Silly Polly Beast Review

A close friend of mine recommended Silly Polly Beast to me, and after checking out a few videos, I just had to pick it up for review. Developed by solo developer Andrei Chernyshov and published by Top Hat Studios Inc., the game is available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Playstation 4|5 and PC. With a beautiful art style that just looks sublime on the big screen, this is an indie adventure you won’t want to miss.

Multiple Endings Encourage Replayability

Whilst I only played through the game one time, the overall experience has been said to feature four alternative endings. This is a great feature for those who enjoy the adventure and want to seek out all the game’s achievements. After a little research, it seems that some endings require specific inventory choices. So I would urge completionists to double-check. Some endings also require you to engage with hidden interactions and track back to earlier moments of the game.

Gameplay

If you love titles with a dark, gritty horror atmosphere, then Silly Polly Beast will tick many boxes for you. You begin your adventure as Polly, a girl bound by a pact who must confront a monstrous force in a fog-ridden setting. As you progress through the game, it is mainly narrative-led with an emphasis on gunfights with enemies and bosses.

There is a bit of a Resident Evil/Silent Hill feel to how the game plays out, with surreal moments throughout. Combat is aggressive yet tactical, as you sometimes fight through waves and, in the next breath, encounter a boss. Boss fights can be a challenge, but learning the pattern of their attacks and using the environments to defend yourself will get the job done. Progression is story-driven, and there are upgrades and different weaponry you can play around with throughout.

Visuals & Audio

Silly Polly Beast is visually stunning, with beautifully designed, handcrafted environments with excellent lighting effects. Whilst areas feel compact, they are often packed with detail and polish. There were times when I just stopped playing for a moment to admire the surroundings in certain portions of the game. All the while still in disbelief that one chap created everything I was experiencing. Enemies are unsettling and grotesque in design, often in areas with muddy, dark and gritty colours awash with neon highlights throughout.

Audio is just as great as the rest of the presentation, with the soundtrack and sound effects bringing the intensity. Ambient noise such as creaks, distant bumps and unsettling thumps brings tension to the experience. Weapon sounds are punchy, with hits feeling impactful. Andrei should be proud of not only nailing the gameplay but also the overall showcase and performance of the game.

Final Thoughts

I was staggered when I learnt that Silly Polly Beast is the work of a solo developer. There are several success stories of indie titles coming from the work of one individual, and this is absolutely one of them. You’d genuinely think that this was the work of a small indie team of developers because it’s super polished and mechanically sound in every area of the game. Combat is satisfying, the art style is fantastic, and the gameplay loop kept me engaged throughout the entire experience. If you’re after a memorable 10 or so-hour experience with a surreal, strange survival horror that is a delight to play, then give this your time. You can purchase the game for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S HERE for the worthy cost of £16.74.