Following some creepy cinematics and an introduction to the game’s mechanics, one quickly realizes that Cryostasis is full of potential that isn’t quite met. Many of the ideas are incorporated nicely, but the game still feels noticeably rough and unfinished in many areas. Visiting red “memory hot spots” enable the player to have control over the pacing of certain activities; in the case of these hot spots, there may even be an opportunity to save someone’s life. These elements grant surprising depth to the atmosphere. By showing the player past events in an interactive format, one can scarcely help feeling at least a modicum of attachment to the characters. This improves upon the standard set by many other games, where random bodies (or even living characters) may have things happen to them, but since the player has no control over such events, apathy quickly follows.

The mechanics are fairly conventional as far as first person shooters go. The major exception to this is the heat-seeking mechanic. The freezing environment of the game functions essentially like a countdown with a diminishing health meter. The player is constantly motivated to seek out heat sources in order to stay alive; these also repair any damage done by enemies, which although strange, is probably more suitable than having the player worry about refilling multiple meters in an atmospherically dense game.

Puzzle elements are scattered throughout the game, but they feel more like a distraction than a meaningful or thoughtful task. The combat mechanics are admittedly lackluster in many respects. The enemies, though interesting in their design, don’t quite have the variety or intelligence to keep the combat as fresh and exciting as it could be. Some encounters can feel like more a chore than an invigorating challenge, but the mysterious storyline pushes the player onward. Unfortunately, Cryostasis is reminiscent of the Dreamcast’s D2, as the story bears more mysterious flash than substance, so players may feel disappointed when it concludes. This is easily the game’s biggest letdown, as a fulfilling narrative would have been suitable for such an outstanding visual design.

Due to its overall pace, Cryostasis may feel unacceptable to hardcore FPS players. This is unfortunate, because as problematic as much of the game can be, there’s still a lot to be admired here. Graphically, the game runs nicely with excellent detail and particularly moody lighting, although some optimization is recommended for a smoother performance. The audio is even more vivid, with cracking ice and mysterious shuffling nudging the player into a steady state of alarm. The voice acting is also strong, which is especially important in a game like this, where one weak element can cause the whole product to falter. If you can handle a game that is clearly imperfect, Cryostasis is certainly worth a go. It’s a short ride, so don’t expect it to tide you over for too long. 

Gameplay: 8.0
Flawed, but easy to learn and occasionally inspired.

Graphics: 8.0 
A variety of visual effects and terrific lighting ensures you’ll always be on your toes.

Sound: 8.5
Audio is consistently strong, and likely the game’s greatest strength.

Difficulty: Easy/Medium
There is a bit of frustration, but generally the game’s challenges feel watered down.

Concept: 7.5 
Just enough to ensure the game stands out among its competitors, even if the execution feels slightly rushed.

Overall: 8.1
Despite its problems, Cryostasis is filled with enough clever nuance to warrant a closer look. Improvements made for a sequel could propel things to tremendous levels of playability.