Game Review: "One-Eyed Evil" – A Horror in the Style of Eggers

Contents:

• Don’t wake up Likho…
• …while it is quiet

At one point in his adventure, Odysseus found himself in the lair of the Cyclops Polyphemus, who began devouring his comrades one by one. Using cunning, the hero got the giant drunk and then gouged out his only eye. The survivors managed to escape the Cyclops's cave by disguising themselves as sheep. Surprisingly, is there a connection between this ancient Greek story and the tale in which Afanasyev describes Likho the One-Eyed—also a giant who loses his sight, and whose victims are rescued under sheepskins? What about the Khanty of Kazym's Hula-Mala or the legend of the giant Deu, present in Kazakh culture? And what can be said about Tinin Visag from Chechen and Ingush legends? One shouldn't forget the adventures of Sinbad, which may also echo these stories.

It's unclear whether the universal motifs are myths or overlapping plots. Nevertheless, the one-eyed giant appears in the legends of many peoples: the hero typically blinds him and escapes by taking the form of an animal. Often, he makes some kind of sacrifice before escaping.

"The One-Eyed Evil" is not only a horror film based on a folk tale but also a profound exploration of archetypal myths. At the same time, it has a magnificent visual style, rich imagery, a well-developed plot and engaging gameplay.

Don't Wake Evil…

In the fairy tale of the same name, the main character, a blacksmith, gets drunk and sets out in search of Evil because his life has been too fortunate and he has never encountered any troubles. Although this motivation seems rather strange, it is understandable – who wouldn't want to find himself in such a situation? However, the game offers other options: the blacksmith can be unaware of grief, as in the original version, or ignorant of the light of God or the truth. While this choice does not change the main plot, it is still more enjoyable to search for Evil with a deeper existential purpose than simply out of boredom. One way or another, the blacksmith will still face adversity and find himself up to his ears in grief.

The Perm-based Mortyoshka Studio has long been immersed in the study of ancient myths and legends. Their project "Chelovekolos" (Human Voice) centers on Komi-Permyak myths, although this is not the only focus. "The Black Book" presents Cherdyn legends. However, in "One-Eyed Evil," the team attempts to capture the very essence of fairy tales—or myths, if you prefer. The result is impressive. The game's credits list over twenty scholarly sources and as many as eighteen different versions of the story of the one-eyed giants, demonstrating a serious approach to the material.

The blacksmith will face stages characteristic of fairy tales Themes mentioned by researcher Vladimir Propp. This process involves a transition from the world of the living to the realm of the dead, which occurs through a hut and burial, followed by a dark forest, a meeting with a magical helper, various trials, and rebirth and feasting. In this context, Likho plays the role of Yaga, as Yaga is only one of many names given to Likho. Researchers note numerous analogies between the myths and legends of various peoples featuring the one-eyed giant and link them to the story of the Blacksmith. This interpretation of the images seems quite convincing. For example, Baba Yaga in a number of tales displays traits of an adversary, which is initially characteristic of Likho. However, she also provides the heroes with a magical helper and sets them various trials, after which they are capable of rebirth. Moreover, one can notice many similarities between Yaga and the same Polyphemus, the one-eyed giant from Greek mythology.

At the end, "Mortёshka" offers an impressive conclusion to his analysis of the nature of Likho—I will not reveal it; it is worth discovering for yourself. While there won't be any shocking moments, the plot immediately takes on a larger-than-life dimension.

All this could easily become a legend. Over time, after many retellings, this story will take the form of a fairy tale—about the Blacksmith Likho, who searched and, to his regret, found. Or perhaps the Blacksmith simply follows in the footsteps of another character? And that character, in turn, imitates yet another hero, and so on indefinitely?

Fairy tales have timeless power, and their characters endlessly follow the same routes, successively replacing each other. Although the details may vary, the path itself remains unchanged. Such profound meanings can turn your head - and this is just one of the many vivid sensations that "One-Eyed Evil" provides.

