Cursed Mountain

Official Nintendo Magazine (82 out of 100) (82%)

Still, you can forgive the game these flaws because they're never enough to take you out of its chilling atmosphere. If you want a survival horror game that's a little bit different, Cursed Mountain delivers scares and surprises in spades.

3D Juegos (8.1 out of 10) (81%)

Cursed Mountain es un innovador survival horror psicológico que otorga una gran importancia a su historia, elemento indispensable debido a la temática religiosa y mística del título. Su apartado técnico saca lo mejor de Wii, tanto en su aspecto gráfico como en la forma jugable. La ambientación lograda sólo es posible gracias al excelente apartado sonoro, al sorprendente hilo narrativo y a una excelente labor de documentación que, en conjunto, ofrece una experiencia llena de misterios. Un juego diferente repleto de buenos detalles y grandes intenciones que se aleja de los principios actuales para labrarse un camino propio. Un título a tener muy en cuenta en el catálogo de la consola.

PAL Gaming Network (PALGN) (8 out of 10) (80%)

While Cursed Mountain doesn’t not excel in providing innovative gameplay, mind-boggling puzzles or even a truly terrifying experience, the relatively unknown development team at Spriong ought to be applauded for what they’ve done well. Very few games have created a deeply mysterious but unpretentious story, a tense atmosphere of isolation and created a real connection with religious practice. It’s rare that a game comes along and makes you feel 'something' once you’ve put down the controller and walked away. Sure, the controls and pacing are sluggish, and the game is not all that scary, but we’ll be damned if this is not amongst the most unique gaming experiences you’ll ever have. Period. And for the right reasons. Regardless of how the game does, it's these kind of gaming and developers experiences that should be seen more on the Wii.

NintendoWorldReport (8 out of 10) (80%)

Overall, Cursed Mountain succeeds in providing a genuine mature experience on Wii. With the great use of Buddhist themes, Cursed Mountain stands out from all the other survival horror titles on the platform and is very original. Even if the game is marred by a couple of flaws, Cured Mountain is one of the better survival horror games that is available on Wii.

GameCritics.com (8 out of 10) (80%)

Despite those issues, there is no question that Cursed Mountain is not only one of the finest titles currently available for the Wii, it's a welcome detour from the well-worn survival horror path that so many developers seem only too happy to tread. In my opinion, the pursuit of its unorthodox approach and its character's tenuous lucidity has paid off in spades to create a gripping, frequently brilliant title that is in no danger whatsoever of being mistaken for anything else. In today's too-safe, too-similar development environment, something that manages to be unique as well as successful should be recognized.

Nintendo Life ( ) (80%)

Cursed Mountain is a game of considerable quality, with no shortage of commendable assets - an intelligent story, well-crafted immersion into a foreign world and a high standard of audio and visual presentation mark it out as a game well worth a buy. It's let down by some occasionally poor controls, and once you've made it to the end you're unlikely to want to play it over again, but otherwise it's refreshingly low on faults. Cursed Mountain is a highly worthwhile journey that Deep Silver and Koch Media deserve high praise for bringing to Wii owners seeking a more substantial scary experience.

AceGamez (8 out of 10) (80%)

Cursed Mountain is a remarkable horror game - for pure unrelenting terror it is way above the recent high-tech offerings of Resident Evil 5 or Dead Space. The clever use of uncertainty in the story, the impeccable sound and the immersive gameplay ensure horror fans are in for a real treat. However, I don't think it's going to convert anyone to the horror gaming genre. The general slow-pace and restrictive movement speed will undoubtedly start to annoy more action-oriented gamers. The replayability is minimal and the graphics certainly won't win any prizes. My advice is that if you love horror games, buy this game as soon as possible. If you really can't stand being scared, steer well clear as scares are guaranteed.

Play.tm (80 out of 100) (80%)

Cursed Mountain deserves praise for existing at all, a Wii exclusive, deliberately mature, survival horror with neither Mii nor Mario in sight. The fact that it turns out to be both interesting and enjoyable as well makes it even more impressive. It's by no means perfect, the motion controlled combat can be a tad flaky and its pacing may be too languid for some, but those Wii owners looking for something a little more grown up would be well advised to put on their climbing boots give this a try.

