A pervasive thought I had while playing CARIMARA: Beneath the forlorn limbs was: “Video games just do not look like this.” I like to think I have seen a lot in the indie scene; we here at GameLuster review many titles you might not find elsewhere, and I keep up with all kinds of showcases, publishers, and accounts. Yet, I truly believe that you will not find anything like it. Especially not this season, and if you are looking for a short, more atmospheric than scary horror game, you can not choose better.
The developer Bastinus Rex is a genuine master of his craft. This incredible, playable diorama they created in his debut title is more than impressive–it is one of the most impressive visual experiences in years, pushing for more varied styles in the horror genre. Popular titles tend to split into either the nostalgic or the realistic; it takes extra effort to find titles that look this unique, and for me, CARIMARA may just be the best of the bunch.
It is far from the most terrifying title out there, opting instead for a supernatural murder mystery without any conflict involved. Playing a mute spirit worker in this land inspired by the folklore of Normandy, you will observe objects that then turn into cards. These can then be shown to the old lady who requested your presence, as well as the local creepy owl outside her hut. The same cards can also seemingly materialize the objects they depict to be used in certain situations.
The less said about this story, the better, as this short tale greatly benefits from going in blind. From the moment that amazing look strikes you to the very last reveal, each discovery during the three hours I spent with CARIMARA was a delightful surprise. I knew I wanted to find each secret and each detail, see everything there is to see, and I found my curiosity rewarded in ways that make me fall in love with video games all over again.
In these details, you will find the best CARIMARA has to offer. The play space may be small, but it is deceptively clever. Even if you find what you may think is the end faster than the game intends, there is still more. It is surprisingly and refreshingly gamey, rewarding the kind of curiosities you develop the more you engage with the medium. What could easily have been a slower, more controlled experience ends up wonderfully dynamic, and all the better for it.
Perhaps a bit greedily, my one complaint would be that I really wish there were a bit more here. One or two more mysteries to uncover and a bit more space to give the most impactful reveals time to breathe. Without that, it did feel like the end came sooner than I expected, and had less of an impact than it should, given how amazing those ending cutscenes are.
Any further secrets do not add enough to that main story, and as much as I loved my time in CARIMARA’s tiny world, there is clearly still room to grow. Bastinus Rex has been working on a similarly amazing-looking game, TRIP, but also mentioned that if there is enough interest, CARIMARA could become a part of a larger series. Well, I can only speak for myself, but let it be known that there is interest! This is something special, and it would be a shame not to see what else can come of a world this stunning.
For the price of a nice sandwich (as the creator puts it), you can and should support CARIMARA: Beneath the forlorn limbs. It is an immensely fascinating look into underexplored regional folklore. Treat yourself to one of the prettiest games in recent memory and immerse yourself in this dark Norman fairy tale. Highly inspiring, surprisingly gamey, perfect for the scary season. Thank me later.
Mateusz reviewed CARIMARA: Beneath the forlorn limbs on PC with a provided review copy.
