Silly Polly Beast

I wasn't sure what to expect from Silly Polly Beast, the brainchild of lone developer Andrei Chernyshov - promises of a narrative-driven horror shooter certainly conjoured gothic imagery, but after playing the game I'll tell you this - this is on my list for game of the year, which is a hell of an achievement for the work of one man.

You play as Polly, the luckless orphan recently released from her torturous temporary home and thrust into the bowels of the underworld, a strange and unsettling locale in which she'll face demons, both literal and personal, before she can be reunited with her sister. To achieve this, she must destroy the three demons keeping a tortured soul captive and earn her freedom.

At it's core, Silly Polly Beast is a shooter that switches between isometric 3D and scrolling sections, armed with guns, larvae grenades and your trusted skateboard, which handily doubles as a melee weapon. Your initial pistol can be refilled via flaming cans that are dotted around, but you're limited to 6 shots and you'll need to use those wisely. The Skateboard is linked to a short stamina bar, so three hits and you'll need to retreat to recharge. It's as much a battle of limited resources as it is with the evil around you, but these are your only weapons to start with. You'll need them too, as you're up against hordes of evil demons, many wearing masks which can be collected in order to unlock new skills (or even wear to keep similarly covered threats away from you). Help is on hand though - an underworld rebellion has been started and these soldiers will show you how to use portals to traverse planes, provide you with goods and accessories and even point you in the right direction - altogether it's a rich and fascinating world to get lost - and kill things - in.

I love the monstrous designs, clever use of perspective and shading - it's artful in every sense. Not sure the red heels match that outfit though.

I had an absolute blast playing this game - still am in fact - as the challenge is tough but mostly fair. The game is divided into areas which you'll need to clear. Running in all guns blazing will get you nowhere, the enemy is too smart for that, launching grenades, firing back and working hard to surround you. Some enemies explode, others carry shields and there's always something new and deadly out to kill you. They never react the same way twice, which is what makes the game so compelling - you'll need to use a variety of tactics and ideas to think your way out of each area, keeping your mind whirling as you try to find the best route to the next area and start thinking all over again. Enemies can hurt each other, which is a great touch and often a good way to thin the herd if you're quick and clever. Downed enemies will drop random items which can be crucial (health especially) but they are essential considering how expensive the shop is, further stretching your limited resources. Life is not easy for Polly.

Speaking of, the game autosaves on entering every new environment, but this can be a curse if you enter low on health and ammo, because that's the state you're stuck in until you progress, and that can be an absolute bloody nightmare - areas that would be easy at full strength become a one-hit kill zone requiring a completely different approach. It forces you to get creative but since Polly is such an appealing character, I felt obliged to put the work in. Frustrating as that was at times, the thrill of completing it (especially when an enemy drops some chocolate for you to heal with) is a genuine rush. The fog is a bitch though - having found myself in such a situation and having skilfully survived all the enemies, I ran into what I thought was a doorway only to get skewered by the fog and having to start again - the Steam Deck (yes it works a treat) was in genuine danger of a trip through the window, I can tell you.

Anyway. The game positively drips atmosphere. Music is minimal, meaning every scrape, moan and rattle sets you on edge. Boss encounters will kick in some serious rock and at one stage there's an actual concert going on, but mostly it's the dread of quiet corridors and baleful moans that provide the soundtrack to your misery.

Polly is a mute and it's clear that she has severe psychological damage from her time at the orphanage, times you'll relive via flashbacks and even in current events going on around you, which leads one to wonder just how much of this is real. Elements of the past invade the present and the overall arc of the story is just wonderfully interwoven with your adventure, granting everything a sense of weight - you'll have options to make choices throughout the game, some of which will end the story, so while you have a lot to learn about Polly, you also have a lot of control over her story.

The art direction is just stellar, those blinking, watchful eyes appear in many places...

Graphically the game is inventive and varied. The perspectives are augmented by clever use of shadowing, changing styles and Tim Burton-esque warped landscapes, you never know what you'll see next and that really does add a sense of dread and wonder to Polly's journey. 

Alongside the fighting and main story, you'll be invited to partake in side-quests and mini-games (one involves riding the skateboard) as well as learning chants that can grant abilities such as summoning spikes or even flying. This adds even more flavour to the game and plays into how you'll take down bosses, each of which have certain vulnerabilities you'll need to exploit in order to move on.

There are certain elements that are rough around the edges, but in this instance I actually found that just added to Polly's nightmare - it shouldn't be super slick and polished, though honestly nothing janky (the odd texture here and there) takes away from the gameplay, which is sharp, responsive and thrilling.

This is a hard game to put down. Writing about it, I've found myself glancing at my Steam Deck and wanting another blast. It's borderline addictive - I love the heroine, the world and the combat, it's all just so much fun to be absorbed into, creepy and monstrous as it is. That this all came from one man is staggering - this is pure talent on display, demonstrating an innate understanding of form and function, narrative and depth that I haven't often seen from fully staffed studios of late - this is indie gaming plus and I'm blown away by it. 

Now go away, I need to kill demons again.