N-Europe (8 out of 10) (80%)

Cursed Mountain might not be filled with action so if that’s what you’re looking for this is not the game for you. If however you enjoy a nice slow paced horror title with plenty of tension and a good story you would do well to pick this one up. It does have a few “jump” moments at the beginning but there’s not a lot of good scare moments towards the end. It does however still maintain its unnerving tension which will keep you guessing and uneasy throughout. There is unfortunately nothing to unlock by completing the game and the only real incentive for a second playthrough being if you had not found all the dairy notes and are one of those gamers who like to find everything there is to find. However it is still a good and enjoyable game while it lasts as you push forward to summit Chomolonzo and find your brother.

Sci-Fi Online (8 out of 10) (80%)

If I had any complaints, it was probably that there is not too much opportunity to roam your environment freely. You can generally only follow one path, with all other routes being blocked. There are also a few too many "look" sections (where an icon appears on your screen asking you to press the "A" button so that you can examine something) that are pointless and lead nowhere - all they seem to do is waste your time. Ignoring that slight moan, this is a fun game that will keep you engrossed for hours - just don't forget to have a spare pair of underpants on standby.

GamingXP (78 out of 100) (78%)

Eines steht fest: Die Wii braucht mehr erwachsene Spiele – und insofern ist “Cursed Mountain” der Wiener Entwickler Sproing und RABCAT (in Koordination durch Deep Silver Vienna) ein weiterer Vorreiter in diesem Genre. Leider erscheint der Titel etwas zu linear und hat technische Schwächen (auch dank der Wii), kann sich aber aufgrund des interessanten Settings aus dem “Alone in the Dark”-Schatten lösen und durchaus für gute Gänsehaut sorgen. Der erste reine Wii-Survival-Horror-Schocker: Für Fans auf jeden Fall empfehlenswert – viele neue Käufer wird die Wii durch den Titel aber leider nicht bekommen ...

Cheat Code Central (3.9 out of 5) (78%)

As far as survival-horror games go, Cursed Mountain gets a lot of things right and manages to stay afloat through its unconventional setting, intriguing story, and well-designed atmosphere. The harsh environment and the desolate landscape evoke feelings of isolation and till the soil for some solid thrills and chills to grow. Minor control issues and occasional sluggishness in the game's momentum crop up but don't damper the overall spirit. This ghost story is worth paying some attention to.

Impulse Gamer (7.7 out of 10) (77%)

At it's heart, the game in essence is an adventure game that meets the survival horror genre which comes across loud and clear unlike previous games in the past. The game does require some thinking on behalf of the gamer which is not a bad thing and the action at times is rather fun and interesting. So get your winter clothes, rug up and sit back and enjoy this well written tale of a man searching for his lost brother and gets caught up in something more than he expected!

Meristation (7.5 out of 10) (75%)

Sus valores narrativos, el esfuerzo por realizar viñetas que expliquen la personalidad del protagonista, el hecho de poder encontrar un centenar de archivos con los que profundizar en la historia de Chomolonzo, Frank, Edward y los aldeanos, son sólo parte de los motivos que nos empujan a recomendar esta aventura a todo aquel que se declare aficionado de las aventuras en general, como también de los que apuestan por la especificidad del terror. Además siempre hay que aplaudir el poder recibir un título original que no ha pasado por el túrmix del hype sin perder todo el sentido que guardaba cuando se comenzó a producir. Todo en castellano: es un regalo perfecto para terminar de gastar los cartuchos que quedan de un verano que termina, quién lo diría, con el helado hálito de un montañero en las cumbres del Himalaya.

