REVIEW : Sanity of Morris (XBOX Series X)
Now and again a narrative-focused horror game gets out that defies expectations, delivering fears, engaging mechanics, and a compelling tale. The sanity of Morris is definitely the exact contrary of that hypothetical game. From its dull devotion to the tired alien army to its slow, laughable stealth segments, the play would feel directly at home with the outlines of a guy and two androids covered at the bottom of the screen. It’s not the most dejected thing you’ll ever play, but anyone looking for scares or competency will want to take a turn onto the near exit ramp.
The titular character in Sanity of Morris is Johnathan Morris. He’s been called to the unassuming town that his father Hank tried to move himself and his mom to years before the game’s adventures. This struggle to move destroyed the family and transformed the trajectory of their lives. The play doesn’t remotely strive to make a compelling case as to why Johnathan would drop what he’s doing and go see Hank just because he was requested. But there wouldn’t be a tale otherwise, so that’s what he does. Upon visiting his father’s home, he finds that the place is creeping with soldiers. Something has gone awry.
Johnathan searches Hank’s home to find a random code that allows him access to the attic. Abruptly, he finds himself dragged into an absurd conspiracy including the government, an alien spaceship, and your dwindling tolerance. The story in Sanity of Morris is achingly generic, while the play is visually dull and lifeless.
To be fair, the game is entertaining, just never deliberately. Johnathan will often find voice tapes where Hank leaves him breadcrumbs. However, Hank’s voice actor appears like he’s in a distinctive game. He comes across like a comic character, and the dialogue and writing in the multiple documents spread around only make things worse.
The sanity of Morris bills itself as a horror game, but it’s not scary. It’s never even creepy or tense. I’m not sure why “sanity” is in the title, as there isn’t much of a focus on Johnathan’s mental state. This is an adventure game with stealth sequences. There are three levels where you lead Johnathan through linear areas to make it to the next. Sometimes there are hilariously terrible quick-time events, where you’re commanded to mash the “W” key. Oddly, there was never much incentive for these to be in the game at all. They could have simply been achieved with standard movement.
Talking of which, Johnathan can walk, run, crouch, and use his torch. The sanity of Morris is in the first person, and it’s one of those plays where it’s hard to tell if you’re running or not. The flashlight is the most significant thing here, as Johnathan’s entire vision gets clouded in darkness bit by bit if you leave it off too long. There’s never any reason given for this. Additionally, objects and items can be gathered or communicated with glow red, but only when the torch is shined on them. This is usually the case even when the area is lit. The flashlight’s beam can also be focused, which is essential for activating certain alien machines.
Making your way through the levels in Sanity of Morris is comparable to every other game such as this. You explore the environment for ways to move forward, whether it be shining your spotlight on a spot to build a plant tendril that can be walked on or a keycard for unlocking a door. It’s typically not hard to figure out how to progress, although I did get stuck several times. The game is standard in terms of mechanics and progression and, hey, it’s all beneficial.
But there’s a wall there!
Johnathan can die. He is extremely delicate and will bite the big one in a single hit with frightening frequency. Johnathan can fall normal distances that people could easily survive and then die instantly. He also likes to die in mid-fall. I guess he’s dying from shock? The real problem in Sanity of Morris is, naturally, the enemies consisting of useless soldiers and aliens. Stealth rules are at play here, and they have clear cones of vision. It’s blue if everything’s normal, yellow if they’re suspicious, and red if you’re about to get your shit ruined. If they see Johnathan, he will almost surely die.
Enemy animations are horrid. The humans move oddly and they all carry batons that will incapacitate Johnathan on contact. Aliens, however, most don’t have attack animations. Johnathan will simply die after they approach him. Humorously, he can hardly touch either of them and then drop dead. The rules for what constitutes a fatal touch are up in the air, as I’ve been hit by an opponent multiple feet away. Other times, I got spotted through walls or died from having an opponent that wasn’t aware of my presence clip through a wall to reach me. Good grief. The sanity of Morris loves to task you with research, only to have rivals hang around. And they love to hang around. I spent a lot of time waiting for them to leave an area, as they linger for inordinate amounts of time.
