• Latest
  • Trending
Fearmonium Review

Fearmonium Review: The Darkest Metroidvania Yet?

Virgin River Season 6 Review

Netflix Orders Record-Breaking Season 8 of ‘Virgin River’

8 minutes ago
Taylor Williams And Clarke Carraway

Dumped but Determined: Taylor and Clarke Plot Life After Love Island

15 minutes ago
Dianne Wiest

Aunts, Allies and New Blood Stir the Pot in ‘Practical Magic 2’

23 minutes ago
Boonie Bears Future Reborn Review

Boonie Bears: Future Reborn Review – Chinese Animation’s Promise and Limitations on Display

Louis Theroux The Settlers Review

Louis Theroux: The Settlers Review – When Neutrality Becomes Complicity

Brendan Fraser Rental Family

Disney Sets Brendan Fraser’s ‘Rental Family’ for Thanksgiving 2025, Books ‘Psycho Killer’ for Winter 2026

14 hours ago
Peter Jackson

Oscar-Winner Refuses to Fade, Invests $15 M in Moa Revival and Teases Film Return

14 hours ago
Bobby Berk

New Berk-Cena Series Lands at HGTV Amid Network’s Renovation Shake-Up

14 hours ago
Love Island USA Season 7 Review

Fan-Built Love Island Playlists Multiply Six-Thousand Percent on Spotify

14 hours ago
Tracy Ifeachor

Season 2 of The Pitt Proceeds Without Fan Favorite Tracy Ifeachor

14 hours ago
Splitgate 2 Review

Splitgate 2 Review: A Competent Evolution That Plays It Safe

Bidad Review

Bidad Review: An Anthem of Defiance from Tehran’s Streets

  • Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Gazettely Review Guidelines
Friday, July 11, 2025
GAZETTELY
  • Home
  • Movie and TV News
    Virgin River Season 6 Review

    Netflix Orders Record-Breaking Season 8 of ‘Virgin River’

    Taylor Williams And Clarke Carraway

    Dumped but Determined: Taylor and Clarke Plot Life After Love Island

    Dianne Wiest

    Aunts, Allies and New Blood Stir the Pot in ‘Practical Magic 2’

    Brendan Fraser Rental Family

    Disney Sets Brendan Fraser’s ‘Rental Family’ for Thanksgiving 2025, Books ‘Psycho Killer’ for Winter 2026

    Peter Jackson

    Oscar-Winner Refuses to Fade, Invests $15 M in Moa Revival and Teases Film Return

    Bobby Berk

    New Berk-Cena Series Lands at HGTV Amid Network’s Renovation Shake-Up

    Love Island USA Season 7 Review

    Fan-Built Love Island Playlists Multiply Six-Thousand Percent on Spotify

    Tracy Ifeachor

    Season 2 of The Pitt Proceeds Without Fan Favorite Tracy Ifeachor

    Jaume Collet Serra

    Netflix Seals Multi-Year Pact With Carry-On Director Jaume Collet-Serra

  • Movie and TV Reviews
    Boonie Bears Future Reborn Review

    Boonie Bears: Future Reborn Review – Chinese Animation’s Promise and Limitations on Display

