REVIEW: ‘INDIKA’ Is An Arthouse Storytelling Of Blessings And Truths In Disguise (PC)

Developed by Odd Meter and published by 11 bit studios is a peculiar INDIKA. It is a third-person narrative-driven game set in an alternative version of Russia. It closely follows a young nun named Indika who grasps at her rosary as tightly as her grip on reality. Something is tainting her mind and is disrupting her path to enlightenment.

Walk in the shoes of Indika, a young nun navigating Russia’s bleak and chilly landscape. Dating some time before the Russian Revolution, players are placed against the backdrop of a pure white snow covered monastery and industrial locations. At the monastery, Indika seems to be trying her best to adjust to a nunnery lifestyle. It becomes clear her mind is elsewhere and her simple existence amongst her sisters is a hindrance.

Inspired by arthouse cinema style of film-making, INDIKA moves at a similar pacing and visual.  It is experimental in its delivery while integrating complimenting game features. While there are puzzles players will have to engage in, much of it is simply witnessing the story unfold. They serve as genuine obstacles for Indika as she moves through various environments.

As she’s tasked with simple commands like fetching water from a specific well, conflicting thoughts narrate her actions. It’s as if the Devil himself is always with her acting. Whether as her inner monologue or vocal narrator for INDIKA, she periodically acknowledges it. Gradually, Indika is compelled to venture outside the confines of the monastery. When presented with a task that takes her beyond the walls, Indika embarks on a journey of self-discovery. As she attempts to deliver a letter, the veil slowly lifts to reveal Indika’s connection to her beliefs and faith.

Under its religious premise, INDIKA deftly explores themes of isolation and introspection. Juxtaposing themes like good and evil between characters or scenery, carry from beginning to end. It makes for a visually beautiful and crafty storytelling. While INDIKA is mainly experienced through a third-person perspective, it periodically transitions to a whimsical pixel style mode triggered by Indika’s memories. This aesthetic shift provides a stark contrast to Indika’s dreary present-day self.

In these memories is a younger Indika. Her gamified, bit-style memory is colorful and bright. There’s an innocence held here that her older self recalls as she begins to trace the parallel between her faith and her past. Through story progression, these brief visits to her adolescence serve as mini-games for players. A hop and skip in some light platforming to reach the roof of the house at night tells of Indika’s curiosity. A quick race around the neighborhood with Dad begins to explain her knowledge of operating vehicles.

These alternating visual styles add depth to the narrative, offering glimpses into Indika’s mind and emotions. While memories are essential in the tale of Indika, they offer the players lightness against the monochromatic isolation of self-discovery.

As Indika journeys through a blanketed snowy Russia players are presented with puzzles in the world as well. While some require multiple attempts and different approaches, it doesn’t feel frustrating and is not overly complicated. Players may find themselves tasked with extracting large architectural structures to create a pathway. Alternatively, some require uncovering the correct order of actions to navigate through complex environments and reach key destinations.

Each puzzle is intricately woven into the narrative. Notably, one of my favorite puzzles transforms the entire environment into a hellish red. Indika must steel herself by praying and in doing so, it shifts a ruptured terrain into solid paths she can cross.

In INDIKA, it knowingly gamifies itself. As an example, gold coins appear with a tune whenever she lights a candle at a religious altar or happens to find a hidden task. The coins earned are tracked in the top left corner and resemble experience points. Once players reach the next threshold amount of coins, you can invest in the “skill tree” to Level Up. Leveling up looks like “Guilt 5” which gives you “750 additional points right now.” There is a clear marker when you see the chart that signal a capacity. The question and satire begin, however, once the game periodically reminds you of the value of the coins and your efforts.

INDIKA grounds intrigue with its arthouse cinematic flair and satire. It engages curiosity and entertainment. Its world is shrouded in emptiness and questions that mirror Indika’s internal struggles. While it uses religion as a foundation, INDIKA differs in its choice of music and artistic direction. It hits you hard at first with peculiarities but begins to slowly untangle to a philosophical resolution. It parallels how believing and wanting something so intently can result in hard truths.

INDIKA releases on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S on May 2, 2024.