Enigma of Fear
Our verdict
8/10
- Difficulty: Medium
- Players: 1
- Playtime: 15–20 h
Enigma of Fear is a paranormal investigation game from Dumativa, whose heroine belongs to Ordo Realitas, an order of paranormal detectives. You play young detective Mia, who explores a semi-open, isometric pixel-art world with her dog Lupi to find her missing father. Investigation is the focus: you inspect clues, solve enigmas and sort leads on a mental map, with light survival-horror combat or stealth on the side. It suits solo players who want a long, puzzle-heavy mystery with some scares.
The game is rated Very Positive with 509 of 549 Steam reviews positive, though only a few players wrote in English. They praise the 2.5D art, which blends pixel characters into lit 3D scenes, and puzzles that lean into the mystery rather than action. A neat touch is the sanity meter, which you restore by hugging your dog in a safe room.
The recurring criticism is backtracking: at first it is unclear what order to do things in, so you push until you hit a wall and roam elsewhere, repeating mazes on the way. Some puzzles are also called obscure, and one player disliked the voice acting. Expect 15 to 20 hours. Worth buying for patient mystery fans; skip it if you want action-driven horror.
Pros
- Clue inspection and a mental map make you feel like a detective
- Striking 2.5D pixel art with moody lighting per area
- Sanity restored by hugging your dog Lupi in safe rooms
Cons
- Heavy backtracking when the next step is unclear
- Some puzzles are obscure, and mazes must be repeated
- Few written English reviews to confirm the strong rating
About
In a place that doesn’t exist, young detective Mia and her little dog Lupi investigate the disappearance of her father, one of the most skilled agents in the world and the leader of Ordo Realitas, an organization of paranormal detectives.
Enigma of Fear is a game of investigation and mystery in Pixel Art/3D where your deduction is your guide. Play and enjoy this story in the way that you want to: analyze thoroughly every detail in an engaging narrative, ask partner agents for help, face enemies or try to go through them stealthily.
The Enigma of Fear
Unravel a deep secret entangled in the Perimeter with the mystery of the “Cult of Fear” - a group responsible for the disappearance of countless agents from Ordo Realitas.
Discover your own ending
What is a place that doesn’t exist? Why did your father come here? Where are the missing agents? Explore the Perimeter any way you want: an open-world and non linear, where you can let your own curiosity and deduction guide your next steps and experiences.
Investigate like a paranormal detective
Use an immersive inspection and investigation system that will allow you to feel like a true detective analyzing dozens of clues that hide the secrets of the story. Examine documents and evidence, solve enigmas, make use of your equipment, review your discoveries in Mia’s mental map and much more.
Eyes always open
Defeat terrifying paranormal creatures and unique bosses. Follow your instincts, face the paranormal threats and try to stay alive in front of Fear.
Keep the sanity
Reinstate your connection to Reality with your loyal dog Lupi to regain sanity after dangerous paranormal encounters. Talk to partners from Ordo Realitas, like the hacker Samuel and the occultist Agatha, to uncover clues and valuable information if you’re lost or need to remind yourself of some detail.
A unique vision
Dazzle a remarkable and outstanding art direction that blends the charisma of Pixel Art with the immersion of 3D environments with dynamic lighting.
A melody never created, only repeated
Embark on the mysterious atmosphere with a dynamic and contextual soundtrack that adapts to the events in the game.