Spazio Games (7.5 out of 10) (75%)

Cursed Mountain è un vero e proprio omaggio al genere dei survival horror. Pur non facendo realmente paura, il titolo di Deep Silver riesce nell’impresa di ricreare un’ambientazione piuttosto originale per un videogame. Il ritmo compassato ci coinvolge poco per volta nella scalata del protagonista. La cura dei dettagli e l’ottimo impianto narrativo si scontrano però con un comparto grafico altalenante, per quanto ispirato, e specialmente con un sistema di controllo non sempre all’altezza che ci costringerà a ripetere qualche passaggio di troppo. In definitiva il gioco è valido, poco rigiocabile, caratterizzato da alti e bassi e sicuramente verrà apprezzato da chi ama lo stile di Silent Hill. Chi invece tende a spazientirsi alla prima difficoltà o è alla ricerca di un comparto tecnico superiore alla media farebbe meglio a cercare altrove.

Vandal Online (7.5 out of 10) (75%)

Cursed Mountain constituye una buena alternativa a las grandes series de survival horror que puedes encontrar en las estanterías, con su ritmo particular y su original ambientación. Destaca el uso que hace del mando de Wii, aunque quizás llega unos meses tarde como para tener la relevancia que merece en el catálogo de la consola. Parte de unas ideas muy buenas, pero no supone una innovación considerable; reconocerás en sus frames muchas de las ideas vistas ya una y otra vez en el género.

GameSpot (7.5 out of 10) (75%)

There are moments when predictability seeps into Cursed Mountain. Some of your ethereal enemies mix up attacks on you, but defeating them involves the same tactics time and time again (with the exception of a few sinister boss fights). And yet there's something special about Cursed Mountain always lingering under its surface. Its attention to cultural detail is extraordinary, and as you approach your final destination, the anxious chill spreads further through you. It's a shame that control issues so frequently tarnish the trek. But Cursed Mountain mostly transcends its problems, thanks to a great premise and thoughtful storytelling that will clutch you in its frosty embrace.

XGN (7.5 out of 10) (75%)

Cursed Mountain heet deze horrorgame. Maar vervloeken we de game zelf ook of dat niet? Als je niet let op matige graphics en de slome voortang kun jij heel wat plezier beleven aan deze game met eigen sfeer.

IGN (7.5 out of 10) (75%)

Despite the occasional issue, Cursed Mountain is a fun and sometimes frightening title -- I actually jumped once or twice as I played. The adventure's spooky atmosphere is something I haven't seen before, which is refreshing amidst a genre clogged with games all sporting the same themes. It's a smart tale. I felt compelled to discover what happened to Simmons' lost brother, and the make-up of the world, all logically sewn together, drew me in. But the dated controls and level designs, frequently filled with hidden keys leading to locked doors, are just a little too familiar, if not altogether archaic. For these reasons, the game is sure to appeal to survival horror fans who've never had issues with those aforementioned control or design shortcomings. If you fall into that category, grab your gear and hit the mountain. And if not, you might want to stay indoors this time around.

Everyeye.it (7.5 out of 10) (75%)

Cursed Mountain è un titolo che ci sentiamo davvero di consigliare a chi abbia voglia di provare qualcosa di diverso nell’affollato panorama dei survival horror. Horror però è una definizione che non appartiene totalmente al titolo, che a tratti pare più un viaggio tra le montagne dell’Himalaya, nel quale fantasmi e soprannaturale sono solo alcuni degli elementi di un tutto assai più grande: la millenaria cultura tibetana. La componente ludica in alcune fasi sembra in secondo piano, ma ciò non implica che non sia di qualità, dato il buon sistema di combattimento e le fasi in cui ci s’affida ai sensori di movimento del controller per variare l’esperienza di gioco. Un comparto tecnico curato contribuisce ad innalzare la qualità della produzione Deep Silver, che ha in un sistema di controllo non del tutto immediato ed in alcuni punti della trama non chiarissimi gli unici punti deboli.

9lives (74 out of 100) (74%)

Cursed Mountain is een degelijke action/adventure met meer dan voldoende horrorelementen in huis om je slapeloze nachten te bezorgen. Het speeltempo had misschien toch net iets hoger gemogen, maar de sfeer en uitstraling van het spel maakt die fout ruimschoots goed. Daarbij komt dat Deep Silver met goede voice-overs gewerkt heeft en dat het verhaal je tracht mee te slepen als een spannend boek.

