Reviews// Cursed Mountain

Fighting the unknown
As previously mentioned, your axe is your main weapon which gets the odd upgrade along the way. There is usually a warning before a spirit appearance/attack signalled by a gloomy fog filling the area, which takes the edge off any surprise attacked. Fighting the spirits is rather uneventful and requires little more than pressing the B button to swing your axe in their direction. Some require you to wear them down first with a few swipes, then you can use your ‘Third Eye’ ability, which slows things down and introduces on-screen gestures that have to be followed to banish the spirit.

You can go into the Third Eye mode at any time (once you’ve acquired it early on) giving your axe the ability to fire a bolt of energy. The gestures are also used outside of combat to remove mystic wards/spells on different objects. Different gestures, such as balance, meditation and speed climbing, get used at other times through the game. The latter requires no more than waving the controllers up and down simultaneously (i.e. running in Mario & Sonic Olympics).

Death can come in the situations where you can get overwhelmed, this isn’t too often, though, and shrines are normally close at hand so you can keep your health topped up. Saving is handled by invisible checkpoints with only the last one being accessible from the load screen. Nine times out of ten after you hit a check point you’ll be attacked or come across a situation that could end in sudden death.

Your health is only shown when needed on a limited HUD that stops it being distracting. The inventory screen is accessed via the + button, and displays your weapons, items, books and journal. These are shown in four very flat and uninspired sections which are of little use other than reading books which have been collected.

Because your progress is very linear you’re unlikely to need to check your journal to find out what to do next. However, the inclusion of a map would have been welcomed.

In contrast to the bland interface, the audio is probably the stand out achievement as it alone gives the best sensation of remoteness and an eerie feeling that you’re being watched.

Conclusion
I was expecting to have to line up rows of clean underwear and keep one hand on the light switch. Unfortunately, I was rarely in danger of spilling my cuppa. The audio helps envelope you in the atmosphere but the repetitive nature of the spirits left me wanting to cut my safety rope and take my chances below. The game is solidly built but lacked the ability to keep me interested and pushing on to the summit. If you’ve got an interest in Buddhism you might find the story appealing, but other than that it’s unlikely to give you the thrill of wondering what is going to happen next and the desire to find out what happened to your brother.

SPOnG Score 60%