Mundaun

good scare

This is a neat little horror story with a heavy Swiss folklore taste. The visual style is outstanding: every texture was hand-drawn, which gives it a very distinct look. The story is very atmospheric, full of bizarre elements and surprises to the very end. You're not defenseless against monsters, but stealth and defensive play is heavily encouraged over aggression. Kudos to the journal design, it actually feels like a physical book where you collect random documents and scribble notes.

This is my third Annapurna game and played it on my brother's computer fully and honest to god another banger from this publisher, i never felt this good doing simple tasks since RE4 original, this game was a journey to go through and i recommend it to anyone, it is so fun to play and relaxing at the same time



SPOILERS



The part i'm talking about is making coffee, preparing your weapon, walking around and surviving, i felt like i was actually somewhere and the areas are really big


Finding out there was combat and a F.UCKING leveling system changed this entire game for me because at first i thought it was just a walking sim, and getting the fucking truck and driving it around felt good that it felt like HL2 which i highly think was the main inspiration for this entire game. I never felt stumped because how fun the game was, driving the truck and screwing around what i can do with it was so much fun. This game has so much charm to it like Allegeria being just a head and is your companion is actually amazing


Was at the top of the mountain segment and my brother kept playing the Fred Flintone yabadaba doo and the sounds effects with it while i'm trying to figure out a puzzle made me go into both of us a laughing fit



The story was alright and felt exactly like a A24 movie but the journey was special and it's completely seamless to and areas are super large with their own puzzle to them makes everything super memorable



I really loved exploring the open areas that i loved looking through everything finding stuff. That yeti thing was the best part of that entire game and the segment is like 5 minutes but that was intense plus the soldiers shooting at you point blank



Game visually is amazing and it's really good on the eyes that you get used to the black and white style, and the fact it's all hand drawn the textures makes this more amazing


10/10 - The game is so memorable i call every goat Alligria now

The game would’ve been much better if the developer had focused on what they do best—a walking simulator in an interesting folk-horror setting with a decent story and fun characters.

I played it back in 2021, but that was the GOG version. Didn’t like it much back then either, but I decided to give it a second chance. I mean, I do find myself remembering Mundaun with a certain warmth from time to time.

This time, I dropped it at the snowy mountain part with the undead soldiers.
The combat system and some of the puzzles aren’t even bad enough to call awful. They’re just... there. They don’t add anything to the game except frustration. And what’s even more annoying is that they look like they should have some depth. But nope. It just ruins the experience to the point where I don’t want to go through it again just to focus on the story.

I appreciate that Mundaun isn’t trying to copy popular horror games and actually wants to do its own thing—a grim fairytale in a great setting with a unique visual style, tons of attention to detail, and an identity of its own. But that doesn’t mean I’ll turn a blind eye to the sheer amount of gameplay bullshit it dumps on the player.

wonderful narrative puzzle-ish horror-ish game. if you think you'll like it based on vibes alone, you probably will :)

Found a severed goat head and put it in my pocket :)

Nice little atmospheric horror game. Runs smoothly. The Romansh voicing really adds to!

This deserves way more attention. Totally unique and engrossing horror-lite experience.

It takes some effort to get on its wavelength and persist through some clunky moments, but there is an interesting story with a mistery worth uncovering.

Mundaun is a strikingly unique horror adventure that achieves dark intrigue and unnerving scares.

If the hand-drawn pencil aesthetics haven't sparked your interest, please consider that there is a very well written story to be found here that all the weird foreign art house films are jealous of. The unfamiliar setting is a perfect backdrop to the dream logic progression. Disorienting but compelling.

The voice acting (and audio mixing in particular) is honestly stellar - the devs have totally captured this campfire, folk scary-story vibe. The monsters (for lack of a better word) and character design are believable and cool, and the environments are a joy to navigate through

Its also a refreshing mix of many genres - completely it's own thing which is hard to come by these days. At it's heart though, its an exploration game and slowly figuring out all the beats of the story is riveting.

It has only been 4 years but Mundaun has proved itself to be a one of a kind labour of love. It knew what it wanted to do right from the get, and it does it.

Mundaun is a unique experience, reminds you of something you'd see in a horror movie. Its a one of a kind game that you really can't get anywhere else, it definitely has some weaknesses as in the combat is a bit clunky and the driving is a bit clunky, but for an indie game that I got on sale for $5, I would give this a 10/10. I've played countless single-player story games in my life, and this one is unlike any others I've played, it has a very interesting story with original characters and ideas. I believe if this company had the right support behind it, they definitely could make a really well-written, well developed game. Buy this game, support these people.

neat fairy-tale-esque story in the alps, cool visuals. a bit glitchy and the combat can be pretty janky but it's fun to run over people with the truck. the voice acting is nice and the language is very pleasant to listen to.