GamingTrend (74 out of 100) (74%)

I can see fans of the Silent Hill series really enjoying this game. It has a slow deliberate pace, the setting is very creepy, and there are some genuine scares in this survival horror mystery. But everything is not perfect. The game is very monotonous after the first couple of levels, the graphics are inconsistent and the motion controls don’t always work. So if you’re a Wii owner and a fan of slower paced survival horror games then give Cursed Mountain a shot. Everyone else should probably rent it before they buy it.

That Gaming Site (7.2 out of 10) (72%)

Cursed Mountain doesn't blow the survival horror genre out of the darkness but it is a unique title that finally brings some frights onto the Wii. If you enjoy a good scare, turn down the lights, turn up the volume and get absorbed in Cursed Mountain.

Gamers' Temple, The (70 out of 100) (70%)

Survival horror fans should definitely give Cursed Mountain a try for its overall story for sure. The game takes about 8 - 10 hours to complete. The gameplay can get frustrating at times because of multiple ghosts combat, but it's still a very good survival horror with great sound design and cutscene presentation. There is really no reason to play through the game after completion, so it's more of a rental than a buy unless you're a collector or horror games but it's definitely worth a try.

Nintendo-Online.de (7 out of 10) (70%)

Seit „Resident Evil 4“ vergingen mittlerweile einige Wochen und sogar Jahre, doch einen wirklichen Kontrahenten sah man in Deutschland nicht. Das liegt zum einen daran, dass Spielen in dieser Richtung gerne die Veröffentlichung untersagt wird oder sie gänzlich von der Welt außerhalb Japans ferngehalten werden. „Cursed Mountain“ setzt der Spieledürre im Sommer nun endlich ein Ende und beweist, dass gute Spiele nicht immer nur aus dem englischsprachigen Ausland kommen müssen. Es erfindet das Rad sicherlich nicht neu und bedient sich sowohl bei der Optik als auch beim Gameplay fleißig bei Spielen wie „Resident Evil“ und „Silent Hill“. Nichtsdestotrotz hatten wir in den etwa zehn Spielstunden unseren Spaß, auch wenn es sich sicherlich nicht um einen Blockbuster handelt.

Eurogamer.de (7 out of 10) (70%)

Cursed Mountain schafft das Unmögliche und bringt trotz seines ziemlich überholten Designs und langsamen Ablaufs frischen Wind in das Genre. Die Atmosphäre, die der intelligente und ungewöhnliche Plot mit einbringt, die Liebe zum Detail, mit der die stimmungsvolle und unheimliche tibetanische Bergwelt eingefangen wurde, reicht allein schon aus, um den Aufstieg auf den heiligen Berg zu einem besonderen Erlebnis werden zu lassen. Ein wenig mehr Detailfreude im optischen Design, ein klein wenig mehr Abwechslung im Kampf, minimal mehr Tempo und vielleicht noch Motion Plus, dann hätte man es hier mit einem echten Ausnahmespiel zu tun. So reicht es aber immer noch, um es allen ans Herz zu legen, die nicht den blutigen Schocker-Horror suchen, sondern eine spannende, außergewöhnliche Reise bestehen wollen.

Multiplayer.it (7 out of 10) (70%)

Un survival horror nuovo, dall'ambientazione inedita, con una trama appassionante, in esclusiva per Wii: con questi presupposti, Cursed Mountain poteva davvero far breccia nel cuore degli appassionati. Purtroppo ci sono diversi elementi che lasciano l'amaro in bocca nella produzione Deep Silver, che evidentemente paga dazio per la scarsa esperienza con questo particolare filone: la fase iniziale è troppo lenta e potrebbe scoraggiare i più, il livello di difficoltà rimane basso fino alle battute finali, gli enigmi sono pochi e troppo semplici, l'esplorazione è limitata e lineare, gli scenari lasciano a desiderare e la durata totale dell'avventura è ben al di sotto della media. Cursed Mountain si presenta insomma come un'esperienza interessante ma viziata da diverse mancanze. Da provare, sì, ma tenendone ben presenti i limiti.

