Who would've thought that not every unsuspecting horror game victim carries a firearm?
The game features a very different dynamic than many horror games, preferring short episodes of high intensity, heart-racing panic over the sustained but mitigated anxiety of its survival horror cousins. The frequent lack of effective weapons (or sometimes, any weapons at all) will keep you on the edge of your seat, although frequent checkpoints keep the game from becoming too terribly frustrating. Sightjacking, the ability to perceive the world through the eyes of other characters or the Shibito, helps give you an idea of what's around you and ahead of you, although it may end up making you more uneasy than confident.
The game features several different playable characters with different capabilities (the types of weapons that can be used with each character are limited, and some are allowed no form of resistance against enemies, meaning when you're caught it's back to the checkpoint). This level of variety naturally suit various strategies, but even each individual character has several choices at their disposal. Often, other characters will suggest preset strategies for defeating or avoiding certain enemies, but there is more than one way to skin a Shibito in Siren. Those who prefer to employ melee, stealth, or environment in their struggle will be pleasantly surprised with the array of options available for tackling each obstacle, even if the game itself is quite linear (as nearly all horror games are).
While the plot itself sounds like it could have come from the screenplay of any cliched Japanese horror film, the characters are enough to keep you invested in the game. There is a rather large cast, both Japanese and American, whose fates become intertwined as the game progresses, keeping the game interesting enough to have you coming back for more. However, don't expect the thematic sophistication or psychological complexity of the Silent Hill franchise, nor the not-so-subtle (to a fault) social and political commentary of Resident Evil games. The storyline is character-driven and the enemies are somewhat derivative, but because these concerns are secondary to gameplay, it won't matter while you're playing.
The episodic nature of the game also makes it easy to play even with a busy schedule. While many horror games will keep you more frightened of missing your next important appointment before you find a save point than the fictional terrors presented within, Siren makes it easy to sit down and play a segmented portion of an episode (which are usually divided into four segments) without having to worry about whether or not you'll be able to play through to the next save point. For those who are concerned, Siren shouldn't keep you up at night, but it should keep your heart rate way up while you're playing it.
All in all, Siren Blood Curse is a fresh twist on the horror genre that was surprisingly good. It's a game that can be scary and fun at the same time and encourages users to explore their own interactive preferences when tackling the obstacles that lie in their paths. At a significant discount from the usual price of next-gen games, I don't hesitate to recommend this game to casual horror gamers or enthusiasts alike. At the very least, download the first four episodes and see if you're not addicted.