Galerians (1999)

This is a psychological survival horror that was developed at a time when the genre was heavily defined by zombies and biological experiments. This game chose a different direction, blending science fiction, psychic powers, and dystopian themes into a darker, more cerebral experience. The MC is called Rion, a teenager who awakens in a hospital with no memory of who he is (another one of those amnesia tropes), only to discover that he possesses destructive psychic abilities and is being hunted by other individuals called Galerians.

What immediately sets the game apart is its combat system, instead of firearms or melee weapons, you rely on psychic attacks such as telekinesis and pyrokinesis. These powers are activated through injectable drugs, which temporarily boost his abilities but also increase the unstable mental state. Managing this balance becomes a core part of gameplay, adding tension beyond simple health management. This mechanic gives the game a unique identity, akin to something like Parasite Even, though with more focus on the survival aspect, since it is more restrained and you have less ability options.

Atmosphere is one of it's strongest elements, the pre-rendered backgrounds are detailed, creating a cold world filled with abandoned facilities and eerie corridors. The OST reinforces the unsettling tone, while the lengthy CGI cutscenes, which was impressive a the time, attempt to deliver a cinematic narrative. And this makes up for the number of discs, this game has a total of three discs, solely due to the amount of visual details and elaborate cutscenes. The story focuses on themes of artificial intelligence, human experimentation, and psychological trauma, giving the game a moody feel that distinguishes it from more traditional horror titles.

That said, the game is undeniably a product of late-1990s design, tank controls and fixed camera angles can make navigation frustrating, especially during intense encounters. I don't particularly mind the tank controls, but I know this is a big deal for a lot of people, especially for modern audiences. Combat can feel stiff, and some difficulty spikes may catch you off guard. Particularly the boss fights which can be, either a walk in the park, or a total nightmare. Pacing is also somewhat uneven, with long stretches of exploration interrupted by sudden boss fights that demand precise resource management.

Despite its flaws, this game remains an ambitious and memorable entry in the survival horror genre. It may not have achieved the widespread recognition of its contemporaries, but its unique mechanics, heavy atmosphere, and bold sci-fi narrative have earned it a cult following. For people interested in experimental horror experiences from the PlayStation era, it stands as an intriguing and distinctive title worth revisiting. I highly recommend checking this out if you are a fan of survival horror, though I don't consider it a must-play in any way, so much so that I decided not to play the PlayStation 2 sequel myself.

Game finished after around 7 hours (the box said "20 hours of gameplay" xD).

The gameplay is fine. It's beatable without a guide, and both battles and exploration are fair. Not the best in the genre, but it works.

But the story and above that the characters are charming and interesting. So I would say the game worths a try specially thanks to them.