DaRmaZat When Lust from Beyond was first released four years ago, it made a strong impression with its blend of Lovecraftian horror and mature themes. At the time, it felt like a bold and immersive experience, offering something unique in the horror genre. But now, revisiting it after a few years, I have to ask—was it really as good as I remember?
Victor’s Descent into Madness
Lust from Beyond follows Victor Holloway, an antique shop owner who seems to have a normal life with his girlfriend Lily—until disturbing visions and whispers begin to plague him. In search of answers, he turns to Dr. Austerlitz, a renowned psychotherapist in the mysterious town of Bleakmoor. What begins as a journey for clarity quickly spirals into an increasingly bizarre nightmare filled with cults, forbidden rituals, and grotesque horrors beyond comprehension. Victor’s story was one of the most captivating aspects of the game at release, but does it still hold up?
The psychological horror and slow unraveling of Victor’s reality remain effective, but knowing the twists in advance takes away some of the impact. The mystery that once made every discovery thrilling now feels a little less gripping the second time around. However, for new players, this descent into madness is still an engaging and well-executed experience.
Bleakmoor’s Everlasting Dread
One of the things that initially stood out about Lust from Beyond was its atmosphere, and I’m happy to say that Bleakmoor remains as unsettling as ever. The oppressive environment, the eerie lighting, the strange inhabitants—everything still contributes to a sense of unease. The psychological horror elements hold up well, keeping that feeling of being trapped in a nightmarish world where reality is slipping away.
That said, after playing more modern horror titles, some of the environmental storytelling feels a little less refined than I remember. Certain sections that once felt immersive now come across as a bit heavy-handed. The masked figures and disturbing rituals are still effective, but they don’t have quite the same shock factor now that I already know how the story unfolds.
The Horror-Erotica Fusion
Back when Lust from Beyond launched, its mix of horror and explicit sexual themes made it stand out. It was shocking, unsettling, and unlike anything else in mainstream gaming. But looking at it now, does that aspect still hold up, or does it feel more like a gimmick?
To some extent, it still works—the sexual horror elements remain thematically appropriate within the Lovecraftian framework, reinforcing the game’s themes of obsession and forbidden knowledge. However, some of the execution feels a bit forced in retrospect. What once seemed daring now occasionally comes across as trying too hard to be provocative. The option to play a censored version is still a plus, but the novelty of the uncensored content has certainly worn off a bit.
More Than Just a Walking Simulator
One of the things I appreciated about Lust from Beyond was that it offered more than just exploration—it had puzzles, stealth, and even combat. These elements are still here, but revisiting them now, they don’t feel quite as smooth as I remember. The combat, in particular, feels a bit too clunky for modern standards, and the stealth mechanics remain functional but are far from groundbreaking.
The RPG-like progression system remains a nice touch, adding a sense of development to Victor’s abilities. However, in hindsight, the gameplay variety—while better than a pure walking simulator—feels somewhat basic. At the time, I thought it added great depth, but now, it’s clear that newer games have refined these mechanics in ways that make Lust from Beyond’s systems feel a bit dated.
A Story Worth Revisiting?
The branching narrative and multiple choices were a highlight back then, and they still add some replayability today. The characters remain engaging, and the story’s descent into madness still makes for a compelling ride. But, as always, knowing how things play out, takes away some of the excitement and immersion. The shock value of the twists and turns just doesn’t hit the same way the second time around.
That said, for first-time players, the narrative still offers a gripping experience. The world-building and character development remain strong, even if the impact is diminished on a revisit.
At launch, performance issues were a notable drawback, with long load times, stuttering, and high VRAM usage. Over time, updates improved the experience, and revisiting it now, I can say that it runs more smoothly. However, some technical quirks remain—lip-syncing is still off at times, occasional AI bugs pop up, and the game still doesn’t run great on high-end settings. While it’s more stable than it was at release, it’s not exactly flawless.
Final Thoughts
So, was Lust from Beyond as good as I remember? In some ways, yes—it still delivers an unsettling, immersive horror experience with a unique and daring premise. The atmosphere holds up, the story remains intriguing, and the game still feels like an important entry in the Lovecraftian horror genre. However, in other ways, time hasn’t been entirely kind. The gameplay mechanics feel more dated than I expected, and some of the shock value that made the game stand out initially doesn’t land as effectively on a revisit.
For those who never played it before, Lust from Beyond is still worth experiencing, especially if you’re a fan of psychological horror with a mature twist. But if, like me, you’re returning to it after a few years, you might find that it doesn’t quite live up to the memory.
Additional Information
Release Date: March 11, 2021
Played On: PC
Official Website: https://www.facebook.com/LustFromBeyond
Relevant Links:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1035120/Lust_from_Beyond
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1641890/Lust_from_Beyond_M_Edition