    Louis Theroux The Settlers Review

    Louis Theroux: The Settlers Review – When Neutrality Becomes Complicity

    Bidad Review

    Bidad Review: An Anthem of Defiance from Tehran’s Streets

    Back to the Frontier Review

    Back to the Frontier Review: Three Families, Eight Weeks, Zero Wi-Fi

    Too Much Review

    Too Much Review: How Netflix’s Rom-Com Redefines Post-Millennial Romance

    Dexter Resurrection Review

    Dexter: Resurrection Review: The Devil Takes Manhattan

    K-Pops! Review

    K-Pops! Review: Anderson .Paak’s Winning Performance

    Just Kids Review

    Just Kids Review: On the Fragility of Becoming

    Under a Dark Sun Review

    Under a Dark Sun Review: Come for the Mystery, Stay for Isabelle Adjani

  • Game Reviews
    Splitgate 2 Review

    Splitgate 2 Review: A Competent Evolution That Plays It Safe

    Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 Review

    Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 Review: Dropping In Again

    Best Served Cold Review

    Best Served Cold Review: A Bartender’s Guide to Murder and Mystery

    Broken Arrow Review

    Broken Arrow Review: A War on Two Fronts—Gameplay and Design

    Cast n Chill Review

    Cast n Chill Review: The Smartest Fishing Game You’ll Play

    Battle Train Review

    Battle Train Review: One Step Forward, Two Tracks Back

    Rooftops & Alleys: The Parkour Game Review

    Rooftops & Alleys: The Parkour Game Review – A Solo Dev’s Triumph

    GEX Trilogy Review

    GEX Trilogy Review: It’s Tail Time, One More Time

    Berserk or Die Review

    Berserk or Die Review: Controlled Chaos in a Pixelated Arena

  • The Bests
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Movie and TV News
    Virgin River Season 6 Review

    Netflix Orders Record-Breaking Season 8 of ‘Virgin River’

    Taylor Williams And Clarke Carraway

    Dumped but Determined: Taylor and Clarke Plot Life After Love Island

    Dianne Wiest

    Aunts, Allies and New Blood Stir the Pot in ‘Practical Magic 2’

    Brendan Fraser Rental Family

    Disney Sets Brendan Fraser’s ‘Rental Family’ for Thanksgiving 2025, Books ‘Psycho Killer’ for Winter 2026

    Peter Jackson

    Oscar-Winner Refuses to Fade, Invests $15 M in Moa Revival and Teases Film Return

    Bobby Berk

    New Berk-Cena Series Lands at HGTV Amid Network’s Renovation Shake-Up

    Love Island USA Season 7 Review

    Fan-Built Love Island Playlists Multiply Six-Thousand Percent on Spotify

    Tracy Ifeachor

    Season 2 of The Pitt Proceeds Without Fan Favorite Tracy Ifeachor

    Jaume Collet Serra

    Netflix Seals Multi-Year Pact With Carry-On Director Jaume Collet-Serra

  • Movie and TV Reviews
    Boonie Bears Future Reborn Review

    Boonie Bears: Future Reborn Review – Chinese Animation’s Promise and Limitations on Display

    Louis Theroux The Settlers Review

    Louis Theroux: The Settlers Review – When Neutrality Becomes Complicity

    Bidad Review

    Bidad Review: An Anthem of Defiance from Tehran’s Streets

    Back to the Frontier Review

    Back to the Frontier Review: Three Families, Eight Weeks, Zero Wi-Fi

    Too Much Review

    Too Much Review: How Netflix’s Rom-Com Redefines Post-Millennial Romance

    Dexter Resurrection Review

    Dexter: Resurrection Review: The Devil Takes Manhattan

    K-Pops! Review

    K-Pops! Review: Anderson .Paak’s Winning Performance

    Just Kids Review

    Just Kids Review: On the Fragility of Becoming

    Under a Dark Sun Review

    Under a Dark Sun Review: Come for the Mystery, Stay for Isabelle Adjani

  • Game Reviews
    Splitgate 2 Review

    Splitgate 2 Review: A Competent Evolution That Plays It Safe

    Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 Review

    Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 Review: Dropping In Again

    Best Served Cold Review

    Best Served Cold Review: A Bartender’s Guide to Murder and Mystery

    Broken Arrow Review

    Broken Arrow Review: A War on Two Fronts—Gameplay and Design

    Cast n Chill Review

    Cast n Chill Review: The Smartest Fishing Game You’ll Play

    Battle Train Review

    Battle Train Review: One Step Forward, Two Tracks Back

    Rooftops & Alleys: The Parkour Game Review

    Rooftops & Alleys: The Parkour Game Review – A Solo Dev’s Triumph

    GEX Trilogy Review

    GEX Trilogy Review: It’s Tail Time, One More Time

    Berserk or Die Review

    Berserk or Die Review: Controlled Chaos in a Pixelated Arena

  • The Bests
No Result
View All Result
GAZETTELY
No Result
View All Result
Fearmonium Review

John Lennon: Murder Without a Trial Review - What Could Have Been...

