A Place, Forbidden
A DARK AND EMPTY PLACE
A Place, Forbidden is a first-person lo-fi horror-puzzle game that takes place in a cursed Library. It is and shall remain completely free, and features a variety of puzzles and no small amount of reading. Though the notes and books are not always imperative to gameplay, skipping them will detract from the experience.
AN UNPLANNED STAY
The Library of Ouroboros. You awaken here with no memory of how you’ve arrived – though faint recollections of searching, of the Library’s name, stick in your mind like scraps of torn paper.
The reek of dust, of old wood, and of something… more difficult to place hang in the air. Is that a distant ringing you hear, or merely your imagination? And why do you feel so strange? So hot? Like a pair of eyes – no, much more than a single pair – are watching your every movement, reading your every thought, like words on the yellowed pages of an ancient book…
A Place, Forbidden was initially released as a demo on the 2020 Haunted PS1 Demo DIsc.
CREDITS:
Conor Walsh, Writing and Design
Dennis Müller, Scripting and Design
Gábor Papp, 3D Modeling and Materials
Aidan Cushing, Scripting
Game Discussion
Steam User 3
I like it alot. a puzzle game with aspects of horror in it. I do like these kinda games games that reward you a bit for being more observant and looking for secrets. I got the 2nd ending which i'm not going to say much but sounds it good enough to me.
Steam User 3
This game is a cut above. I've played my fair share of these types of games, and this one was a very, very nice surprise, I'm actually a little mad that I didn't play this earlier. You might be thinking "Looks like a pretty standard analog horror walking simulator to me", and you wouldn't be wrong... but you wouldn't be precisely *right*, either.
The atmosphere and story are top-shelf. It's absolutely drenched in cosmic horror, and there are some pretty funny references, too (any game with Office Space references is a win in my book). At certain points, there are eyeballs popping out of the walls and/or floors, and they are ALWAYS WATCHING YOU, it was actually a little unsettling. Sometimes, there are grabbyass hands, too... ENNNNNHHH DON'T TOUCH ME.
The puzzles aren't super easy to figure out, but they're not excruciating, and the game actually made a fool of me at one point.At one point there is a padlock, and a note that gives you the clues to figure out the combination. I immediately noticed spelling errors in the text of the note, and was having a bit of a laugh, until I couldn't progress. I just couldn't figure it out. It turns out that the ERRORS are the clues, and I was thinking that the devs were "just bad at spelling", when I was the dumbass. Not so smart now, are ya, Mr. arrogant? Kudos to the devs, I actually laughed.Get ready to use your brain a bit, it's more than "find the key to progress".
I would honestly consider this to be one of the best analog horror games that I have ever played, maybe even one of the best horror games in general, and the fact that is basically cosmic horror concentrate just made this a near perfect game for me. 100% recommend. IT'S FREE. Thank you, devs :)
Steam User 2
Hello, welcome all Chuds, Gamers, and other Nerds. I aim to 100% all the games that catch my eye and join the sea of reviews on this platform.
Most will never read this, but I will review the games I find simply and thoroughly.
1 What is "A Place, Forbidden?"
A short puzzle based eldritch horror game. Our protagonist is searching for the “Library of Ouroboros” in his quest for knowledge, although he will find far more than what he was prepared for.
2 What does this game play like?
The main game play consists of basic puzzles as the true nature of the library reveals itself. A few of the puzzles are a bit too open ended, but for the most part the puzzles are well made.
Simple rankings
Story 10/10: Anyone who is a fan of HP Lovecraft would love this game. The limited background regarding our protagonist, the notes left by previous individuals in the library, it is perfect eldritch horror for those who actually like and understand eldritch horror, rather than just Cthulhu.
Game play 10/10: The graphics and the puzzles reinforce the eldritch horror of the story. One or two puzzles I feel are a bit open ended, but for the most part they are well made. The game does struggle with optimization, being far more demanding than what the graphics would suggest, but overall the game play helps reinforce the story, and thus it stands flawlessly.
Overall 10/10: A great example of eldritch horror. This game does not have fish men jumping out at you, nor constant monsters around each corner. What this game does have is the slow creeping horror that you have messed with something far beyond your understanding. As a result, for an original, free, eldritch horror game, "A Place, Forbidden" is a masterpiece.
Steam User 1
Great short and sweet horror game, I especially liked the atmosphere and sound design
Steam User 2
A Place, Forbidden Game Review
(Disclaimer - This is just my opinion and may be unpopular, or disliked. This game does deal with topics that may be seen as religious and that may not be for some.)
(General)
1. This game is a first person, puzzle, horror game.
2. The story is about a innucuous library that contains knowledge not meant for the yes of mortal men.
(Positive)
1. The graphics even through they are not the best are done well and help build atmosphere and visuals. It is also nostalgic for Indie horror lovers.
2. The developers created a lot of reading material throughout the game that was done so well and really kept me engaged and captivated.
3. The story itself and the games progression also keeps you hooked.
4. The atmospehere is very psychologocal and eerie, which just tied it together as ominous.
5. The game is short and can be played in one sitting.
6. The puzzles were not a cake walk and that helped keep it interesting.
(The vibe was similar to Like Clay the game.)
(Negative)
1. The religious elements may not be for everyone.
2. The graphics may not be for everyone as it still looks like old games.
3. The excessive reading to find out what is going on in the game might not be for everyone.
Steam User 0
I really enjoyed this PlayStation inspired game! Good puzzles and an interesting story. I am surprised it is free!
I recommend! :)
Steam User 0
Игра 'A Place, Forbidden' - это атмосферный хоррор, который покоряет своей жуткой атмосферой и загадочным сюжетом. Визуально игра выполнена в мрачном, слегка размытом стиле, что лишь усиливает ощущение беспокойства и неизбежности. Изучение заброшенного особняка, ключевого места действия, вызывает настоящий трепет. Каждый скрип половиц, каждая тень за углом заставляют вздрагивать.
Сюжет, поначалу кажущийся простым, постепенно раскрывается, затягивая игрока в паутину секретов и трагических событий. Отдельно стоит отметить звуковое сопровождение. Звуки окружения, приглушенная музыка, шепот – все это создает мощный эффект присутствия и усиливает напряжение.
Геймплей не сосредотачивается на экшене, а скорее на исследовании, решении головоломок и избежании опасностей. Это игра, которая заставляет думать, чувствовать и бояться. 'A Place, Forbidden' – достойный представитель жанра хоррор, который оставит после себя долгое послевкусие тревоги и загадки. Рекомендую всем любителям атмосферных и страшных игр.