One of the most charming and atmospheric folk horror games I've ever played. I recommend this to anyone I meet, it is criminally underrated. It is a little rough around the edges in some places but it more than makes up for it with the music, scenery, story and voice acting. Please play this.

Gorgeous style and interesting story wrapped up in a small horror game.

When you solve a puzzle correctly, it should immediately progress. In Mundaun, I solved a puzzle correctly kind of by purely common sense and logic, only to be given feedback that I was wrong. Only to find out that I was right and had to find a photo on the wall to confirm.

Im sorry, but if the player flukes a puzzle by using common sense or just luck, the game should still progress and reward the player so.

Cool art style, atmosphere and vibe, I just don't have the patience to do puzzles that you can do correctly, only to have to have the game say no incorrect. Requested a refund....

one of the best games i've ever played. beautiful art direction, great pacing, strong atmosphere. just all round amazing really.

This horror game had some very captivating visuals and unique ideas. The story and characters were interesting enough. Digging for clues was well rewarded. The puzzles were well placed and logical. Being in an isolated village high in the mountains gave a sense of constant dread (with some cozy coffee break time). I also appreciated the folklore elements.

Good game with an amazing art style. It doesn't really have jumpscares but that doesn't make it a bad horror game especially since the atmosphere is terrifying in the village in the Alps because you don't know what awaits you later in the game. The game takes around 7 hours to finish and I think that it's long enough. In conclusion, it's worth the money.

Mundaun is a truly unique gem that caught me completely off guard. At first glance, what stands out immediately is its striking hand-penciled art style crafted by Swedish developers - a visual approach I've never encountered before in gaming. This distinctive aesthetic creates an incredibly atmospheric experience that's both haunting and mesmerizing.

Going in blind, I was pleasantly surprised by the horror elements woven throughout the game. The bizarrely captivating characters, mysterious locations, and surreal narrative clearly draw inspiration from David Lynch's work, creating an unsettling yet fascinating journey. Every scene feels meticulously crafted, with the pencil-sketched visuals adding an extra layer of otherworldliness to the experience.

While some gameplay mechanics took time to master, the compelling story and dialogue (delivered in Romansh with subtitles) kept me thoroughly engaged throughout. There's something hypnotic about hearing this rare language while exploring the game's strange world, adding to its unique atmosphere.

The attention to detail and passion poured into every aspect of the game is evident - from the hand-drawn visuals to the carefully constructed narrative and environment design. It's clear this was a labor of love.

8/10 - If you're seeking an unconventional indie horror experience that breaks away from genre norms, Mundaun is absolutely worth your time. It's a masterclass in creating atmosphere through unique artistic vision and surreal storytelling.

While I don't know that this game was entirely my bag I do see why people enjoy it. LowPoly brings me joy and the Old Man's whole thing is grant. Honestly could have used more goats.

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Рекомендую

Genuinely one of my favorite horror games. Obtuse in the right ways, and really dedicated to scaring you to death without overdoing it. Go in on this one completely blind if you can.

Robert Eggers' Half-Life 2

Gorgeous

Folk-Horror, not too extreme but very immersive and gripping. And the visuals, the art style are truly unique. If Kafkaesque was a game. One of the most interesting and best games I've played.

Отличная игра, необычная

Рисовка делает ее очень атмосферной, вместе с историей\окружением.
Игра кажется жуткой в некоторых моментах

В целом, есть ощущение, схожие с ощущениями от Мора (Pathologic 2) и Amnesia

В моем прохождении не было багов. Кроме одного - после закрытия игры она не закрывалась (приходилось через стим\диспетчер задач закрывать)

А вообще - игра про то, как мы спасаем бедную козочку

yes

Worth the price i paid for it. I might just not be that into these super european horrors. Wasn't that scary, exploration and looking for clues and keys was OK but man do you move slow!

Somewhat satisfying ending.

Amazing game, originally saw it from a YouTuber, now decided to play myself. Loved the experience, the story, the characters. The style is very unique and memorable. One thing - fighting in the game is barely manageable, so it makes sense to run from everyone all the time.

Stunning in its presentation - gripping from start to finish. If folk horror ticks one of your boxes, it's a must own.

the game is that one unforgettable encounter we all experience.

