Incidence (video game)

Incidence is a 2023 first-person psychological horror video game developed by Atreyu Games and published by Hound Picked Games. The game is set in a remote, abandoned research facility located in the Arctic. Players assume the role of Dr. Miranda Reyes, a scientist investigating the disappearance of her research team and the strange phenomena that plagued the facility prior to their vanishing.

The gameplay of Incidence focuses primarily on exploration, puzzle-solving, and environmental storytelling. Dr. Reyes navigates the dilapidated facility, searching for clues to piece together the events that led to the team's disappearance. The atmosphere emphasizes suspense and dread, employing visual and auditory cues to unsettle the player. Combat is minimal, with the game primarily relying on psychological elements to create a sense of vulnerability and fear.

Key mechanics include:

• Exploration: Players explore interconnected environments within the research facility, including laboratories, living quarters, and maintenance areas.
• Puzzle-solving: Progress is often gated by environmental puzzles requiring players to find items, manipulate objects, and decipher clues.
• Document discovery: Scattered documents, such as research logs, emails, and personal notes, provide narrative context and reveal the history of the facility and its inhabitants.
• Limited Inventory: Dr. Reyes can only carry a limited number of items, forcing players to make strategic decisions about what to keep and what to discard.

Incidence received mixed reviews upon release. Critics generally praised its atmospheric environments and sound design, but noted that the pacing could be uneven and the puzzle difficulty occasionally inconsistent. The game is available on PC and console platforms.