Maid of Sker - Two Minute Review!

Free from Epic Games between July 18th and July 25th 2024

Title: Maid of Sker

Summary: Maid of Sker is a first-person survival horror, set in a remote hotel with a gory and macabre history from British folklore. Brave the nightmares of the Quiet Ones. Do not panic…don't even breathe!

Release Date: July 28th 2020

Rating: Rated M for Mature

Developer: Wales Interactive
Publisher: Wales Interactive

Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Switch, PS4, Series S/X, PS5

Genres: Survival

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Maid of Sker (made of scare?) is a first-person survival horror game set in the eerie confines of a remote hotel. The game immerses players in a stealth-heavy experience, requiring them to distract and sneak past hordes of mindless zombie-like enemies. The game creates a tense and unsettling atmosphere that utilizes sound and light to great effect. The story is based on Welsh folklore, and can be linear and predictable at times, but stays intriguing and provides a compelling supernatural backdrop for the game.


The unique selling point is that all the enemies are blind, and drawn to sound. The only weapon players receive is a device that temporarily stuns enemies, but ammo is scarce. Consequently, much of the gameplay involves slow methodical crawling and hiding JUST out of the enemies' paths. This is made more difficult by the protagonist's tendency to cough at any dust or smoke, although players can hold their breath at the cost of making significant noise upon exhaling.

Because of these mechanics however, the game often feels overly passive and slow-paced, with extensive periods of inactivity. The most significant issue is the enemies predictable and limited AI, which detracts from the overall horror experience. The game’s reliance on sound is both a strength and a weakness. While the audio design contributes to the creepy atmosphere, it can be overwhelming at times. Additionally, the game does not clearly indicate how much noise the player is making or how far enemies can hear, leading to occassionally frustrating deaths. The other issue is an old-fashioned save system, allowing saves only in specific rooms. This can be frustrating as it often leads to replaying large sections of the game upon death.


Overall, while the games implementation isn't perfect, it's commendable that it offers something new that should be engaging enough for the roughly four-hour experience.