I honestly didn’t quite know what to expect going into Threshold. At first, I figured that the latest game from Julien Eveillé would be a horror game, much like a lot of the other titles in Critical Reflex’s portfolio. After all, they published Mouthwashing, one of the most unnerving games I’ve played in my life. Even the official website describes it as a “survival horror.”
When you actually get into Threshold, you’ll quickly realize that the sub-genre attached to it is a bit misleading. While you are surviving with limited resources, there is no real horror that you are surviving against. Instead, Threshold is a uniquely compelling thriller. The premise is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before, and the gameplay loop, while sometimes repetitive, is intriguing and hooked me from beginning to end.
While Threshold doesn’t quite live up to the title of survival horror and is a bit too short for my liking, the fantastic premise, fun gameplay loop, and replay value make it a game that’s definitely worth your purchase.
Take a Deep Breath
The story of Threshold is said to be based on real events. This is unbelievable to me, as the game’s premise feels like something out of a dystopian film. When you begin, you’re filling out the last bit of paperwork for a job you’ve earned. The job? Keep the seemingly endless train running. The pay? No one has told you. Where is the job? High in the mountains. The catch? Air is incredibly thin up there.
Upon taking the elevator to your new post, you meet MO (those are his initials, not his name). He communicates with you via a notepad because even speaking is a waste of oxygen. Oxygen becomes the key to the entire story as everything you do, from maintaining the train to meeting with the “Capital,” requires massive amounts of oxygen.
You’re given three key tasks: make sure the train is running at its expected pace, clean the water filter, and try and rebuild the damage the shift before you caused. These tasks on their own are enough, but there are plenty of mysteries to solve, too. You may notice several key items of interest while you’re on your shift: a locked toilet, a grave, several wooden planks strewn about, and even an observatory.
Each mystery can be explored and interacted with in some way. If you’re looking for answers, you can always go to a building that you can only access with the same whistle you use to keep the train on point. Upon entering the building, you’re greeted with infinite oxygen and the mysterious Capital, an amorphous force that will answer any question you have about the nature of your position.
If you decide to go your own way, however, Threshold recognizes your efforts. Eveillé is known for games like Dishonored and Deathloop, which reward player experimentation, and Threshold is no different. I spent a lot of time wandering around, observing my surroundings, and sometimes, events would just play out that would completely catch me off guard. It took me a while to figure out how to get to an ending, but once I did, I felt so satisfied.
I was initially disappointed that the game was two hours long. I personally didn’t think that the game earned its short runtime, unlike other recent titles. Although, I was more than happy to learn that there are three more endings to uncover. Further, the country you pick at the beginning of the game doesn’t merely determine your language; it actually determines your gameplay experience. I can’t wait to jump back in and see everything I missed.
Part of the reason why I’m so eager to give the game another shot is because of its gameplay. The gameplay of Threshold, despite some shortcomings, is compelling and had me addicted from beginning to end.
The Trials and Tribulations of Your Shift
As mentioned previously, Threshold‘s gameplay loop is just that: a loop. You’re expected to do the same tasks over and over again in order to make a good impression on your bosses during your shift. In other games, this would make the game more monotonous. Here, though, the monotony is intentional and adds to the atmosphere of the experience.
Speaking of atmosphere, the visuals are pretty good. They’re not the most impressive “PS1-inspired” graphics I’ve seen, but they’re certainly unique and add to the dream-like nature of the entire experience. I did notice some visual glitches, particularly towards the end. Certain objects floated in mid-air, and the framerate dropped significantly. While they did break my immersion a bit, they certainly didn’t ruin the game for me.
In Threshold, oxygen is everything. If you sprint too much, your character will start to wheeze. If you blow your whistle into the receptacle that keeps the train at its expected pace, you’ll start to suffocate. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to get your oxygen back. At certain stations around the map, there are oxygen tanks that you can bite into. These release air into your lungs and keep you afloat for a little while longer.
There’s apparently a roguelike element to the game as well that I never got a chance to try. If you die while on your shift, you must start all over again. I’m curious to see if the game’s characters acknowledge the shift where your character died and if you must make an entirely new one to replace the previous one.
Overall, Threshold‘s gameplay loop might seem intimidating at first glance, but once you find the right groove, it is extremely addicting. It won’t appeal to everyone: those looking for a nice and calm experience might find Threshold a bit too stressful. However, as a whole, it’s another unique hit from Critical Reflex, and the player freedom it offers makes it perfect for multiple replays.
Not What I Expected, Exactly What I Wanted
Threshold is a very unique experience. It’s not quite what I expected for many reasons. It claims to be a survival horror, but in reality, it’s a micromanagement simulator with its fair share of problems. There are several frame drops and quite a few bugs here and there, plus the short length means it likely won’t appeal to everyone.
That said, I still loved it, warts and all. The visual style was interesting and created this liminal atmosphere that feels so rare in modern gaming. The premise is great and unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. I deeply enjoyed unraveling all of the game’s many mysteries, and I look forward to digging deeper. Further, the gameplay, despite having a heavy focus on micromanagement, is fun and had me hooked during my entire playtime.
Additionally, because of how strong Threshold‘s replay value is, I expect myself to play the game again to try different endings and different choices and experiment with different countries. Threshold continues Critical Reflex’s trend of highlighting brilliant genre-bending games that leave its players wanting more.
Julien Eveillé did everything right with this experience, and his gaming repertoire continues to impress. While there are some noticeable problems, they will likely be patched out with time. If you’re like me and you want a unique gaming experience that will leave you hooked and with more questions than answers, then you should definitely invest in Threshold.
