Revenge of the colon is a story driven, single-player, atmospheric, body horror game with multiple endings. Perform colonoscopies on five patients and discover the horrors concealed deep within them. PS1 horror style!
You, the player, take on the role of a respected gastroenterologist tasked with performing colonoscopies on five different patients. The gameplay primarily involves navigating the claustrophobic colons of these patients using a first-person perspective. You must carefully maneuver your medical device through the winding tunnels, using the camera view to identify any issues or foreign objects that require treatment. Players describe this exploration element as tense and atmospheric, as you never know what you might encounter within the dark recesses of the colon. To treat the identified problems, you have access to various tools such as grabbers, cutters, and cauterizers. Effectively using the right tool for the job, be it removing an obstruction, cutting out a polyp, or sealing a bleed, is crucial to ensuring the patient's health. The gameplay loop of identifying an issue, selecting the appropriate tool, and then carefully carrying out the procedure creates a satisfying sense of accomplishment.
While the core gameplay is centered around the colonoscopy procedures, the game also features a story-driven narrative that unfolds over the five chapters. As the week progresses, the player-character begins to encounter increasingly disturbing and supernatural elements within their patients' colons. This narrative thread helps to elevate the gameplay, creating a greater sense of unease and investment as the player delves deeper into the horrors concealed within.
An additional layer of depth is provided by the game's multiple ending system. Players' actions and decisions throughout the colonoscopy procedures can lead to different outcomes for each patient's chapter, as well as the overall ending of the game. This encourages replayability as players strive to uncover all the possible narrative paths and conclusions.
One of the game's standout features, as noted by many players, is its embrace of a retro PlayStation 1-inspired visual style. This lo-fi, pixelated aesthetic, combined with the unsettling subject matter, helps to create a distinct atmosphere of nostalgia and unease. The retro look is well-executed and contributes to the game's overall charm and immersion.