Imprinted is an upcoming mystery game that has you uncovering a ghost story from the “comfort” of a fake operating system.
Everywhere you go, there is a ghost story not far from you. Maybe it’s human nature to scare ourselves from the mysteries of the unknown, or possibly an astral plane does exist. We will never know. What we do know is that supernatural tales of this vein have existed as long as we have. Today, real-life ghost hunters dedicate their lives to pooling resources and finding proof of the paranormal’s existence. For someone as skeptical as I, even writing that last sentence defies convention. But it’s true. Reddit threads, Facebook communities, and so on are ready to jump the gun and believe. Perhaps that is why Imprinted, a game where you conduct an investigation through a desktop operating system, feels so unnerving to play.
Scary Times Ahead
Vincent Brandt is an audio engineer focused on the restoration of corrupted files. In the two-day preview that I played, several normal requests came through a WhatsApp/Slack-esque messaging system to fix seemingly lost files. There is a unique sense of immersion playing on your computer but actually playing inside an in-game desktop. The line between fact and fiction is easily blurred. All editing is done via a more accessible digital audio workstation than Ableton or Pro Tools. By turning a few knobs and changing some sound waves, everything sounds fine and dandy. At least in the beginning.
Something I appreciate greatly about a game like Imprinted is that it does not hold your hand. If you wish to do so, you are free to peruse through Vincent’s files. What a time to be a nosy person. Then again, curiosity killed the cat, didn’t it? Going through previous conversations with other characters, a picture starts to arise. Vince is a deeply introverted person, had a recent fallout with a coworker, and is entrenched in his work because of it.
The best ghost stories place a blissfully unaware protagonist in a vulnerable situation. They regret their ignorance as soon as they are conscious of their predicament. By this point, it is already too late. Imprinted takes its time to grip you in its mystery, sometimes showing a glitchy screen before opening a strange file you downloaded. At others, restoring the voice of an old woman narrating an impossibly haunting experience that raises your heartbeat. Clever puzzles that send you on a scavenger hunt through your computer files to find a password thicken the tension.
Conclusion
Entering any type of media with no previous knowledge is one of the greatest joys in life, from my perspective. Not knowing what the gist is, piecing the narrative as you go about, and finding your footing are all special moments without having any preconceived notions. In this case, even if you watch the trailer or read this preview, you still have no idea what you are in for. Not terribly frightening, the way Imprinted unfolds is disturbingly good.
You can wishlist Imprinted on Steam. Its announcement trailer can be watched here. You have been warned.
