Penumbra: Overture is a first person horror adventure with focus on story, immersion and puzzle solving, where violence and combat is hardly an option. It was developed by Frictional Games, the same from Amnesia series, and initially released in March 30, 2007.
It’s also the first in a series of episodic survival horror games, and was originally intended as the first episode of a trilogy. With the announcement of the second episode, Penumbra: Black Plague, it was stated that the second game would be the final chapter. However, an expansion has been released since then: Penumbra: Requiem, technically giving the series a third chapter.
Published by Lexicon Entertainment and available for Linux, Windows and Mac, Penumbra: Overture received “average” reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. It’s currently very well reviewed in the stores it’s listed.
It’s a commercial game, but we have an outdated demo you can get for free here!
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About the game
Penumbra:Overture is a first person survival horror game, emphasizing on survival and problem solving instead of mindless violence and gore.
Played from a first person perspective and powered by a 3D engine utilising cutting edge technology, Penumbra is a substantial advancement of the genre. The unique physics system allows for true environmental interaction in a way not possible in other games. The player can open drawers, pull levers, pick up objects and now manipulate those objects in 3D space – all using natural mouse movements, creating a highly interactive and immersive game world.
Penumbra will put players on edge like never before as they explore ominous and mysterious environments, the unknown awaiting them behind every corner. The world is detailed both in terms of graphical fidelity and narrative character – Penumbra is a horrific experience that will grip players from its opening thrills to its chilling denouement.
Story
Like all good nightmares, Philip’s begins with something all too real – his mother’s death. The days following the funeral are characterized by nothing, save for an incessant feeling of abandonment. Until, that is, he receives a letter from a dead man.
Philip’s father left before he was born, taking his reasons with him. Now, here he is, opening up the door from beyond the grave. That door leads to more questions, and those questions lead to Greenland. Philip follows the clues – they’re all he has left.
On leaving the final signs of human civilization behind him, in search of the location mentioned in his father’s ambiguous notes, Philip wonders if he’s left some part of his humanity behind as well. Soon, that will be the least of his fears.
Now, Philip needs your help. He’s found an inexplicable metal hatch, in the middle of a frozen wasteland. Inside, is something yet more unfathomable.
Step into the unknown.
Official description
In Penumbra, the player has to use wits to guide Philip through his final test, and this makes the series unique in offering a truly dangerous and terrifying experience.
Played from a first person perspective and powered by a 3D engine utilizing cutting edge technology, Penumbra is a true advancement to the adventure genre. The unique physics system allows for true environmental interaction: The player can open drawers, pull levers, pick up objects and manipulate those objects in 3D space – all using natural mouse movements, creating a highly interactive and immersive game world.
The Penumbra series’ central character, Philip, is realistically vulnerable, while enemies are fierce and intelligent. Any object can be picked up and thrown in defense, but the end result might only be to buy some time, or more likely, anger enemies further. Avoiding, outwitting and sneaking past enemies entirely provide the best chance of survival.
Penumbra will put players on edge like never before as they explore bizarre and mysterious environments, the unknown awaiting them behind every corner. The world is detailed both in terms of graphical fidelity and narrative character – The Penumbra series is a horrific experience that will grip players from its opening thrills to it chilling denouement.
Features
- Detailed and atmospheric environments.
- State of the art interaction system.
- Thrilling blend of puzzles and action.
- Dark secrets to be discovered.
Purchase information
The Penumbra series consists of three games, all of which have been released and can be bought as digital downloads for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. Penumbra for Windows also comes as a boxed retail version, available from online retailers and in your local game store.
Penumbra: Overture is the first game in the series, Penumbra: Black Plague is the second title and Penumbra: Requiem is an expansion for Black Plague.
All three games can be purchased as a collection for about $10.
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Overview
- GET Penumbra: Overture HERE - Download link(s) or store's listing.
- Size: 156 MB
- License: Demo
- Operational systems: Windows
- Developer: Frictional Games
- Categories: Adventure
- Views: 6
- Added by: Valewson