Mundaun is an amazing experience. The art style is gorgeous. It's based off a real village in Switzerland which makes the story more intruiging. I was hooked for every hour over the course of the game. It takes about 7 hours to beat, but the gameplay reinvents itself every hour. It doesn't get boring. I highly recommend it if you like the art, dark fantasies or the Swiss Alps.

Great story and atmosphere, distinct visuals.

Slow burn but a very intriguing narrative with genuinely scary moments. Big fan of the hand drawn pencil art. The art style fits the game’s theme perfectly. There's about 60,000 people on earth that don’t need the subtitles, but the Romansh language adds to the lore and immersiveness.

8.8/10

Mundaun is the kind of indie game that wipes the floor with triple-A games and their fancy graphics. Here you have unique hand-drawn, pencil textures, very basic animations, a tight world-design, clunky combat and enemies that are mostly annoying rather than scary. And yet I have thoroughly enjoyed every second in this world, and will remember these memorable characters and story for a long time!
It presents a rich, immersive and dream-like experience in a Swiss-inspired world. It's mostly a linear journey but there's just enough exploration in here to keep things interesting. I really liked the story and its characters and it's just horror enough to keep things on edge but never crosses into overly disturbing territory or makes you afraid to see what's around the next corner. In fact, I couldn't wait to see what comes next, as every scene, interaction or transition is filled with atmosphere, amazing sound design and music.
Do not skip this one! It's memorable, special and clearly made with love.

First and foremost, Mundaun is a beautiful game. Some parts of it are absolutely gorgeous. Another thing I loved was that the game doesn't hold your hand and relates essential information subtly, without breaking immersion.

Some of the gameplay mechanics, including combat, were not well fleshed out. Also, I enjoyed the first half more, with its slower and more laid back pace. The final stretch felt more linear, even rushed, and while the ending brought the drama's arc to a close, I found it lacking of the power and the finesse of preceding chapters of the story.

A solid recommendation, especially when on sale; Mundaun is a mesmerizing experience.

Incredibly immersive!

Cozy walking sim with some spooky parts, has a fantastic story with a Unique art style, some pretty nice music, and the voice acting added alot to the setting. Also i was surprised to see that there were multiple endings to get which was a nice touch.

A wonderful, picturesque and quaint game with a rustic charme and a mystical story about the past, morality and religion. Passionately designed with hand-drawn textures, haunting music, eerie scenes and beautiful vistas. This game is fantastic.

6/10

I think this is a cool atmospheric game. It's very formulaic in terms of exploration and puzzles. But a cool ride nonetheless. I was enjoying it a lot at the beginning but as the game progressed and I realised it was just more of the same I was a bit less excited to continue. A bit buggy. Many instances of getting stuck because all interactions stopped working. Cool mystery with some horror. Combat is very bare bones and underdeveloped. Drags on way too long for how "simple" it is. Was kind of hoping for some kind of boss at the end. Almost like some crazy eerie Swiss folklore.

Good slow burn

Fell through the map halfway through the game and couldn't get to my last checkpoint for some reason, so I'm leaving behind this bad review. Also, the game sucks, so there's that.

I was really invested in the what was going on. Nice and spooky. Would have worked just as well without any enemies though, I found them mildly annoying more than anything else.

you sure can learn a lotta interesting stuff when you stop to talk to goats!

Extremely beautiful and immersive. Also surprisingly scary at times. The controls can be a little janky, and some of the deaths can be a little unfair, but otherwise it’s a great game.

Note for steam deck users: this game chugs the battery and can really only be played smoothly on the lowest quality settings and limiting framerate to 40 fps. If you do that, it runs perfectly.

Not baaa-d, this game is just bleat-iful! Goatally awesome!

Sights & Sounds

Sketchbooks and synthesizers

Mundaun makes some excellent artistic choices with its visual design that manage to make even the mundane, sunlit parts of this horror adventure scary

The main choice benefiting the atmosphere is the pencil sketch visuals. In the light, you can plainly see that most environments and characters are slightly crooked, smudged, or otherwise just a little bit "off"

It can look quite scenic as well. The game takes place in a rural Alpine town after all, so it's worth taking in all the pretty mountain views

At night, though, the general darkness hides some of the imperfections and makes creatures and monsters seem more alive. It's like your mind infers something about the shadows to startle you more

Despite plenty of the game taking place at night, most of Mundaun occurs when the sun is up. Don't know if that makes it qualify as daytime horror, but it's definitely a brighter game than I'm used to seeing in the genre

I can't really comment on the quality of voice acting in Mundaun; this is probably the first time I've ever heard Romansh spoken

The soundtrack is a perfect match for the visuals: predominantly moody and dark owing to the creeping tempo, murky synth and sparse percussion, but with glimpses of beauty courtesy of a dash of strings and piano

Story & Vibes

The sins of the father...

