LETHAL OMEN for Windows

Gothic Fantasy Role Playing Action Game

LETHAL OMEN is a free first-person shooter (FPS) from developer Alpine Arts. This retro action experience sends you to a summer camp, exploring the location and uncovering the secrets of the place–all while gunning down various enemies.

LETHAL OMEN's low-resolution polygonal graphics look like something straight from the first Tomb Raider, and its interface is reminiscent of House of the Dead III. However, its lack of an intro video or backstory leaves a lot of questions and adds to the suspense of the game. The first you start it, you go in blind, not knowing who or what you’re up against.

Like straight out of a VHS

In terms of graphics, not only does LETHAL OMEN use low poly graphics, its overall color scheme makes it look dated–similar to something out of a VCR or a VHS player. This is not impressive for today’s video games, although it makes for a great nostalgic trip if you’ve played old-school video games that used similar graphics quality back in the day.

The game doesn’t tell you what to do and where to go. The map is bound by barriers that prohibit access, although certain parts of the map look like dead ends but are actually accessible–you have to explore and see it for yourself. Despite looking like a random, unfinished game, there’s actually a story and multiple endgame scenarios. It ranges from the “true ending” to the creepier “mannequin ending.”

Lastly, the game almost completely lacks music. What you can only hear throughout the gameplay besides your movements is a few audio cues for interacting with the environment. Aside from the lack of any background audio, the game has a short playthrough. You can access any of the endings in a matter of minutes. A game this surprisingly creepy deserves more content.

A surprising treat

LETHAL OMEN, despite the simple and dated graphics it uses, manages to be a thrilling game experience. It has simple controls, simple gameplay mechanics, and a single level. The game also offers multiple endings achievable in a short time, mainly because of its short playthrough. However, what makes this game interesting is that upon finding the “true ending,” it leaves more questions than it answers, making you want for more.