Thinking I’d be driving around an oval track for 200 laps or more, pretending to be Tom Cruise, Indika wasn’t the title I’d thought it was. It’s not a racing game, but a surreal existential tale set in 19th-century Russia, where you play a nun who is tormented by inner monologues and her faith. Before playing the game, I’d watched a trailer or two, and some of them were batshit crazy and piqued my interest, though the trailers with the narrator were a little comical and confusing. I suggest going in blind. After reading this, of course.
As the titular heroine, you’re told by the covenant to hand-deliver a letter. It’s been some time since Indika was allowed to leave the grounds, so this trip offers a little bit of respite as she’s seemingly hated by everyone there, as if the nuns have been burdened with nurturing the offspring of Satan. She’s far from that, but perhaps Indika is a little more open to the voices of ‘evil’ than the sisterhood is.
Indika is unlike anything else you’ve played. Sure, the third-person visuals look like any other open-world experience, yet the events that take place, the puzzles, and the monologue with your inner demon are incredibly unique and definitely thought-provoking, whether you are religious or not. The unanswered questions and statements Odd-Meter’s game will resonate (unless video games have rotted your brain), and will allow you to dive as deep as you wish to go. Yet it’s also a game of contradictions, and if I’m to level with you, they like to troll players.
It’s not that the game is unreasonable or particularly difficult, though some of the tasks are meaningless. They do, however, play a large part in the questions you can ask yourself during and after playing, or you can stumble through, neck another can on Monster, then move on to the next. For me, Indika as a story, and its characters and setting, were absolutely riveting, though some of the gameplay mechanics – in particular, some pixel art mini-games were annoying.
Faith plays a big part in the game, obviously, and throughout are collectables that will increase your score. A prominent counter spoils the corner of the screen throughout the alluring visuals, indicating that this is your goal and, like a classic Sierra game, the goal posts are constantly moving, prompting you to walk around every corner, explore every cranny – even a nun’s fanny. I couldn’t help myself. Despite being able to level up with points modifiers, this point system is… pointless. The game even warns you, but is it a double bluff? Walking off the beaten track yet again reveals… nothing, so perhaps you don’t need points after all? Regardless, you have to do the mini-games.
Those expecting an IndyCar game will be pleased to know that Indika is, in fact, a petrol head. Besides her knowledge of pistons and catalytic convertors (not invented in 19th-century Russia, fact-checkers), there are some pixel art racing games, as well as third-person Penny Farthing-like motorised moments. These bits are fine, but the platform sections were irritating, and a roof scenario was potentially game-breaking as it was sooooo annoying. Fortunately, I finished it and could continue to enjoy my game and get a relatively straightforward Platinum.
As noted, when not looking at the pixelated score counter, Indika is a truly beautiful game despite being incredibly bleak. One of the standouts, besides the character designs and our hero’s actual journey, was random benches that could be sat on, with the option to see various high/low angles of the surrounding scene. They served no gameplay purpose or achievements, but were perfectly placed to truly absorb Indika’s world. A very minor thing, which I’m sure many will overlook, yet definitely a highlight, as was the brilliant soundtrack. Absurd, frustrating, brilliant, ethereal, complex, but ultimately unique, there’s nothing quite like Indika, and for that reason, I suggest you have a little faith and check it out.
