Холат - перевал Дятлова

I'm sorry, I just can't. I give up. Devs just keep my money, you win.

I love the background of this story in other media, but this game just kills my soul.

First of all, what PSYCHOPATH holds a COMPASS LIKE THIS? ALL of your time in this game is spent walking...with a MAP...the map scale is off, the compass isn't accurate and the markers are few and far between.

Every time I reference my compass to my map, it makes NO sense even when aligned with PROVEN DIRECTIONS ON THE MAP. I don't mind wandering, but this game is a bit more open than some walking games, so I'd like to at least know where the hell I'm at.

Walk / run speed is excruciatingly slow and you have non existent stamina. On top of this, the game pummels
the depth of field then your asthma kicks in.

The directional sound of the pages is kinda spastic and sound like they're on top of you half the time.

I get it, coordinates on left, explore and find stuff broadening the story. The UI is messy for the pause screen (what f'in tab am I on?). Some of the pages you find are useless ramblings that don't add to the story.

Quick aside, the voice acting is FANTASTIC. How THE F**K did they get SEAN BEAN to do this game?! 10/10 for that part at least.

____________________

With all of the above stated, I was STILL SLOGGING THROUGH THIS GAME. I had like 5 or 6 of the coordinates marked off, I was finding stuff. Ya know, PROGRESS.

BUT OH NO, you got the CHEETO FLAVORED GHOSTS that have the most crack head pathing wandering into your area and (GUESS WHAT?!) they'll just PHASE THROUGH WALLS AND INSTA-KILL YOU. Since the game only saves when you find a paper or a camp, they just TOSS YOU to the BACK OF THE LINE....

TL:DR.....The cheeto ghosts broke me. They didn't really get me that much, but the set backs, the slow pacing, and the lack of over-all content provided the size of the map did me in.

Touche Devs.




... Sean Bean is still the G.O.A.T.

It is just my type of horror game; the wind effects the creepy atmosphere and being dropped into a desolate winter landscape with nothing but a compass, map and your wits about you to find all the clues with no navigational hand holding whatsoever. Running and hiding from the shadowy creatures adds a level of brief, spastic moments of fear and anxiety that I don't often get in horror games but somehow it worked here. Also Sean Bean is in this game.

GOOD Points:

1. Stunning and Eerie Visuals ❄️🏔️

The game’s snowy landscapes, fog-covered mountains, and abandoned ruins are beautifully crafted, immersing players in a hauntingly desolate world. The Unreal Engine-powered graphics enhance the eerie atmosphere, making exploration feel both breathtaking and unsettling.

2. Haunting and Atmospheric Storytelling 🌫️

Kholat is inspired by the real-life Dyatlov Pass incident, adding a chilling layer of realism to its horror experience. The game’s environmental storytelling and cryptic narrative create a sense of mystery and dread that keeps players engaged.

3. Immersive Sound Design and Narration 🎙️🎶

With Sean Bean providing narration, the voice acting adds depth to the mystery. The eerie ambient sounds, whispering winds, and distant echoes contribute to the overall tension, making every moment feel unnerving.

4. Exploration-Based Horror Experience 🗺️

Unlike traditional horror games that rely on jump scares, Kholat focuses on psychological horror and environmental storytelling. The open-world structure allows players to explore at their own pace, uncovering clues and piecing together the mystery.

5. A Unique and Thought-Provoking Horror Game 👣

The game stands out from typical horror titles by using slow-building tension and atmosphere rather than action-heavy gameplay. It offers a more cerebral experience, appealing to fans of story-driven horror and exploration-based games.

BAD Points:

1. Lack of Clear Direction Can Be Frustrating 🧭

The game does not hold your hand, and while that adds to the mystery, some players might find it confusing or frustrating to navigate without clear objectives. The reliance on a map and compass without a marker system can make progression feel aimless at times.

2. Slow-Paced Gameplay May Not Be for Everyone 🚶‍♂️

Kholat is more about atmosphere and exploration rather than action or fast-paced horror. Players looking for intense chases or frequent scares might find the pacing too slow.

