Tuscany, 1944. As conflict intensifies between German and Allied forces, the body of a woman is found drowned. Her twin sister must alone deal with the acute trauma of loss, while the truth of the brutal murder is shrouded by mysterious folklore and the extreme horror of war which draws ever closer...

Martha Is Dead is a psychological thriller, set in 1944 Italy,

Martha is Dead is a dark first-person psychological thriller, set in 1944 Italy, that blurs the lines between reality, superstition and the tragedy of war.

You play as Giulia, who discovers the body of her identical twin sister, Martha, floating in the local lake. When the girls parents arrive at the scene they believe it is Giulia that is dead and, unable to correct them, Giulia pretends to be Martha.

You can either play the game with the original Italian audio track (recommended), but if subtitles are not for you then the English dub is just as well produced, with some great voice acting.

The game is quite shocking and intense. You have the opportunity to skip the rather graphic scenes should you want to. This is a game that rewards those who like to explore every nook and cranny, as interaction with some objects open up the world a little.

The game rewards those who like to explore every nook and cranny

It's a rather unsettling game, with incredibly creepy cut sequences. It's all about the story, so at times it can feel a little like you watch a long cut sequence, before solving a short puzzle, before watching another cut sequence. If you're invested in the story, as I was, then this isn't a problem. But, if you're just wanting to get on with the interactive portions of the game then you might get a little frustrated. However, I found that the story unfolds at just the right pace to draw you in and keep you following.

Martha Is Dead is an exploration of loss, relationships and the psychological undertones of a dark period of history through the eyes of a young woman who seeks the truth, but who also has secrets of her own to hide.

Explore a detailed recreation of the Italian countryside

Freely explore the Tuscany countryside on foot, by boat, or bike. Play with numerous marionette sequences in the mechanical theatre to remember repressed memories. Unlock symbols and use tarot cards to unveil new aspects of the game and to summon the spirit of The Lady. Collect newspapers, telegrams and listen to the radio to keep updated on what is occurring in the world during the war. Take pictures for the sheer pleasure of doing so, and also to progress through the story and discover more about the game world. A simulator will guide you through 1940s photography, where you’ll be able to developer your actual photos through a fully working in game darkroom!

For those who like a good, creepy mystery, Martha is Dead could be the game you're looking for.

7

Nick Smithson