Steam
A short FPP adventure game offering a dystopian setting. In Threshold we become a border guard in the country our choosing, make sure that the passing train remains in constant motion. We also try to uncover the brutal truth of the reality of the game's world.
Threshold is an adventure game offering an incredibly gloomy style. The development of this game was led by Julien Eveille - an independent developer who gained experience working for Arkane Studios and Crytek.
Plot
In Threshold we play the role of a border guard stationed at a post located on the top of the highest mountain in his country. His task is to ensure that the never-ending train passing through there is in constant motion. As we progress along with the protagonist, we try to find out what the train is carrying and what is behind the high border wall. By examining the surroundings in solo expeditions and also sending letters to the capital, we gradually learn the brutal truth about the world around us.
The hero is not doomed to a solitary journey, as he is accompanied by his collaborator - Mo. How their common story will end depends on our actions and the choices we make.
Gameplay
In Threshold we watch the action from a first-person perspective (FPP). At the beginning, we can choose the country whose border we must guard. The list consists of selected European, Asian, African and American countries.
As our post is located at an extremely high altitude, there is very little air here. Wanting to save oxygen, both our hero and his companion do not speak to each other (Mo communicates with us using notes). Additionally, guards can save themselves with special oxygen containers.
There are also other useful tools available to the protagonist, such as a whistle (which allows us to speed up the train), a bucket, and planks, which he uses to solve problems encountered along the way (such as repairing a clogged water filter).
Graphics
The graphic design of Threshold is kept in a retro style straight from the second half of the 1990s.
Videos and Screens
[0:56] Threshold Launch Trailer
[0:52] Threshold Release Date Announcement Trailer
The main pros of the game
- Atmosphere and Aesthetic: Many users praised the game's eerie and immersive atmosphere, describing it as deeply unsettling and effective in creating a sense of dread. The low-poly graphics and sound design were highlighted as significant contributors to the game's mood.
- Unique Concept: Players appreciated the originality of the game, particularly its narrative and gameplay mechanics, which revolve around resource management in a psychologically tense environment.
- Replayability: The presence of multiple endings and the encouragement to explore different paths added to the game's replay value, enticing players to revisit and uncover more of the story.
- Short and Engaging Experience: The game is designed to be a brief experience (approximately 60-90 minutes), which some players found refreshing, allowing for quick playthroughs without overstaying its welcome.
The main cons of the game
- Bugs and Technical Issues: A significant number of reviews mentioned game-breaking bugs, glitches, and performance issues that detracted from the overall experience. Many players encountered soft locks or had to restart due to these problems.
- Shallow Narrative: Several users felt that the story lacked depth and substance, leaving them wanting more in terms of character development and plot resolution. Some described the narrative as confusing or underwhelming.
- Limited Gameplay Mechanics: Critics pointed out that the gameplay could feel repetitive or overly simplistic, with some players finding it easy to exploit the mechanics without much challenge.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Deeper Story and Character Development: Many players expressed a desire for a more fleshed-out narrative and character arcs, suggesting that additional lore or background could enhance the experience.
- Improved Save System: Users indicated a need for better save options or checkpoints to alleviate frustration from losing progress due to bugs or errors.
- More Complex Gameplay Mechanics: Some reviewers wished for more varied gameplay elements or challenges to engage players further, rather than focusing primarily on atmosphere and narrative.
- Skip Dialogue Feature: Players suggested that after the first playthrough, the ability to skip repetitive dialogue would improve the experience for subsequent runs.
Summary
- Overall, while THRESHOLD has garnered a mix of praise for its atmosphere and originality, it also faces criticism for technical issues and narrative depth, with players eager for improvements in future updates.
Summary generated on:
Threshold Summary
Platforms:
PC / Windows
Developer: Julien Eveillé
Publisher: Critical Reflex
Age restrictions: 12+
Threshold System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2 GHz / AMD Ryzen 3 1200 3.1 GHz, 4 GB RAM, graphic card 4 GB GeForce GTX 960 / Radeon R7 350X, 2 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit
Recommended: Intel Core i7-7700 3.6 GHz / AMD Ryzen 7 1700 3 GHz, 16 GB RAM, graphic card 6 GB GeForce GTX 1060 / 8 GB Radeon RX 580, 5 GB HDD, Windows 10/11 64-bit