SIGNALIS: My Introduction to Survival Horror

4th February 2023

(Spoilers ahead.)

Signalis was my first introduction to this can of worm called Survival Horror. I started playing it utterly oblivious to what kind of gameplay I could expect from it since my knowledge of the genre was simply “Zombies and Tank Controls”.

I expected to go in guns blazing and solve normal puzzles like “There’s a hexagonal key, now put it in a hexagonal hole.” Hell, I might have a black hole for inventory like 99% of games out there. An inventory so gigantic that at the end of the game, will contain all substances to have ever existed.

So imagine the face of a man who was not prepared for cryptic puzzle-solving, tons of rooms and floors that are often not entirely linear, inventory as small as pockets in a pair of skinny jeans, and a story more cryptic than Baki Spin-off: Chin Chin Man. (Don’t look it up.)

I listened to the soundtrack on the bus. I was very surprised I was when I finished the entire thing fully concentrating on each and every track. Not even treating it as a background noise, not even letting go of any metallic sounds on reverb, I was completely hypnotized by the entire thing. I don’t usually finish an entire OST in one sitting but it was just THAT good.

The sounds of Signalis were mesmerizing. It wasn’t just scary, it was unique. The soundtrack evoked all kinds of extreme emotions inside me and my body yearns to know all the peculiar contexts behind them. Thus, a serious playthrough was commenced.

Headphones, check. Controller, check. Gaming caffeinated drinks, check. A Wiki Walkthrough Guide on the secondary monitor, check. Yo boy, Neet, has once again embarked on a journey in this disturbing universe. I took more time figuring out the puzzles but even then I still needed to look up guidance during some parts.

While I started to slowly understand how Survival Horrors are played better, my path to enlightenment began.

“My bad, I forgot this room existed.”

“So that microphone thing was for my radio which I forgot was a mechanic that existed.”

“I don’t need nearly this much ammunition.”

“I can take risks and be nimble with an empty inventory.”

While I still dislike some parts of the genre, I now get Survival Horror. It's satisfying to manage what you carry and smug at a successful gamble. It was interesting to see more complicated puzzles. It was fun to learn to maneuver for survival.

What’s the next step with me and Survival Horror? Signalis left a good taste in my mouth! I plan to dive deeper. Next on my plate is Alisa and the Resident Evil franchise. (Yes, I haven’t played any RE games. I know. Even I find it hard to believe sometimes.)

Neet out.

P.S. Neet from 2025 transferring blogs here. I've played RE2 Remake and the original RE4, love em. Also finished Alisa, Crow Country, Hollowbody, Silent Hill 2 Remake, The Evil Within 2 (imma be real the first game was too hard for me), Sorry We're Closed, yeah I'm a fan of the genre now haha it's fun.

I do find myself enjoying more responsive modern controls. Even with Alisa, playing with the modern setting via the d-pad felt better to me than tank.