Faisal Ghaffar 
Quick Overview
MADiSON, Bloodious Games’ first title, is the first puzzle horror game in which players control Luca, a teen boy with a propensity for photography and mutilation. In MADiSON, players must solve puzzles to learn more about a mysterious serial killer, a demon in possession of a children’s book, and Luca’s deceased family. Along the way, they witness Luca being tormented physically and mentally by malicious entities seeking to inhabit the having to live realm through his body or to kill Luca.
Veteran players acquainted with common zombie flicks may mistake MADiSON for an Outlast or P.T. clone at first. While the game appears to be inspired by those games, it also stands out with its Polaroid camera mechanic. To progress through the puzzles in MADiSON, players must take photos of various objects, and the webcam could also be used to light up dark spots and ward off demons.
Function and Mechanics of Game
MADiSON makes effective use of this mechanic to create subtle horror. After surviving a terrifying encounter, Luca walks down the hallway to his grandma and grandpa’ living room in one scene. A statue at the end of this corridor is unexpectedly plunged into darkness and red lighting, and it appears… strange. When players take a picture and wave it around to clear it, they notice that the image is bloodied and burned – a telltale sign of the game’s main villain. Without even showcasing an image just on photo, MADiSON instils fear in the player by implying danger lies ahead.
Sounds of Game
The spectacular voice acting, notably from Luca’s voice actor, Jacob Judge, complements the excellent sound design. The way Luca talks and groans his way through the events of the story reveals his fear and pain. Despite the fact that many lines are read in a similar tone, it’s nice to hear a scary protagonist speak as if they’re in mortal danger. The other cast members, though used sparingly, are equally visually striking in their delivery.
Game Puzzles
MADiSON’s puzzles are quite tricky, which may feel rewarding for players looking for a more difficult horror game. The solutions are often not obvious and necessitate some deductive reasoning. There’s a wide range of puzzles, though many still fall into the action-adventure “find an item and use it” trope, and scares are sprinkled throughout. The best part is that players return to locations seen at the start of the game on a regular basis, adding a lot more depth to the environment.
Final Words
Although the story isn’t novel, it serves the match well and serves as a foundation for the game’s excellently crafted and well-crafted horror. Without any pretence of a groundbreaking story, enter MADiSON to find a terrifying journey through the minds of anguished and ignored killers. Overall, MADiSON is a fantastic first game from a new developer that will undoubtedly provide most of the scares.