Digital Chumps (7 out of 10) (70%)

Cursed Mountain is a successful survival horror game featuring strong production values and solid gameplay. The story is unique but a little slow for a major portion of the game. And, though the game does last for around 20 hours, there is nothing more than the main game to keep you playing. Nonetheless, Cursed Mountain wins the ultimate battle of survival horror titles by setting one killer atmosphere. Pick up the game if you're a fan of the genre.

Eurogamer.es (7 out of 10) (70%)

Con Cursed Mountain estamos ante una aventura con un planteamiento original y que nos sitúa en un escenario pocas veces explorado por los videojuegos. Destaca sobre todo por esos pequeños detalles que construyen su atmósfera y que son capaces de sumergir al jugador. Como juego de terror quizás no logre su objetivo de dar miedo, pero como aventura con tintes oscuros es una de las grandes apuestas para Wii. Eso sí, es importante que el jugador ponga bastante de su parte durante el arranque del juego para que poco después se vea a sí mismo enganchado a una historia que consigue atrapar como pocas pasado el ecuador del juego.

Cubed3 (7 out of 10) (70%)

Cursed Mountain smacks of unfulfilled potential; if the problems could have been solved, it could quite possibly have been one of the best games on the system. As it stands it's a flawed but fun title, and if you want something a bit different in the third person adventure mould then it's a decent choice. Here's hoping that Deep Silver Vienna can hit the peaks initially promised by Cursed Mountain for their next title.

Video Game Critic, The (B-) (67%)

Cursed Mountain on the Wii provides a different kind of horror experience, and I was pleasantly surprised.

Mygamer.com (6.6 out of 10) (66%)

All in all, the game will probably take around 12-15 hours to complete. With no multiplayer to any significant bonus features, replay value is quite low. Although not for everybody, any Wii owner looking for something a little different on their “kiddie/minigame” system might want to give this game a shot, especially fans of original survival horror games.

GameTrailers (6.5 out of 10) (65%)

Cursed Mountain is an earnest attempt at staking its own niche in the survival horror space, but uninspired gameplay and clumsy controls keep it from reaching its own summit. It doesn't go far beyond an interesting concept, and unless you're willing to pay the price for a few fleeting hours into the maw of Chomolonzo, this one is better left on ice.

Destructoid (6.5 out of 10) (65%)

They've got their heads in the right place, and the start of something that could be really good, but they've still got a long way to go in the ways of storytelling, pacing and visuals before this gets up into the pantheon of must-play horror games.

Teletext (6 out of 10) (60%)

The game is finally undone by its crushingly slow pace, in terms of both progression and actual movement. The attempts to give every familiar survival horror trope a new Buddhist explanation can seem a touch clumsy at times, but nevertheless the game's unusual setting and backstory are by far its most successful achievement. It's just a shame it has to be cursed with unnecessary motion controls.

Gamervision (6 out of 10) (60%)

The graphics really can't be held under too much scrutiny, since Wii owners sort of know what they're getting into. The problems that can't really be forgiven, however, come from the slow pacing. True, slow pacing on its own doesn't necessarily mean bad pacing, but Cursed Mountain's molasses speed doesn't work in the game's favor. In the end, it's worth checking out the game at some point, just not when so many other games are right around the corner. Anyone who owns multiple systems will likely be busy with games far better than Cursed Mountain very soon, enjoying the holiday season's releases. As for those who prefer the Wii exclusively, however, there isn't much like it on the system. There are those who will enjoy Cursed Mountain. The slow, monotonous gameplay might be a turn-on for gamers tired of the run-and-gun shooters that seem to own the year 2009. As for the masses, however, it's best to avoid this curse altogether.

4Players.de (59 out of 100) (59%)

Im Buddhismus geht es ja um die Überwindung des elenden Daseins. Dieser Höhentrip sorgt eher für eine Verlängerung, denn hier werden bestimmte Grundsätze guten Spieldesigns und vor allem jene des Spannungsaufbaus ignoriert. Der mysteriöse Reiz des Himalaya, den die Entwickler grafisch und akustisch durchaus einfangen, ist spätestens dann verflogen, wenn man sich zum x-ten Mal durch Geister ballert, während einem unsichtbare Wände den Weg versperren. Warum hat man aus diesem interessanten Szenario ein Call of Tibet gemacht? Wer echten Survival-Horror auf Wii erleben will, sollte auf Silent Hill: Shattered Memories warten.