Mr. Monk's Last Case: A Monk Movie Review - One Last Hurrah for a Beloved Character

Home Games Reviews Games

Fearmonium Review: The Darkest Metroidvania Yet?

Pretty Canvas, Messy Painting

Naser Nahandian by Naser Nahandian
2 years ago
in Games, Nintendo, PC Games, PlayStation, Reviews Games, Xbox
Reading Time: 8 mins read
A A
0
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on PinterestShare on WhatsAppShare on Telegram

Picture yourself trapped deep within the troubled mind of a teenager named Max, whose psyche has been ravaged by depression, anxiety, and trauma. This is the disturbing premise behind Fearmonium, a psychiatrically-charged metroidvania developed by the boldly experimental indie studio Red Black Spade. Released on PC in 2021 before sneaking its way to consoles via publisher Ratalaika Games in late 2022, Fearmonium casts you in the role of a malicious “neurosis” named Claude with a single goal: transform into a full-blown phobia and completely devastate Max’s already-fragile mental state.

Yeah, you read that right. In most games, you play the hero. But here, you are literally the villain – an anthropomorphic manifestation of mental illness primed to prey on vulnerable youth. Not exactly uplifting stuff. From its provocative concept to its visually striking but thematically gloomy presentation, Fearmonium pulls no punches when it comes to leaning into the darkness. Those with sensitivities around topics like depression, anxiety, and suicide may want to steer clear of this one.

Of course, disturbing material does not a good game make. Execution matters most. With rabid fans highlighting its fiendish difficulty and labyrinthine level design, Fearmonium seems to embrace the masochistic mantle of renowned genre benchmarks like Hollow Knight. Its attempts to modernize the formula with oddball additions like weaponized presents and high speed mental scooter chases has also earned praise from gamers. Love it or hate it, there’s no doubt Fearmonium brings FPS-inspired gore and viscera to the typically tame metroidvania space. The question is whether its bold artistic vision can overcome criticisms of floaty controls and player punishment. Strap in and descend into the distorted domain of Fearmonium to find out!

A Teenage Wasteland of Trauma

As mentioned earlier, Fearmonium’s narrative setup is a doozy. You inhabit the consciousness of Max, an already-depressed teen whose mindscape has become overridden by anthropomorphic manifestations of his own neuroses, anxieties, and fears. Guiding you in your quest for total psychic domination is the sinister Lady Depression herself – depicted as a gothic, bathrobe-clad misery merchant constantly filling her tub with Max’s endless supply of tears.

These physical representations of clinical disorders aren’t just window dressing either. Each one alters both the visual landscape and gameplay mechanics of Fearmonium in clever ways. When traversing the Forest Phobia zone, for example, trees and vegetation invade previously open areas as your acrophobia steadily increases. In Risky Business, treacherous armed guards and classroom hazards ratchet up the platforming peril. It’s a dynamic, almost BioShock-esque approach to environmental storytelling.

Most intriguing is how certain environments mirror genuine trauma in Max’s external life. Mirrors Edge introduces his abusive stepfather through disturbing cutscenes. A college zone plagued by menacing bullies calls back to Max’s experiences with bullying and social isolation. By journeying deeper into the recesses of Max’s memories, you unravel just how troubled and painful his upbringing has been while simultaneously weaponizing that pain against him.

This creates a morally messy – some may even say “disturbed” – premise in which you literally play as the villain ruining an already-vulnerable child’s life. Not exactly standard video game fare…and certainly not for younger audiences. But for mature players who can stomach its pitch-black comedic edge, Fearmonium’s avant-garde approach to ludonarrative design pays off in spades. It lends genuine weight and emotional stakes to its trippier, almost Psychonauts-esque mental escapades. Just don’t be surprised if you feel a tinge of guilt whilst laying waste to the inner workings of poor Max’s fragile psyche!