Conclusion:

Kholat is a beautifully eerie and atmospheric horror experience that relies on psychological tension rather than traditional scares. Its haunting visuals, immersive sound design, and mysterious narrative make it a unique entry in the horror genre. While its slow pace and lack of guidance may not suit every player, those who appreciate deep storytelling and exploration will find it a chilling and unforgettable journey. ❄️👣🔦

Final Rating: 7.5/10

You can feel a sense of despair and isolation in the harsh environment and desolate landscape. The greatest fear I felt in this game was that I am terrible with directions—yet I am the one who must escape this place and end my disappearance.

Kholat presents itself as a spine-chilling horror experience that ultimately falls flat, especially for anyone looking for a fulfilling gaming session. The game bills itself as a terrifying journey through an eerie, desolate environment, but what you get is a frustrating exercise in walking aimlessly through an expansive area that leads to dead ends most of the time.

A week ago I was diagnosed with MSD and the doctors have given me a year at best. I'm so glad I was able to play this before I go. I don't know how many people will see this; but I recommend to you to play this game if you do see it. Gameplay, atmosphere, graphics. everything is masterfully crafted. If you read it, thank you and good bye.

Mary Elizabeth McGlynn and Arkadiusz Reikowski , simply the best combo.

I actually never played the full game. When this game came out, my PC at that time wasn't able to hit 10 fps in this game :D so I'll definitely finish it now but even without me finishing this game, I can only give a positive review for such a wonderful sound track. From the moment you get in the main menu you'll fall in love with Mary's voice. Truly one of a kind. Wondering in the abandoned village in the beginning of the game and listening her humming while also seeing the wonderful landscape, it's just an unmatched feeling. I don't know how good the game will actually be, I see a lot of negative reviews and opinions about it but I highly recommend it, at least for the first 10 minutes of it...:)

I found the slow pace of the game to be extremely tedious and boring. Constantly checking the map for my location became old very fast as well.

depends on what you are after, but this is a good psychological horror story with some mind teasers, a few jumpscares and more then enough mystery

It's not for everyone. It's hard to navigate using the map.
Atmosphere and story is good tho.

A beautiful, atmospheric game with incredible music. 10/10 recommend!

Kholat is a chilling and atmospheric exploration game that draws you into the mysterious Dyatlov Pass incident. Its unique format immerses you in an open-world environment, where you uncover the narrative through scattered diaries and environmental clues. While some may claim there’s no plot, it’s all about piecing together the story yourself, which adds to the intrigue and sense of discovery.

The game masterfully combines eerie landscapes with a haunting soundtrack, creating a tense and unforgettable experience. Though it has occasional glitches, these are minor unless you’re chasing 100% achievements, which requires completing Act II (the game consists of three acts, with Act II being the major part).

Despite this, Kholat excels at delivering a gripping, atmospheric journey. Its blend of mystery, exploration, and subtle storytelling makes it a standout for fans of narrative-driven horror games.

It has almost no helping interface, besides a vague keybinding list of 3 actions tops and the movement controls are not as "athletic" or "nimble" as i'd like to have in a first person game (like half the actual speed on the trailer video). also, you are going to get LOST a LOT. But the game does his job: excellent ambient, a nice story, lots of thrills. just a good old horror game.

8/10

Beautiful scenery
Cool and mysterious story
Not too scary but still creepy
100% Completion: 5.2 Hours
Achievements difficulty: 3/10

Simply buy, one of the best horror games I've played.
Map is very easy to use and it's very easy to get how enemies work.
You can get stuck in certain places but you have to really try to get stuck in map geometry.
Also great concept for the story and OST.

It's annoying that the only way I could play this game and finish it, is by a walkthrough. The map was hard for me to understand, you get tired while running, while there is constant things chasing you. Music is pretty though.

This game is beautiful! The sounds are beautiful and creepy, the game makes you feel safe and uneasy at the same time, the pacing is awesome, overall very well made game.

I love the story and the soundtrack, but I didn’t enjoy the gameplay. The concept of realism and map is okay, but it would be nice to have a possibility to mark something on it. Also, movement problems. Our character cannot jump, it gets tired fast and gets killed easily. There is something wrong with the balance. Recommended only for patience and true walking simulator fans.