Waxworks: Curse of the Ancestors

Although it is Polish, it definitely lacks polish. Or substance. Or the beautiful hand-drawn art of the Amiga original, that makes this Unity engine attempt look like a cheap fan project. I too have buyers remorse, because I hoped for a decent homage to the glory of the original Horrorsoft games. Instead, this lukewarm rehashed stew of incoherent bits and pieces resembling the original fails both to frighten and to excite. It's as boring as a business day in a small town office.

Compré el juego por nostalgia, ya que lo jugué de crio y tuve curiosidad de ver que tal sería 30 años después. Oh! sorpresa, como puede ser peor, técnicamente hablando? Esta lleno de bugs terribles, no bugs de una textura ha desaparecido... bugs de no puedes continuar la partida. En las minas tienes que hacer un filtro con un pañuelo y carbón, desaparece el carbón del inventario y sigue el pañuelo limpio. Probé de reiniciar el nivel, probé de pasármelo sin el filtro, pero hay un punto en que te exige tenerlo si o si... así que no puedo pasar de ese punto. En el mapa anterior del cementerio los bugs y como el personaje se va enganchando por todas partes es insoportable, pero aún con paciencia se puede sobrellevar. Los otros dos mapas no puedo opinar porque mi nostalgia no es tanta como para pasármelo todo por tercera vez. Un mal producto... sin gracia, sin mimo y sin posibilidad de éxito si trabajan así.

Waxworks: Curse of the Ancestors is a modern revival of a cult classic concept—an atmospheric, puzzle-driven horror adventure built around the eerie premise of walking through cursed wax exhibits that become real, deadly worlds. Developed and published by Went2Play LLC, the game frames its narrative as a generational struggle against a family curse, with the protagonist forced to confront nightmarish scenarios inspired by historical eras, folklore, and horror archetypes. Rather than relying on jump scares or constant action, it establishes tension through vulnerability, uncertainty, and the unsettling realization that every exhibit contains a carefully constructed death trap waiting to be triggered. The wax museum setting becomes both narrative hub and psychological torment, delivering a sense of shifting reality that keeps players cautious and invested. Gameplay blends first-person exploration, environmental puzzles, survival mechanics, and combat encounters that emphasize resource scarcity over brute force. Each exhibit functions as a self-contained scenario with its own tone, enemy types, hazards, and puzzle logic—Egyptian tombs, shadowed alleyways, twisted medieval crypts, and other thematic realms. These spaces are not linear corridors but labyrinthine environments designed to reward careful mapping, observation, and experimentation. Traps, locked mechanisms, secret passages, and cryptic clues force players to engage thoughtfully with their surroundings rather than sprint ahead blindly. Combat exists, but it is intentionally tense and unforgiving—more about buying time or escaping danger than dominating enemies. This design reinforces horror immersion by making every encounter feel like a meaningful threat rather than an expected gameplay beat. What makes Waxworks compelling is its commitment to puzzle variety and narrative integration. Clues discovered in one exhibit may echo or contextualize another, and the curse storyline gradually unfolds through notes, environmental storytelling, and character discoveries rather than overly direct exposition. The game embraces a tactile, logic-focused approach to puzzles—players must decode inscriptions, study environmental patterns, manipulate machinery, and observe enemy behavior rather than rely on glowing indicators or automated hints. When puzzle solutions click into place, they feel earned rather than handed to the player. This structure captures the spirit of classic PC adventure-horror while modernizing interaction flow, making the game accessible without losing complexity. Presentation reinforces tone, blending handcrafted environments, atmospheric lighting, and unsettling sound design into a cohesive horror experience. The wax museum sequences in particular showcase impressive visual storytelling—mannequins positioned like frozen tragedies, dim corridors illuminated only by flickers, and displays that feel just slightly too alive. Each exhibit features distinct environmental art direction, ensuring that transitions between realms never feel repetitive. The soundtrack supports the tension, with ambient tones, distant echoes, and restrained thematic cues rather than overly dramatic scoring. Voice work, environmental effects, and subtle audio details play a crucial role in making players feel watched, hunted, or uncertain of what lurks around the corner. Even when nothing happens, the soundscape keeps nerves active. The game does, however, inherit some structural challenges that will divide players. Its pacing leans methodical, sometimes demanding extended exploration or repeated attempts as players adjust strategy, interpret puzzle logic, or learn enemy placement. Those expecting fast-paced action-horror may find the deliberate tempo frustrating. Combat, intentionally clunky and stressful, may come across as unwieldy rather than atmospheric depending on player expectations. Some puzzles can feel opaque or require careful environmental revisiting, which may test patience for players unfamiliar with classic adventure-game conventions. Because each exhibit functions as a standalone scenario, narrative momentum occasionally feels segmented rather than continuously escalating. Despite these concerns, Waxworks: Curse of the Ancestors succeeds because it remains true to what makes horror-adventure design compelling—agency, consequence, mystery, and dread. It invites players not merely to survive, but to think, observe, and adapt. It respects curiosity and rewards persistence without resorting to cheap difficulty spikes or superficial padding. Whether approached as a tribute to old-school dungeon crawlers, a puzzle-focused horror journey, or a fresh take on an overlooked classic, it offers a distinct and memorable experience rarely found in modern horror libraries. For players who enjoy slow-burn tension, thematic variety, intricate environmental puzzles, and stories shaped by ancestral guilt and supernatural inevitability, Waxworks stands out as a thoughtful, unsettling, and deeply atmospheric adventure worth exploring—if they have the courage to enter the exhibits. Rating: 5/10

Horror/Scares: Good Story: Great Fun: Great RPG: Good Immersive: Good Graphics: Good Music/Sound: Good Execution: Good Quality: Good

Not fun to play... bug all aroung. very mad combat system , healing items dont work or bug away, pls remake

A great remake! It's awesome!

if bad hit boxes was a crime, the people who made this game would be on death row, i really gave this game a chance, but no amount of potential can make up for the absolutely terrible combat mechanics

garbage remake made as a money grab. no passion. total jank. no understanding of what made the original great. beware of this publisher and avoid this game even when on sale and anything they create in the future if they have any future at all. my guess is a fly by night game maker that will vanish into the nether after grabbing a few bucks by those of us unlucky enough to purchase this trash.