Generational horror is one of those tropes that deserves more attention. It's hard to imagine a piece of media pulling it off as well as a movie like Hereditary, but Mundaun makes a valiant effort

Horror archetypes usually feature protagonists being disproportionately punished for sins they've committed, whether their misdeeds were willful or unintentional. Generational horror ramps that concept up by visiting misfortune upon someone because their grandpa killed too many virgins in his secret murder cult or something

In that way, the genre as a whole features something like a perverted sense of justice and grace. Generational/Inherited horror gives those sins a lineage. In a way, it's scarier; you don't even have to do anything wrong before the demons begin showing up

Even though I haven't told you a single thing about Mundaun's plot yet, you should now have all the context you need

All I'm going to reveal is that you take the role of Curdin, an otherwise normal Swiss man who receives a letter from his grandfather's priest informing him of his death. The priest also tells Curdin that he'll handle the burial and that he should in no way come to visit

It would be a very short game if Curdin decided to simply shrug it off, so naturally, he makes his way to Mundaun to figure out what happened to his grandfather. He winds up finding a little more than he bargained for, so to speak

I'll leave the remaining details for the player to discover. The plot is a well-paced slow burn if you're of the opinion that slow burns can be well-paced. In all, it's a motivating story full of intrigue, dread, secrets, heresy, and desperation

My understanding is that there's multiple endings that depend on choices made during two key plot points, so the overall message can change depending on your judgement

The game doesn't present a ton of new ideas as far as horror plots go, but it's still effective at creating that unsettling air of dread and uncertainty you'd hope for in a narrative like this

Playability & Replayability

Boilerplate

Maybe it's appropriate that headquarters for the International Organization for Standardization are located in Switzerland. Mundaun's gameplay mechanics feel like they were trying to meet a set of criteria without evolving beyond them

Survival horror veterans will be completely familiar with everything Mundaun throws at them, particularly the navigation, combat, and puzzle mechanics

It wouldn't be a horror game without mysterious locked doors, right? Most navigation in the game requires you to be observant while you're exploring in order to spot keys, codes, or other techniques for unlocking them

Keys and codes aren't all you'll find. You'll occasionally find useable items like matches and ammunition lying around. Be sure to ration these resources wisely due to their limited quantities

You'll also find stat-boosting items like bread (for health), rifle manuals (for aim), and coffee (for fear resistance). You actually have to prepare the coffee at a stove, so keep an eye out for water sources and try to keep a pot in your inventory

The puzzles aren't all that complicated but can get a little obtuse. There's one involving a meat locker that took me longer than I care to admit to solve

Monsters aren't difficult to dispatch either. You'll occasionally find pitchforks for melee combat and a rifle for range, but your best option is almost always going to be stealth or running to a building and slamming the door. Not only is it usually quicker, but pitchforks break after three hits and ammo is scarce

Gameplay sound pretty standard? I assure you it is. It's effective even if it's uninspiring, though. However, even with the multiple endings, I'm having a hard time selling myself on a replay. It's a good game, but it lacks that spark that makes me want to revisit it

Overall Impressions & Performance

One for the beginners

After playing Mundaun, I was left with the impression that it would be a good title to suggest to people wanting an introduction to horror games but find them either scary or daunting

The mechanics are easy to understand and emblematic of survival horror games as a whole. It's more creepy than scary, so it shouldn't overly frighten anyone with a weak constitution. The narrative is both overt and slow enough to be easily understood, but still leaves enough unanswered questions to be compelling. Finally, the subject matter doesn't lean into shock topics for those who sensitive to such things

It also performed perfectly on the Steam Deck, which is another thing to appreciate about it

Final Verdict

[*] 7.0/10. Is Mundaun a truly excellent horror game? Not really. But it's still very well-conceived and well-composed. If you've spent a lot of time in the genre, it won't impress you, but you'll probably find a lot of things to appreciate about its straightforward design, smart presentation, and interesting plot

Of all vaguely non-euclidean, occasionally surrealist, hand-drawn investigative folk-horror crime games where you bumble about in proto-swiss-challet cabins. This is, at the very least, top three.

A Swiss Alps survival folk horror with a unique pencil shaded aesthetic. Delightfully creepy and surreal. Ten out of ten talking goats!

Don't read what this game is about. Go into it blind.