Blair Witch game doesn’t hit the mark for a truly terrifying experience

While the Blair Witch game manages to set itself apart from the movie franchise, the game doesn’t quite hit the mark when it comes to a truly terrifying experience, writes Stephanie “Hex” Bendixsen.

Yes, this is a game based on that movie. I remember seeing it as a teenager, and getting totally sucked-in by the premise. Found footage suddenly brought to light and released.

Unknown actors, shaky POV footage. It was clever, inexpensive to make and made a ton of money at the box office.

Now, 20 years later (gosh, that’s a kick in the guts), the Blair Witch still haunts us — as the franchise spawns a new story and a new video game.

Set a couple of years after the events of the original film, former cop and war veteran Ellis makes his way to the Black Hills Forest to help join the search for a missing boy, nine-year-old Peter Shannon.

Through mobile phone conversations with his girlfriend and some intermittent radio communication with the Sheriff, we learn that Ellis suffers from some mental health issues. Luckily, we have Bullet by our side, a trusty police dog and loyal companion.

I must say, though it is reassuring having the companionship of a dog to help guide you through the forest, pick up on scents and alert you to danger — the added emotional investment means not only are you afraid for your own life — but that of your sweet furry friend as well.

If anything were to happen to that dog, it’d be an instant rage-quit from me.

The story is just a clever way to refresh the old premise with some new scares.

Much of the intro to the game is spent trying to piece together as much information as you can about the character you’re playing.

There seem to be problems with his relationship. The mental health issues he struggles with are apparently related to his leaving the police force. And, most notably; he feels somehow responsible for the disappearance of this child.

It’s a really great set-up for what is a mysterious and well-paced thriller, and I found myself crashing headfirst into the forest, desperate to learn more.

The deeper we get into the woods, the stranger it gets.

Bullet and I land some early wins in terms of clues — clothing for him to do some scent-tracking, the discovery of an abandoned campsite … but of course, pretty soon all the classic Blair Witch calling-cards begin to appear.

Stick-figures in the trees, strange carved effigies and deliberately-placed piles of rocks.

It’s enough to set Ellis on edge and the tension-building creates a marvellous sense of unease.

There are few moments of actual ‘horror’ in the Blair Witch — but the best thrillers create terror with what you don’t see. Blair Witch does this rather well.

The forest itself seems to cast shadows that make you jump, but much like the 1999 film — your heart and mind races more in the moments when you’re waiting for something to happen, than when it actually does.

That’s not to say there’s no action in this game — it certainly has its high-intensity moments. While it is an experience primarily about finding clues and piecing together the story, there are nasty things in the woods that can and will kill you if you’re not quick enough.

Going into this, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect in terms of story — the original urban legend seemed played-out and I struggled to imagine how they’d make this feel new and original.

There are few moments of actual ‘horror’ in Blair Witch, it’s more about the narrative.

But the story is just that — entirely unexpected and a clever way to refresh this old scare with some exciting new ones.

Knowledge of the original story is expected but by no means essential — this stands on its own as an exciting take on the original idea that will capture the imaginations of old fans and ‘Blair Witch’ newbies alike.

I’d even go so far as to say it didn’t really need to be connected to this franchise at all. Though, in this era of reboots, remakes and never-ending sequels — I suppose I can understand the default opinion that if you can piggyback off a well-known franchise you’ll be more successful. The fact is, it unfortunately seems to be true.

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What I found disappointing was that things perhaps unravelled a little too quickly.

There was more of an opportunity to savour the experience of uncovering the truth (though admittedly one can only wander around a forest for so long), and I wish that a little more time was taken to reveal the major moments.

It rushed toward a conclusion that I felt robbed me of what was otherwise building to something a lot scarier than I actually ended up with.

Nevertheless, I appreciated the journey and it reminded me of previous walking-thriller games like Amnesia or Layers of Fear.

Ultimately, this is more about the narrative than it is about the scares — which although sets itself apart from its cinema predecessor with loftier intentions, the game perhaps doesn’t quite hit the mark when it comes to a truly terrifying experience.