…while it is quiet

The story of the Blacksmith itself is quite brief and, certainly, is not suitable for creating a full-fledged horror game lasting 5-6 hours. However, the key events, with some adjustments, remain unchanged in the game. In the original plot, the Blacksmith does not go to the Far Far Away Kingdom, but encounters Evil right in the hut. However, this option might seem insufficiently exciting, so in "One-Eyed Evil" the Blacksmith will have to go through a not too long, but adventurous path, inspired by other fairy tales and mythological stories.

The hero is accompanied by a magical companion, but this is no ordinary fairytale wolf—he may only become one once the story begins to spread. The dialogue with this assistant is masterfully written and beautifully breaks up a series of simple yet engaging tasks. The rare encounters with Likh are also a kind of puzzle: here you don't need to hide, as in Amnesia; it's much more important to avoid Likh's line of sight (pardon the tautology—his eye) and perform actions in a specific order.

This is probably the game's only drawback, and it's due solely to my personal expectations—it's not the game's fault. It would be exciting if the enemy became a colorful pursuer, chasing the protagonist through the corridors of the locations, like the Tyrant in the Resident Evil 2 remake. However, in reality, everything is much simpler.

Ultimately, the game doesn't evoke fear, as it lacks a real threat. However, it captivates with its unique mood, reminiscent of a creepy fairy tale a child might imagine, snuggled under a blanket with a flashlight and a scary book in hand.

Matches are used as a light source in the game. Although there is an unlimited supply, they quickly go out in your hands, which creates interesting gameplay moments. The match-based mechanic of setting objects on fire serves as the basis for many puzzles. These challenges are varied, but overall not particularly difficult, so you are unlikely to encounter a situation where you get stuck at any stage. This is nice, as the game has a well-oiled pacing, and it is advisable not to disrupt it. "One-Eyed Evil" always offers new plot twists, never letting the game slow down.

Furthermore, Morteshka has a distinct aesthetic and is simply captivating. While the game may lack technical perfection, it makes up for it with style. Its inspiration is clearly the films of Robert Eggers, especially The Lighthouse. This is where the black-and-white design comes from, which perfectly harmonizes with the game's atmosphere, as well as the use of a 4:3 aspect ratio and the many visual metaphors that can be seen in the cutscenes.

However, the similarities don't end there: "One-Eyed Evil" is filled with surreal images and deliberately absurd events—after all, it is a fairy tale, and in a fairy tale world, absolutely anything is possible. Locations, such as the Far Far Away Kingdom and other places visited by the Blacksmith, sometimes appear so bizarre that they resemble a strange, yet incredibly captivating dream. After waking up, there is a desire to write it all down on paper, but the words just won't come.

However, "One-Eyed Evil" isn't a purely dark story; it also has an element of humor, albeit a somewhat dark one. In this unusual, surreal narrative, this approach unexpectedly proves appropriate. By the end, the creators even enhance this trait, using minimal means to create a sense of awe in the player—the question arises whether to laugh or be horrified. It is certainly one of the most memorable and impressive scenes seen in a game in recent times, and it contrasts beautifully with the overall tense atmosphere. It is definitely worth seeing.

* * *

"One-Eyed Evil" impresses in almost every aspect. And those moments that fall short of perfection are executed to a high standard and with a heartfelt approach. It's surprising that such a profound and artistically rich work was born out of creative burnout: after the release of "Black Book," the studio decided to create something simpler.

During our interview, Vladimir Beletsky, head of the studio, shared his thoughts on the difficulties associated with finding a publisher. He noted that there are a huge number of similar projects, especially in the first-person horror genre, and many of them are more interesting to players. However, I disagree with this opinion: in reality, there aren't that many similar games. So, if you weren't expecting this game or haven't even heard of it before, congratulations – you have the opportunity to discover Likho for yourself. Don't be afraid to wake it up, you'll definitely like what happens next.