The Bunker
Overview -
Splendy Games is a new British developer specializing in live-action video games. This was a format briefly popular in the 90s (and along with 'Mortal Kombat' led to the ESRB, thanks 'Night Trap') but has since petered out until recently, when titles like 'Her Story' are seeing the light of day. 'The Bunker' is available for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
Video Review
'The Bunker' has an inconsistent presentation. Sometimes it looks nice, and other times it doesn't quite reach HD, with lots of grain on the screen. The setting is perfect - the devs filmed in a real bunker filled with Cold War era tech, and it's as creepy as you'd expect. Controls, when you need them, are sluggish and the tooltips are tiny.
Audio Review
It's unusual to have to comment on live acting instead of just voice in this part of HDD, but the cast of 'The Bunker' does a good job. John's mom (Sarah Green) is the best part, and John himself is decent but really lays it on during the melodramatic bits. The retro soundtrack fits in very well.
Final Thoughts
I had a tough time taking 'The Bunker' seriously. It was an admirable attempt at live-action psychological horror, but the John segments meander on and stumble around like the main character. It's not entirely predictable, but nor is it treading new ground.