When you start out the game you have a choice to play through Chapters 1, 2, or 3. I highly suggest playing the chapters in the correct order so you can get a better grasp of the story. You play as a lone priest who wanderers around finishing up exorcisms of the possessed. Those that killed off other priests who failed to exorcise those demonic entities. The gameplay is very basic. You walk around waving your cross at demons to scare them off. You also use your cross to highlight random objects which reveal notes. Those notes display more of the storyline along with clues to solving various puzzles or locations of important items. At the end of each chapter you face the main antagonist of the story in the form of boss battles where you constantly wave around your cross. There are plenty of jump scare moments and lots of instant deaths. Thankfully you have an unlimited amount of lives and the game auto saves once you finish each scene.
The graphics are very reminiscent to the 8-bit computer games from the early to mid 80s with the barren black backgrounds and the blocky one color sprites. Even thought the art direction is super primitive looking it still manages to give off a very spooky vibe. There are tons of occult imagery during the game and even some scenes of gore. There are even cutscenes that are actually well animated. The sound direction I think is pretty awesome. Very minimalistic yet it gives off a very unsettling atmosphere. Especially during scenes of major suspense. Specifically the scenes where demons are nearby. The speech during the game is completely synthesized. Another thing that totally adds to the game’s chill factor. All these are recipes for a surprisingly atmospheric game.
When I first tried this game out I wasn’t entirely sure what I was expecting. I definitely wasn’t expecting an 8 bit computer style survival horror game with a priest throwing crosses at demons. I started chapter 1 and I was wandering aimlessly in that forest looking for clues. Then came across deer running away from me. I spotted some four legged freaks making weird growling noises and then I scared them off with my cross. I find an abandoned shed. Grabbed a key. Then I found a abandoned house. I used that key to unlock that door and then went inside and searched for more clues. Then I walked into some Satanic ritual circle and I summoned a possessed little girl. She pops out of nowhere in each room I go. I kept dying. I discovered the cross I have scares that girl off. She then out of nowhere unlocks the stairs to the attic. I walk up the flight of stairs. I see the child just standing in the middle of the room. I began to wave the cross around and the child’s face began rip apart with a extra arm flailing around. This is some grotesque stuff folks!
Faith – The Unholy Trinity oozes with replay value and extra content to unlock. No DLC here! You unlock new wallpaper, extra game modes, an extra chapter all by finding all of the notes and multiple endings in each of the 3 chapters. Even though each of the chapters are pretty short you’ll still find more ways to complete them each time you play.
So do I recommend Faith – The Unholy Trinity? If you love survival horror and all sorts of scary games as well having a soft spot for the 8-bit computer games of the 80s then this one is definitely a no brainer purchase. I will be honest. I haven’t played many horror games outside of mainstream stuff like the Resident Evil series and I still enjoyed the living heck out of Faith. It is very easy to get into. Gameplay is not complex at all thanks to its one button control scheme. Despite the primitive looking graphics and sound it still gives of a very frightening atmosphere. I’d say definitely give Faith – The Unholy Trinity a shot whenever you can. It would not be an act of blasphemy at all.
Faith – The Unholy Trinity is now available on both Steam and Nintendo Switch digitally from New Blood Interactive and Airdorf Games. A physical release is out on Nintendo Switch as of this article.
*A review code was given for the purpose of this review
Here is the trailer for Faith – The Unholy Trinity
David Medina is a hardcore gamer and Japanese import collector owning dozens of systems and games from Famicom to Nintendo Switch. He has an active YouTube channel called "The Karnov Jr Show" and posts retro gaming content there weekly showing off collections, random store tours, and gameplay clips.