Things Have Learned to Walk That Ought to Crawl: Exploring the Depths of Signalis
Sometimes, community suggestions can transform a worthwhile and intriguing video game into an unexpected descent into existential horror. Signalis is a prime example of such a transformation. Initially relegated to the "backlog void," Signalis garnered attention through numerous recommendations. A glance at the trailer suggested a tribute to 90s survival horror, but the game quickly revealed itself to be something far more profound. From the ominously distorted number station call in German to the flickering text quoting H.P. Lovecraft, Signalis immediately captivates the player with its unsettling atmosphere. The main menu alone is a treasure trove of secrets, reminiscent of the symbolic cryptography found in the original Silent Hill.
A Symphony of Survival Horror Influences
Signalis is undeniably a tribute to survival horror, drawing inspiration from horror literature such as Robert W. Chambers' "The King in Yellow" and H.P. Lovecraft's "The Festival." The former even makes a literal appearance in the opening sequence. Silent Hill 2 is also referenced early on with a mirror scene. However, Signalis doesn't merely rehash familiar tropes; it uses these influences as a foundation to build something unique.
Against the backdrop of a dystopian, post-humanity society expanding into space, Signalis tells a gut-wrenching story of futility, loss, and love. The game plunges players into a world where the lines between reality and nightmare blur, challenging their perceptions and leaving a lasting impact.
Waking Up to a Distorted Reality
The game begins with Elster, a Replika (a human/machine hybrid), awakening from cryogenic sleep aboard the Penrose-512. Tasked with maintaining the vessel during its transit, Elster quickly discovers that something is amiss. The ship has crashed on an unknown planet, and there is no sign of the Gestalt passenger who was supposed to be in cryogenic storage with her.
As Elster investigates, she finds cryptic clues, including a decayed photograph. After combining a broken key in a nod to Resident Evil's mechanics, she ventures out into the icy landscape, discovering an artificial-looking hole leading to an old radio station. Inside, a vault with three locks, strange paintings, and radio equipment hint at a deeper mystery. A number station crackles to life, and the screen flashes with images of an island, Elster's decaying form, and a mysterious girl with white hair accompanied by the words "Remember our Promise" and "Wake up." This onslaught of analogue horror sets the stage for the unsettling journey ahead.
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Delving into S23-Sierpinski
Exiting the radio station, Elster finds herself in S23-Sierpinski, an abandoned AEON facility. The game evokes nostalgia for the 90s and early 2000s era of survival horror. Players explore the facility, unlocking rooms and finding items, but with a modern twist. The clunky tank controls of the past are replaced with smooth, responsive movement, while claustrophobic hallways and debris-filled paths create a sense of dread.
The facility is eerily silent, save for the humming of machinery and the watchful eyes of security cameras. Elster soon encounters a fatally wounded unit who urges her to go deeper into the mines. After waking up in the mining facility, the photograph of the white-haired girl has changed to a brown-haired woman resembling Ariane, the girl from the cryogenic chamber, now identified as Alina Seo. Driven by this clue, Elster investigates the facility, discovering that the Gestalt forms are dead and the remaining Replikas are succumbing to a mysterious infection.
Descent into Madness
Through scattered papers and diary entries, Elster uncovers a deeper conspiracy. Adler, the logistical overseer, pushes her down an elevator shaft, warning, "You shouldn't have returned." Elster survives the fall, landing on a pile of dead LSTER units, suggesting this isn't the first time this has happened. Adler's journal entries reveal his belief that he is experiencing memories from other realities.
As Elster delves deeper into the mines, the world around her transforms into a grotesque landscape of flesh and metal, reminiscent of Silent Hill. She learns that Falke, the commanding unit of the facility, investigated a mysterious discovery at the bottom of the mine and was never the same afterward. Crossing the threshold, Elster finds the Penrose in a crimson field with black monoliths and the corpses of LSTER units.