A.V. Club, The (C+) (58%)

Unfortunately, that’s about all the ice pick is good for. You’ll spend most of your time trudging through abandoned villages, hunting down keys for locked doors or smashing clay pots for the items they contain, rather than venturing further up the mountains. And you’ll take it slow, too: The game warns you early on to “be careful not to jog to alert nearby ghosts.” Surely someone searching for a lost brother would pick up the pace a little: Simmons arthritically plods through the snow even when there’s no one around. Presumably this is to enhance the fright factor of a game meant to spook, but it doesn’t work nearly as well as the picture randomly draining to black and white, and the camera going unnervingly askew. Sometimes, the little touches make a big difference (when’s the last time you saw a Buddhist chant on a game-over screen?), but even those aren’t enough to save Cursed Mountain when it leans too heavily on its genre’s cursed monotony.

Gaming Age (C+) (58%)

Still, as a fan of the genre, I think players should check this one out, at least as a rental. I'm not convinced that it's worth that $50 price tag, but at the same time I think it's an interesting entry, and it does manage to get some things very right. So give this one a go yourself, but if you're dead set on buying it, I would suggest waiting a bit for a price drop or two before taking the final plunge.

DarkZero (5 out of 10) (50%)

Of course, you might argue that your average Wii owner won’t necessarily have played many survival horror titles, in which case Cursed Mountain might not seem so terrible. But then, if you’re one of those average Wii owners, you can get the mighty Wii edition of Resident Evil 4 for less money instead, and have a lot more fun. Meanwhile, everyone who’s already played Resi 4 can see that Cursed Mountain is, without a shadow of a doubt, a bit pants.

videogamer.com (5 out of 10) (50%)

Cursed Mountain has some good ideas and at times manages to put together some decent art design to create glimpses of a good game. For the most part, though, you're having to contend with an awkward control scheme and drab presentation. With Resident Evil 4 already on the Wii (along with the remake of the original) showing what can be done with the survival horror genre on the console, there's really no excuse for games like Cursed Mountain to get so much wrong.

Gamer.nl (5 out of 10) (50%)

Cursed Mountain is helaas geen vermakelijke game. Door de slechte en logge besturing wekt de game teveel frustratie op. Daarnaast is de game totaal niet eng, een doodsdoener voor een survival-horror game. Alleen de sfeer van het Himalayagebergte en de Tibetaanse folklore weten te vermaken, maar genoeg om echt warm te worden van Cursed Mountain is dit niet.

Games TM (5 out of 10) (50%)

Cursed Mountain admirably recreates the tension of the established survival-horror template, but too infrequently for it to sit alongside the genre greats. Survival-horror may have found a new home on Wii, but Cursed Mountain is far from the perfect housewarming gift.

Eurogamer.net (UK) (5 out of 10) (50%)

It's clear from the thoughtful setting and the commitment to Buddhist myth and ritual underpinning the plot that genuine effort has gone into the game, but that doesn't show in the final product. Perhaps fittingly for a game based around scaling a peak, playing Cursed Mountain is more a matter of endurance than anything, despite its worthy intentions.

Gamekult (4 out of 10) (40%)

Bref, malgré un certain potentiel et quelques bonnes idées pas très bien exploitées, Cursed Mountain semble avoir pas mal raté le coche. Il lui en fallait bien plus pour atteindre les sommets.

Gameblog.fr (2 out of 10) (20%)

En fait, la plus grande difficulté rencontrée dans Cursed Mountain, c'est qu'il faut malheureusement y jouer. Son pitch de départ attirant et son look alléchant sont bien vite oubliés. Son infâme jouabilité, mélange détonnant entre la raideur des survival horror d'antan et les fausses bonnes idées soufflées par la Wiimote, le rend proprement insupportable. Sans parler des explorations de monts enneigés promises par une communication un poil trop enthousiaste, alors que les trois quarts du jeu se déroulent dans des espaces civilisés et fermés. Dommage.