Maid of Sker Review – A Musician’s Nightmare

Over the years, Wales Interactive has created some amazing games, most including FMV. From Complex, Late Shift and the horror game with a bit of a buzz, Don’t Knock Twice, the team has stepped in a new direction, creating new puzzles and jump scares in Maid of Sker. Take one last breath as this is an interesting nail biter.

It’s Just a Lullaby

Maid of Sker takes place in 1898 as you play as the better half of Elisabeth Williams,Thomas, in search of her after receiving a mysterious letter of needing to sing the “Siren Song.” If that wasn’t enough, she’s being threatened by her father and uncle (Eugene and Isaac). Your travels bring you to the Sker Hotel, owned by Elisabeth’s family who are lovers of music. Upon arrival however, nothing is what is seems with people missing everywhere, Elisabeth in hiding and a brain-washed staff hunting people by sound. Now, it’s up to you to find four brass cylinders and utilize them on the Grand Hall’s harmonium, hopefully putting a stop to the madness.

Genuinely, this is one title where “silence is golden.” The staff (called the quiet ones) are everywhere, and most puzzles become tedious over time, not because of what to expect, but the layers of execution in many objectives. Covering your mouth is only a part of becoming a survivor in Maid of Sker as there’s debris all over, leaving you at risk to stepping on glass or simply rustling leaves. It’s equally about timing and strategy. The staff can hear almost everything, even far away, often causing you to second guess your next move. The AI is extremely alert, depending on difficulty, picking up on a cough as you walk through a mist or passing a poisonous toxin they can drop and release in the air.

Your Only Line of Defense

You’d think Agent 47 had it bad, imagine trying to ramble through an entire hotel with no weapon, nor a way to block or punch. Self-defense is out the window, and it sucks. You are however equipped with a device known as a phonic modulator that stuns every searcher within reach, allowing you safe passage out a tight situation. As for navigation, maps are well hidden in chests throughout the hotel. While certain areas may seem obvious, I often found myself exploring in the wrong direction a few times (bad idea with no health). I equally appreciated the experience as I traversed, picking up helpful items such as modulator cartridges and health potions (Nervous Tonic) along the way, which by the way felt scarce.

Maid of Sker’s save feature is rather unique as you search for green rooms with phonograms that saves your progress. Each save is well worth it as the audio files play in each room shares back story to exactly what the family motives are and have been leading up to your rescue. There are also music dolls you can collect as well while making your way through the hotel. No matter how “dark” it may become, there’s one something for every adventurer.

If I had any complaint at all it would be the lack of self-defense. While you can’t shoot them, likely because it’s the most noise you can make in the given situation, I would have loved the ability to fight back. When encountered, the staff will take a few swings at you, but I’ve also noticed they tend to pause from time to time, which felt like an opening for Thomas to return the favor. Even if I had died, it would have solidified the meaning of not going out without a fight.

Also Thomas, the character you play as, is the only character that doesn’t have a voice. I found this to be a bit disappointing everytime I answered a tubular phone and had to choose text box options rather than speaking. Not a big deal, but truly took away from the setting.

Beyond the Williams Secrets

The game does a great job allowing the player to feel like they’ve stepped into a moment in history while delivering a horrific, psychological story. So many times I wanted to aim and fire to only realize I needed run, hold my breath and creep away from the place I made the loudest noise. After a while, I became Thomas and felt that sense of fear for survival, forgetting for a moment it’s a rescue mission. But there are plenty of reminders from torture chambers, cages, hidden spikes and more. Seeing the staff in the same room is an eerie feeling, knowing they can’t see you but feeling as if they could. It’s a well-crafted mind screw, courtesy of Wales Interactive.

Controls were straightforward, crouching and taking deep breaths, one action button to perform objectives and activating the phonic modulator. The sensitivity was a little too high, which I was adjustable in settings. What complimented Maid of Sker the most was soundtrack. From the very moment I arrived outside the Sker Hotel, I felt a nervousness seek in, growing louder as I reached the gate or closed in on an objective. The Green Room allowed me to feel like I walked into a safe haven and for a brief moment, invincible. And that traumatic nudge knowing when something was near.

VERDICT

Wales has done a great job with Maid of Sker. The story dives rather deep and the puzzles keep you on wondering what is next. Taking the same route after dying to learn the staff is randomly spawned constantly changes the narrative for an unexpected terror. If you’re questioning of getting this game, your invitation is in the waiting room.