In The Pit is a unique, self-described "audio-only" game, worth at least a trial. But is it worth buying?
Community games are the definitive example of independent videogames as far as the XBox 360 is concerned, and the concept of a game with no visuals whatsoever at once both intrigues and repels potential buyers- and to those with a serious visual handicap, or who simply want to relax their eyes after hours of playing their favorite game, it can be a relaxing way to pass the time.
In The Pit is a game you can play with the brightness down... all the way down.
As a matter of fact, the only reason to even leave the television on is to check Notifications or to Quick Launch a different game.
You take the role of a terrifying monster (okay, I'm being dramatic, in the pitch dark environment you could be a giant treasure troll for all I know) whose job, and main source of nutrition, is to consume the enemies of its owner.
Sounds fun, right?
Lest we forget, though, that your only means of tracking them are the sounds of their footsteps, and in some cases dialogue (usually the same repeating line, which can get annoying seeing how you really can't hit mute on an audio-only game- I'd call that Hellen Keller difficulty) meaning that finding your target can be tricky (now I know how Kenshi felt on Mortal Kombat)
For this reason, you'll have a much easier time playing the game on a home theater or other audio amplifier, in surround sound.
Occasionally, you'll be approaching them, ready to eat this poor unsuspecting individual, when suddenly they move somewhere far away- the reason for this is, that just as hearing them is essential to your success, their ability to hear you is crucial to their survival, so unless you are careful approaching your target (in layman's terms, gently move the joystick rather than holding it in a particular direction) they'll be alerted to your presence and run away.
After a level's completion, you'll be "introduced" to your next prey by your captor through a momentary dialogue, and immediately continue to the next.
The two main problems here are the lack of a save system, and any form of post-level performance rating (unless you feel like using a stopwatch) Also, losing, dying, or otherwise failing are out of the question (unless you count getting frustrated and exiting to the dashboard as dying) your only motivation for playing the game any farther than you would in the trial is to see how it all ends, which really is the basic motivation for a lot of games, albeit those games usually have a bit more to offer.
Yes, the concept of an audio-only game is intriguing, if you are looking for a truly different, unique experience, In The Pit provides just that, but do I see it as the type of game most people will play for more than thirty minutes to an hour at a time?
No, I don't.
Again, I hate to take anything away from this game because it is worth at least a trial simply because it truly stands in a genre all its own, and worth a buy if you like collecting uniquely strange games.
Blessed Be