A Cold, Claustrophobic, Continuous Descent into Panic
There is something about being alone in space that taps into a primal fear, as ‘escape’ only leads to that final frontier. Narcissus knows this all too well, and it makes sure you never forget it.
This top-down action-horror experience drops players onto a doomed spaceship, where every corridor is dripping with dread and every second lost brings you closer to death. Unlike the barrage of roguelikes flooding the indie market, Narcissus stands apart by leaning into the horror of limited visibility. The darkness isn’t just an aesthetic choice here, it is a constant mechanic, swallowing up threats until it is far too late to react.
Multiple playable characters add variety to each run, each offering different starting perks and subtle narrative hints about the doomed vessel’s history. In true old school fashion, these different characters all have different weapons that can fit certain playstyles. Slow firing and reloading guns hit harder, and faster weapons don’t hit as hard. This is one of the oldest mechanics in gaming, damage output vs damage-per-second.
However, this isn’t a game designed for narrative depth; it’s about feeling powerless, hunted, and constantly on edge. At its core, Narcissus has a simple objective: survive. Real-time lighting effects bathe the metallic halls in flickering reds and greens, heightening the anxiety as you edge around each corner with your heart lodged firmly in your throat.
Each run is timed, with every kill adding an extra few seconds, meaning split second decisions about whether to risk wasting time on combat for more time, or running the long way around. There are automated turrets around the ship that can be used that attract a large group of aliens. This can be a life saver when running low on time.
Full controller support ensures the controls feel tight and responsive, crucial when dodging lunging terrors in claustrophobic hallways. This atmosphere is all the more enhanced by the blood smears, violent deaths, and grotesque creature designs seen throughout the game that keep Narcissus firmly planted in the horror bracket.
A View Like None Other
Its unique top-down perspective feels fresh for the genre, giving you just enough of a vantage point to plan your next desperate sprint, but never enough to fully quell your fear of the unknown. In a move clearly inspired by the Alien universe, every character is fitted with a motion tracker in the corner of the screen. Fans of Alien games will be well aware of the fear of moving towards a door…the motion tracker sends out a pulse…multiple life-signs are picked up…and they are heading your way.
Lately in the gaming world, the genre of ‘top-down perspective’ that was once thought relegated to the annals of gaming history, has been making a quiet yet impactful return. Indie developers, in particular, have embraced this design choice with renewed vigour. From the tense horror experiences in Narcissus to fast-paced shooters such as Enter the Gungeon, top-down games are proving that sometimes the old ways remain the most effective.
Part of this resurgence comes down to practicality. For smaller independent studios with limited resources, a top-down viewpoint allows broader environmental design without the technical demands of fully realised 3D worlds. It offers players a clear overview of their surroundings, making it easier to introduce challenging gameplay mechanics without sacrificing readability or performance.
This mechanic is bringing back the nostalgia of both early video games and arcade style games. Iconic franchises like Fallout, Pokemon and even Grand Theft Auto all started off with a similar viewpoint, before evolving into the first and third-person adventures that we all know and love today. It is clear that this old-school idea is a great stepping stone for developers to take their first step to greatness.
In Space No One Can Hear You Checking The Leaderboard
What gives it surprising longevity is the inclusion of online leaderboards. It is easy to think Narcissus would be a one-and-done horror hit, but the drive to outlast friends and strangers transforms it into a competitive survival gauntlet. Deaths are quick, frequent, and often gruesome, but restarting is near-instant.
You’ll find yourself saying, “Just one more run,” long into the early hours. This kind of game and mechanic could be very popular if used by a streamer as a perfect way to ‘connect’ with their viewers.
Is Narcissus worth your time?
If you’re seeking a horror title that ditches slow-burn narrative for raw, pulse-pounding adrenaline, Narcissus will scratch a very specific itch. It isn’t here to tell a sprawling space opera; it is here to trap you in a steel coffin with your nightmares and see how long you survive.
It is not a Triple A blockbuster by any stretch of the imagination but for how low it is priced it would almost be rude not to try it out. The game does what it is designed to do, sure it could be “improved” with better graphics and all of that, but that’s not what the game is about. It is a fast paced and fun experience that can fill a quick ten minute gap in the day.
You might not leave the ship in one piece, but you’ll absolutely be coming back for more.
Important Links
This Xbox Horror Game Costs Less Than Your Sanity (and a Bag of Crisps) – Narcissus is Out Now – https://www.thexboxhub.com/this-xbox-horror-game-costs-less-than-your-sanity-and-a-bag-of-crisps-narcissus-is-out-now/
Buy Narcissus on Xbox – https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/Narcissus/9N0K7XFLF36Q