Multiple Layers of Reality
The initial ending is just a fake-out, leading to further exploration. Elster finds herself aboard the Penrose again, this time with Ariane. But their brief moment of happiness is shattered as Elster is pulled back into the nightmare. She finds herself inside a dilapidated version of the Penrose, where ominous messages warn about the lifespan of Replikas and Gestalts.
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In the cryochamber, Elster finds another LSTER unit, takes an arm and armor, and is transported to a similar facility on Rotfront. The doorways are now covered with heaps of flesh, and reality continues to distort. At the end of the fleshy layers, Elster encounters Falke in a room resembling the cryochamber on the Penrose.
The Truth Behind the Corruption
Falke reveals that when the mining team uncovered a mysterious gateway, she looked through it and witnessed the indescribable nature of eternity. She was exposed to Ariane's bioresonant abilities and received the memories of Elster-512, her dead lover. These memories began to overwrite Falke's personality, leaving her comatose. The scattered diary entries throughout the game are fragments of her psyche.
From here, the player can unlock one of four endings, each offering a different interpretation of the events.
A Deep Resonation with Cosmic Horror
Signalis is a game that resonates deeply, particularly for those who appreciate cosmic horror. The developers have meticulously crafted a bleak and indifferent hellscape that feels both coherent and alien. Every interaction reveals new layers of foreshadowing and detail.
The game's core mechanics pay homage to the early days of survival horror. The limited inventory of only six slots forces players to carefully manage resources and strategize for different situations. An arsenal of weaponry, ranging from pistols and shotguns to machine guns and flares, can be found throughout the journey. Rare flares and thermite charges can permanently eliminate enemies, but their scarcity makes them valuable resources.
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Mastering the Mechanics of Survival
Key items generally don't take up much inventory space, and save rooms are strategically placed to minimize backtracking. Combat is satisfying, with weapons that feel powerful. The auto-lock system allows players to target enemies, with the targeting square indicating accuracy. However, the console version can suffer from aiming issues, causing the lock-on to jump erratically, leading to missed shots and the need to avoid rooms with multiple enemies.
The Power of Radio
The radio is a core mechanic in Signalis. By tuning into various frequencies, players can interact with the game world in different ways, such as solving puzzles or disrupting the bioresonant frequencies of enemies like the Kolibri. When encountering a Kolibri, the screen flashes with seemingly random text, often in German, quoting Revelation 8 or passages from "The King in Yellow." This mechanic creates a tangible connection between gameplay and story.
Narrative Boss Fights
The boss fights in Signalis are more narrative beats and puzzles than traditional combat encounters. Figuring out how to deal with them is a rewarding experience. Instead of simply relying on ammunition, players must often exploit specific mechanics, such as surviving for a certain amount of time or using the radio to disrupt the monsters' brainwaves.
A Masterpiece of Storytelling
Signalis is a mesmerizing blend of storytelling, atmosphere, and psychological horror. Itâs a game that stays with you long after the credits roll, prompting reflection and discussion. While some may find the story vague or the references too overt, Signalis ultimately succeeds in creating a unique and unforgettable experience.
The Festival: A Glimpse into Lovecraftian Horror
H.P. Lovecraft's short story "The Festival" shares thematic similarities with Signalis, particularly in its exploration of ancient rituals, hidden horrors, and the fragility of reality. The story follows an unnamed narrator who travels to the old town of Kingsport to participate in a mysterious festival.
As the narrator delves deeper into the town's history and its strange inhabitants, he uncovers a sinister secret that challenges his understanding of the world. He witnesses a bizarre procession that leads to a subterranean crypt, where he encounters grotesque creatures and participates in a horrifying ritual.
"The Festival" is a prime example of Lovecraftian horror, emphasizing the insignificance of humanity in the face of cosmic forces and the terrifying consequences of forbidden knowledge. The story's themes of isolation, paranoia, and the breakdown of reality resonate with the unsettling atmosphere of Signalis, further solidifying its place within the survival horror genre.
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