Embark on a Metroidvania Adventure: “Ready for an action-packed journey with a unique twist? Check out our detailed review of Tevi, a game that perfects the Metroidvania formula with its deep combat systems and captivating story.”

Sadistic Platforming Through Psychedelic Hell

At its core, Fearmonium follows the standard metroidvania formula – explore an interconnected 2D world, defeat enemies and bosses, acquire new weapons and abilities that grant access to previously unreachable areas. However, its execution of these genre tenets falters a bit. Critics repeatedly blast the game’s “floaty” physics and imprecise controls which make precision jumping more frustrating than fun. Hit detection also leaves something to be desired – expect to take annoying damage from enemies and hazards when it seems like you clearly dodged them.

Fearmonium Review

This lack of polished platforming feels even more egregious given Fearmonium’s punishing, almost masochistic difficulty. Make no mistake – this game is HARD, easily rivaling the likes of Hollow Knight and Blasphemous. Death comes swiftly and checkpoints are spaced further apart than most players would like. Boss battles especially demand mastery of attack patterns and quick reflexes to overcome without losing your sanity in the process. Stock up on Nightmares (the game’s extra life system) and Adrenaline (your health pots) because you’ll need them.

Fortunately, discovering and upgrading an wacky arsenal of eclectic weapons adds a creative twist. Alongside your trusty hammer, you’ll get to lob lethal pie bombs, unleash beam weapons straight out of Contra, ignite combustible birthday presents to engulf foes in flames, and even utilize a killer yoyo with a spiky-metal edge that slices through foes with ease. Each item feels punchy and powerful in its own right – they may not fully make up for the imprecise controls but do help capture that elusive “badass” factor amidst the chaos.

Fearmonium also mixes up standard metroidvania progression with wild set pieces. Summoning an undead raven steed to sail across the skies, grinding rails Tony Hawk-style using a rocket-powered skeleton skateboard, and racing through mental hallways on a souped up scooter all drive home the absurdist psychedelic vibe. Like mainline Mario games, these vehicle-centric sequences provide memorable moments between customary phases focused on exploration and combat.

Just be ready for copious backtracking across that massive, intricately designed map. Fearmonium doles out key movement upgrades like the double jump sluggishly over its 10+ hour runtime. This means revisiting previous zones as you acquire new ways to circumvent obstacles that impeded your initial trek. Some may appreciate how this elongated upgrade path and emphasis on methodical reconnaissance forces you to intimately memorize environments. Others will consider it forced padding extending playing time beyond reason. Regardless of where you stand, quick fast travel between certain checkpoints does help mitigate potential boredom from excessive exploring – even if navigating that overly complex map remains cumbersome at best.

“Step into a world where every corner holds a secret with our Red Queen review. This series melds mind-bending psychological thrills with a narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Follow a brilliant mind’s struggle against a backdrop of sinister machinations and dark revelations in the heart of Madrid. Uncover the mystery of the Red Queen and prepare for a journey that defies reality.”

A Feast for the Eyes, Not So Much the Ears

With its gorgeous hand-drawn 2D vistas and characters oozing 1930’s cartoon charm, Fearmonium clearly takes visual inspiration from indie darlings like Cuphead and Bendy and the Ink Machine. On a purely artistic level, the game nails its aesthetic – conjuring a vivid fever dream of color, chaos and dark comedy. Creative backdrops for each stage riff on Max’s varied mental maladies to great effect. Forest Phobia overlays once-pleasant arboreal scenes with shadowy tendrils and hellish red skies. The college environment in Risky Business morphs into a bureaucratic nightmare where even the library hides sadistic threats.

