Absinth

About

Absinth is a puzzle-driven horror adventure where you piece together a fractured story through fragmented memories and eerie environments. You take on the role of a character figuring out their own amnesia, navigating a series of surreal, often disorienting scenarios in the dense California Redwoods. The gameplay leans heavily on environmental puzzles and an AR interface that lets you scan for hidden details. As you progress, the line between reality and hallucination blurs, forcing you to question what’s real and what’s been erased. The narrative unfolds through scattered documents and cryptic clues, all tied to a central mystery involving a missing daughter and a sinister AI presence. The game’s strongest points are its atmospheric tension and unconventional storytelling. The redwood forests and dimly lit interiors create a claustrophobic mood that amplifies the horror elements. While some players found the pacing uneven and the puzzles repetitive, others praised its bold approach to psychological thriller mechanics. With a runtime of around six hours, it’s a short but tightly wound experience that leans into its indie roots, prioritizing mood and mystery over polished action. The AR mechanics feel gimmicky at first but grow into a key tool for uncovering secrets. It’s not a flawless trip, but the unsettling tone and twisted narrative twists linger.

Storyline

Friday, 13th July 2018 The author Zane Zaminsky went to the Redwoods National Park in Orick, California to work on his new book. Two days later, the local Police Department in Orick locates Zane on the main road near the Redwoods after receiving an anonymous call. Chief Inspector Carter, who is in charge of the investigation of recently disappeared children in Orick, realizes that Zane seems to suffer from amnesia. As the investigation unfolds, more and more clues surface to suggest Zane’s past hides more than just the answer to his amnesia.