In true adventure fashion, there isn’t a huge focus on combat (at least not from what we saw), though if the final product turns out anything like its predecessor you can expect some tense, first-person scraps. Like the main characters from any Silent Hill iteration, Philip isn’t a gun-wielding vigilante or buff superhero. His physical limitations heighten the sense of vulnerability, so fighting is more of a last resort. More often than not he’ll need to hide from his pursuers using a mechanic similar to the one employed in the classic action title Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay. When you crouch in the shadows, the screen is tinted blue signifying that you are hidden. It’s a subtle mechanic, but one that works much better than the obtrusive stealth meters found in similar games. Hiding only works if Philip is calm, though, so he can’t stare at grisly sights for too long, lest he’ll lose his cool and blow his cover.

If you’re a fan of survival horror titles and looking for a new adventure, Penumbra: Black Plague should be on your watch list for 2008. While the preview build we saw was a little rough around the edges, we’ve been told that a number of refinements will make it into the final product. Look for the GWN review in the coming months.