Have you ever sat through a horror movie and found yourself cheering for the slimy, tentacled creature instead of the terrified scientists? Most of us have been conditioned to play the hero, but Carrion flips the script entirely. It isn’t just another Metroidvania platformer; it is a full-blown “reverse horror” experience that lets you inhabit the role of the monster, and frankly, it is the most fun I have had in a long time.
What is Carrion?
In Carrion, you play as an amorphous, red, multi-mouthed biomass of pure chaos. You wake up in an underground research facility, and you want out. There is no complex plot to follow, and that is exactly why it works. You aren’t bothered with deep dialogue or long cutscenes. Instead, the story unfolds through your actions and the frantic environment around you. You are the protagonist, the antagonist, and the entire disaster in one package.
The Mechanics: Slime, Speed, and Chaos
The standout feature here is undoubtedly the movement. Developers Phobia Game Studio have done an incredible job making you feel fluid and unsettling. You don’t walk; you ooze, stretch, and latch onto walls with absolute freedom. Using a controller, especially on a handheld device, feels intuitive and incredibly satisfying.
The combat is where the “power” in this power fantasy really shines. You can snatch enemies from the ceiling, tear doors off their hinges, and toss researchers around like ragdolls. As you consume biomass, you grow larger and unlock new abilities from turning invisible to charging through barricades with razor-sharp spines.
However, it isn’t all perfect. The game struggles significantly with navigation. There is no map, and no way to track your objectives. While the lack of hand-holding is initially refreshing, it eventually devolves into aimless wandering. Spending an hour lost in a facility you’ve already cleared is a surefire way to kill the momentum. It turns what should be a tight, fast-paced escape into a bit of a slog.
Should You Play It?
If you enjoy games like Maneater or the chaotic destruction of Prototype, you are going to feel right at home here. It shares the DNA of classic Metroidvanias, focusing on unlocking new areas through gained abilities, but it trades the usual “hero’s journey” for a “creature’s escape.”
The Final Verdict
Carrion manages to make you feel like the most dangerous thing in the room. Despite the lack of a map causing some unnecessary frustration, the moment-to-moment gameplay of smashing through a high-tech facility is consistently entertaining. If you want a unique, bite-sized experience that lets you lean into your darker side, this is an easy pick-up, especially if you can snag it in a Steam Sale like I did.
Recommended? Yes.