Fearmonium Review

This excellent art direction bolsters Fearmonium’s psycho-surrealist edge, even if some environments suffer from a lack of visual detail and fidelity. Fine flourishes like textured terrain, destructible objects and background elements feel scaled back. It’s not a dealbreaker, but more environmental nuance would have further enhanced the deranged mindscape. Character models also exude personality through their twisted designs, though suffer from some pixelated edges and stiffness in their movement animations.

Where Fearmonium unfortunately drops the ball is its audio mixing. The soundtrack, while thematically appropriate, lacks distinct melodies and quickly fades into predictable ambient background noise. More dynamic tracks with driving beats, odd time signatures or memorable hooks would have better complemented Fearmonium’s chaotic energy. Boss themes especially feel underwhelming. And while weapons and enemies all have suitably punchy sound effects, an almost imperceptible delay between actions and audio feedback breaks immersion.

This uninspired soundscape feels even more criminal given the lost opportunity to use audio design for sheer terror. Screeching violins, blood-curdling screams, demonic mutterings – with its horror edge, Fearmonium should have mined audio shock values to really drive home the descent into madness. Instead, players are left with what amounts to inoffensive but largely uninteresting tunes that do little to enhance gameplay or narrative beats. A textbook case where style trumps substance – dazzling visuals can only compensate so much for missed potential on the audio front.

“Join Body and Head on a whimsical journey with our Airhead review. Explore a vibrant world filled with puzzles and peril. Can you keep Head inflated and uncover the secrets of this alien landscape?”

A Disturbing Descent into Madness

When tallying up all its parts, Fearmonium proves an artistic triumph in some areas and a mechanical disappointment in others. At its best, the game captivates players with its provocative premise and visually striking homage to retro stylings. Its bold, unapologetic commitment to tackling heavy themes like clinical depression, emotional trauma, and suicidal idealation head-on through gameplay and story sets it apart from its peers. Those looking for a metroidvania unafraid to explore the darkness of the human psyche will find plenty to appreciate.

Fearmonium Review

Just go in understanding the inherently niche appeal. Fearmonium’s disturbing subject matter and emphasis on evoking mental anguish means it inherently narrows its potential player base. Even mature players lured in by promise of eldritch horrors may still find certain elements excessively upsetting or triggering. Required content warnings around suicide and self-harm are warranted. But folks able to handle the dark ride will discover an entrancing thrillride through a fragmented, unstable consciousness.

Less effective are Fearmonium’s attempts to modernize metroidvania mechanics and gameplay. Veterans hoping for the refined platforming and combat of genre paragons like Ori and the Blind Forest or Hollow Knight may feel let down. Controls and physics veer towards unwieldy and imprecise. The difficulty errs punishing rather than rewarding mastery. Backtracking and conveyance issues lead to aimless wandering. These shortcomings hamstring engagement with core gameplay loops.

The audio experience also rings hollow, failing to effectively underscore tension or bow to player emotions. For all of Fearmonium’s promises of depraved thrills, its muted, workmanlike soundtrack and sound mix generate little dread. Like an unreliable narrator, it hints at great horror through environmental clues but refuses to deliver the ominous atmosphere such subject matter deserves.

Yet in spite all these mechanical misfires, Fearmonium’s avant-garde allure perseveres. Imperfections aside, when viewed as an interactive art piece intent on subversion, it still represents one of the most striking auteur visions the genre has produced. Those excited to plunge the maddened depths of a disintegrating, trauma-scarred consciousness likely won’t emerge disappointed.

Just brace for the emotional rollercoaster. Fearmonium bottlenecks our instinct for heroism and might leave even stalwart players feeling a bit distraught by the end. Wrestling with the guilt of enabling Max’s downfall makes for a haunting denouement likely to stick with you long after the credits roll. When it comes to inducing apprehension and inertia around harming vulnerable youth, this game undoubtedly succeeds.

