REVIEW: ‘GYLT’ Highlights the Horrors of Bullying (XSX)

Developed by Tequila Works, GYLT is a horror action-adventure game that revolves around Sally’s search for her missing cousin, Emily. The game delves into dark and twisted alternate realities filled with monsters, as Sally navigates the eerie reflection world to rescue Emily before it’s too late. The chilling atmosphere and the presence of monsters set the stage for a thrilling and suspenseful gameplay experience. It is up to the players to navigate this nightmare realm using stealth, puzzles, and combat to find Emily before the monsters find her.

One of the key strengths of GYLT is its world-building. As players progress through GYLT, the story behind Emily’s disappearance gradually unfolds. The game sets a content warning for bullying even before reaching the main menu, foreshadowing the core themes that revolve around the physical and psychological effects of bullying. The warped alternate reality presents a distorted version of Emily and Sally’s school, where Emily struggled to adjust due to the bullying she endured. Throughout the game, players encounter journals that provide additional lore, suggesting that Sally and Emily are not the first to confront this nightmarish alternate reality.

The game mechanics in GYLT are straightforward, offering players the tools to overcome challenges early on. GYLT stands out by allowing players to either stealthily evade monsters or confront them head-on. With an arsenal that includes an inhaler, flashlight, fire suppressor, and nimble movements, players can either sneak around and distract enemies or engage in combat using their flashlight or the environment. This approach differentiates GYLT from other games in the genre, where being discovered often leads to instant death. The inclusion of extra batteries and health-restoring inhalers allows players to engage in combat without feeling pressured to conserve resources, offering a refreshing gameplay experience for those who are not accustomed to stealth or horror games.

Apart from evading and slaying monsters, GYLT incorporates a variety of puzzles, including lock and key, trick shot, block, and circuit puzzles. These puzzles provide a welcome respite from intense encounters with monsters and are generally easy to solve. Most puzzles are intuitive and can be solved within 15 minutes, ensuring a smooth progression through the game. Some puzzles reward players with collectibles that expand upon Emily’s story and the experiences of others who have encountered this alternate reality contributing to the game’s overall narrative and character development. Overall, the puzzles are enjoyable and, although they could have benefitted from a slight increase in difficulty, they never feel like a chore.

One of the GYLT‘s standout features is its attention to environmental detail. The game’s sound design is excellent, and the voice acting adds to the haunting atmosphere. However, it’s the visual details that truly leave an impression. Players are encouraged to explore every nook and cranny of the environment, as the world-building elements contribute significantly to the story. From the writings on the walls to the placement of mannequins and subtle audio cues, the environment immerses players in the narrative, encouraging them to engage with their surroundings to gain a deeper understanding of the story. The attention to detail allows players to engage with the world and discover the subtleties that enhance the storytelling experience.

The subtlety of GYLT‘s environmental design effectively reinforces its core message. As Sally uncovers more about Emily’s ordeal, she gradually realizes her own role in the bullying. This realization mirrors the real-life impact of bullying and serves as a powerful commentary on the importance of addressing such issues. Growing up in the Latinx community where verbal abuse and peer bullying are prevalent, I couldn’t help but empathize with both Sally’s and Emily’s experiences. Nicknames at the expense of appearance and running jokes that seem fun and light on the outside can cut just as deep as any physical altercation and have long-standing effects on a person’s mental health. This parallel between the dark and twisted version of the town and the characters’ personal experiences is a poignant reflection on the consequences of overlooking the effects of bullying.

However, despite its many strengths, GYLT encounters some shortcomings in its third act. The game’s climax and final boss battle lack the depth and impact seen in the rest of the gameplay, which may leave players somewhat unsatisfied with the conclusion. Most of the game focuses on pursuing Emily through various locations within a school, interspersed with a few boss battles. Up until this point, the experience is highly enjoyable. However, the final confrontation with the last monster feels underwhelming compared to previous encounters. Instead of utilizing the stealth and combat mechanics that have been central to the game, the final boss battle feels forced and lacking in player agency.

Further, the choices offered in the game’s ending also fail to provide a satisfying resolution, leaving me feeling somewhat empty. The consequences of the player’s choice are so disposition to the reality of the situation that it felt jarring. There was an opportunity, even in a down ending, to complete the game’s commentary on bullying in a way that will leave players reflecting on their own experiences. Instead, I was left thinking, “Well, what was the point?” even after having the ability to see both endings that are provided. Both felt like they traded in shock value for a satisfying conclusion of the story it worked so hard to tell. Despite the availability of post-game content and collectibles, the unsatisfying conclusion diminishes the desire to further explore the story.

Overall, GYLT provides a solid entry point into the horror video game genre, especially for those who are not typically drawn to such games. The presence of a child protagonist, simple controls, and relatable themes of bullying and self-worth make it accessible to a wide audience. While there are moments of tension and scares, the horror elements are relatively mild compared to other games in the genre. The option to fight monsters adds a layer of comfort and aligns with the game’s overarching theme of confronting fears directly. Despite its ending, GYLT‘s compelling narrative and thematic exploration encourage players to take their first steps into the world of horror video games.

GYLT is available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, and PC on July 6, 2023.