Doorways: Prelude

Doorways: Prelude leans on atmosphere more than on a deep game system, and that already tells you what kind of horror piece it is. By our assessment, the name fits: it is a short, story-led prelude that tries to set mood, deliver unease, and leave some loose ends hanging rather than build a full survival-horror sandbox. That makes it more interesting as a mood piece than as a mechanically rich game, so the strongest thing about it is the way it frames tension and space. The limit is obvious too: a prelude is a narrow form, and this one is not trying to offer the breadth or replay value of a larger horror title. In practice you are moving through corridors, reading the environment, and waiting for the next scare or clue. It sits beside other compact indie horror games, and the shorter format is the whole deal. By our assessment, it is mostly for players who want a quick, moody taste of horror rather than a long system to live in.