During the First World War, a lone French soldier must navigate twisted trenches, scavenge for limited supplies and solve complex puzzles - all whilst fighting for survival in the midst of mankind’s most brutal and horrifying conflict. CONSCRIPT is a new take on classic survival horror.
As a French soldier during the Battle of Verdun in World War I, players must navigate treacherous trenches, abandoned forts, and the war-torn countryside in search of their missing brother. Without access to supernatural elements, the game relies on the realities of trench warfare to create a tense, oppressive atmosphere.
Players have a limited number of item slots in their backpack, forcing them to carefully choose which supplies to carry. This creates difficult decisions as players must balance ammunition, healing items, melee weapons, and key quest items. Backtracking to access storage lockers becomes a regular part of progression as players swap out items as needed.
The level design encourages thorough exploration, with areas frequently locking off certain paths or items until new tools or keys are found. Solving environmental puzzles, such as deciphering coded messages or finding the birthdate of a fallen soldier, is required to unlock new areas and continue the search.
When confronted by enemy soldiers, players must carefully manage their limited ammunition and stamina. Firearms require deliberate reloading after each shot, and stealth and evasion are often preferable to direct combat, as ammunition is scarce. Melee weapons such as shovels and bayonets provide a risky but effective alternative when ammunition is depleted.
The game offers multiple difficulty settings, ranging from "Soldier" (the default) to the more punishing "Veteran" mode. The higher difficulties limit the number of save points and healing items, ratcheting up the tension and forcing players to be more cautious in their approach. Multiple endings and unlockable bonuses encourage experimentation across multiple playthroughs.