So enter Fearmonium understanding what you’re getting into – a punishing, avant-garde dive into depressive hellscapes unattained in either film or gaming. For all its uneven gameplay and audio, its commitment to artistic integrity and confrontation of taboo subject matter make for a one-of-a-kind ordeal that any fan of the macabre can appreciate. Just mind the triggers…and maybe keep the therapist on speed dial.

The Review

Fearmonium

7.5 Score

In the end, Fearmonium deserves kudos for daring to explore the psychologically disturbing in ways few games have attempted. As a playable peek into a troubled, trauma-filled consciousness grappling with acute mental disorders, it offers unprecedented maturity and depth of artistic vision. Yet its technical failings in combat, controls, conveyance, and audio hold the experience back from reaching masterpiece status. For those unfazed by dark heady themes and willing overlook rougher edges, Fearmonium provides a compelling meditative descent into the distorted domain of a shattered psyche. Just don't expect AAA polish. With more fine-tuning, this ambitious head trip into the fragility of human reason could achieve genre greatness. For now, it remains a diamond in the rough.

PROS

  • Daring, mature themes around mental illness
  • Striking visual presentation and art direction
  • Massive, intricately designed metroidvania map
  • Great variety of creative weapons to discover
  • Some memorable vehicular sequences

CONS

  • Controls and physics feel floaty and imprecise
  • High, potentially frustrating difficulty level
  • Excessive backtracking across confusing map
  • Lackluster, repetitive soundtrack
  • Visuals lack detail and crispness in areas

Review Breakdown

  • Overall 0
Tags: AdventureAdventure gameConstructFearmoniumFeaturedFighting gamePlatform gameRatalaika GamesRed Black SpadeRole-playing game
Previous Post

John Lennon: Murder Without a Trial Review – What Could Have Been…

Next Post

Mr. Monk’s Last Case: A Monk Movie Review – One Last Hurrah for a Beloved Character

Try AI Movie Recommender

Gazettely AI Movie Recommender

This Week's Top Reads

  • Man Finds Tape Review

    Man Finds Tape Review: The Smartest Horror Film of the Year

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires Review – Disney’s Cross-Cultural Evolution in Teen Entertainment

    1 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Brick Review: When the Walls Are Within

    1 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Back to the Frontier Review: Three Families, Eight Weeks, Zero Wi-Fi

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Mix Tape Review: A Story Told on Two Sides of a Cassette

    1 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • The Sandman Season 2 Review: Portrait of a Ponderous God

    1 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • 25 Biggest Celebrity Scandals of the 2010s

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Must Read Articles

Too Much Review
Entertainment

Too Much Review: How Netflix’s Rom-Com Redefines Post-Millennial Romance

1 day ago
Dexter Resurrection Review
Entertainment

Dexter: Resurrection Review: The Devil Takes Manhattan

1 day ago
Unwrapping Christmas: Tina's Miracle Review
Movies

Unwrapping Christmas: Tina’s Miracle Review: A Study in Fortunate Errors

1 day ago
Broken Arrow Review
Reviews Games

Broken Arrow Review: A War on Two Fronts—Gameplay and Design

2 days ago
Gachiakuta Review
TV Shows

Gachiakuta Review: Forged in Refuse, Rushed to the Screen

2 days ago
Loading poll ...
Coming Soon
Who is the best director in the horror thriller genre?

Gazettely is your go-to destination for all things gaming, movies, and TV. With fresh reviews, trending articles, and editor picks, we help you stay informed and entertained.

© 2021-2024 All Rights Reserved for Gazettely

What’s Inside

  • Movie & TV Reviews
  • Game Reviews
  • Featured Articles
  • Latest News
  • Editorial Picks

Quick Links

  • Home
  • About US
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise with Us
  • Review Guidelines

Follow Us

Facebook X-twitter Youtube Instagram
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Movies
  • Entertainment News
  • Movie and TV Reviews
  • TV Shows
  • Game News
  • Game Reviews
  • Contact Us

© 2024 All Rights Reserved for Gazettely