Solarix brings first-person sci-fi scares – and a twisted rogue AI – to Steam. “Open the pod bay doors, HAL.”
“I’m sorry Dave, I’m afraid I can’t do that.”
AI can be an exceedingly scary plot device. Are you still afraid of SHODAN? Does the very mention of Beta Grove leave you quaking in your boots? Then Solarix is probably for you. If you don’t know what any of these words mean, then you’re likely too young for (the sadly never re-released) original System Shock. How about BioShock – System Shock’s spiritual successor – or perhaps Half-Life? Chances are, if you’re a fan of those, then Solarix will suit you just fine.
Here’s the lowdown on Solarix from developer Pulsetense Games:
“Solarix is a stealth-based psychological horror adventure game set in the far reaches of space and the planet of Ancyra. You play the role of Walter, an electrical engineer who wakes up one day to find everything and everyone he ever knew, has been destroyed by a deadly virus. With only a rogue AI to help him navigate the harsh world of Ancyra and the after effects of the virus, his only option is escape.”
Solarix promises around ten hours of taught, psych-horror sneaking with limited ammunition and lots of pressure – sounds like someone crossed System Shock with that first episode of Doctor Who featuring the Ood, then mixed in a little Walking Dead – appealing, isn’t it? Well now you can find out for yourselves, as it was released for PC on Steam yesterday; you can pick Solarix up here for a measly £13.49. Not convinced? We’ll here’s an interesting trailer, where the confused AI and sinister virus seem to be toying with one another for Walter’s sanity:
Intriguing stuff.
