viy: A Story Told Anew immerses you in the superstitions and folk beliefs of 19th-century Ukraine. You assume the role of Khoma Brut, a seminary philosopher unexpectedly tasked with safeguarding Sotnik’s daughter as she passes from life to death. The narrative unfolds with deliberate pacing, drawing you into the ritual’s mounting tension over three harrowing nights.

Character interactions are delivered through branching dialogue choices that influence which scenes you unlock and which clues you uncover. Secondary characters—villagers, clergy and fellow mourners—are voiced and filmed with conviction, though some side-conversations feel underdeveloped. Overall, the game’s strong narrative spine keeps you invested, even when pacing slows between key supernatural events.

While Viy largely preserves Gogol’s finale, the developers have introduced an alternate “good” ending, rewarding players who make specific choices and successfully complete optional challenges. The original climax still exists as a “bad” ending, accessible only by deviating from the ideal path. This branching structure adds replay value for completionists and fans of the source material alike.

Overall Experience

Viy: A Story Told Anew delivers a singular atmosphere that blends horror, folklore and interactive drama. The ambient soundscape—wind rustling through trees, distant church bells, whispered prayers—seduces you into a state of unease, complemented by a haunting choral score. Jump scares are sparse but effective, relying more on mood and mounting dread than cheap thrills.

Technically, the game runs smoothly on modern hardware, though FMV titles can be demanding on storage and streaming performance. The user interface is minimalistic, with clear icons and an intuitive inventory system. Subtitles are well-timed, and voice performances range from earnest to pitch-perfectly eerie, grounding the supernatural elements in convincing emotion.

In the end, Viy: A Story Told Anew is best suited for adventure gamers and horror enthusiasts intrigued by Slavic folklore and FMV storytelling. Its puzzles may occasionally frustrate, and the FMV blend isn’t without flaws, but the game’s unique setting and faithful adaptation of Gogol’s classic tale make it an engrossing purchase for those seeking something off the beaten path.

Retro Replay Score

null/10