Softstar Entertainment and PQUBE have teamed up again to deliver “The Bridge Curse 2: The Extrication,” an intense first-person horror game now available for PlayStation 5. Fans of the original will find their fears rekindled as they dive into our comprehensive review of this eerie sequel.
“Welcome to Wen Hua University – or should we say, the haunted hallways of horror? This sequel continues the story I first encountered in ‘The Bridge Curse: Road to Salvation’ on the PS5 in 2023. When the university’s film club initiates the Carnival of Horror event, things go awry, and soon enough, the sinister divide between film and reality starts to dissolve.
In this chilling sequel, players will navigate through the perspectives of four distinct characters: Sue Lian, the once-leading news anchor turned reporter; Richie Chen, a junior finance student at Wen Han University; A-Hai, a sophomore on the same path; and Wu-Zi Nan, a freshman exploring veterinary medicine. As the curse unleashes its wrath, these individuals find their fates inextricably linked amidst a backdrop of malevolent spirits.
Yet again, the game utilizes a first-person perspective, ensuring you’re right in the thick of things. Navigate using the left analog stick while using the right to scan your creepy surroundings. And remember, danger lurks at every turn. To outpace your spectral adversaries, you can make a hasty U-turn with the R2 button or sprint by pressing in on the left stick. Want to keep a low profile or squeeze through narrow spaces? Click the right stick to crouch and minimize your noisiness, a handy tactic to dodge detection.
But watch out – every sound you make, whether accidental or not, could alert nearby enemies. Interact using the X button, check your inventory with Triangle, grab your cellphone via Square, and navigate its tabs using L1 and R1. The DualSense Touchpad reveals the map, a crucial tool for plotting your escape routes and objectives.
Armed with the Anima lantern, you’ll shine a light on hidden clues and repel evil energy. Activate with R1 to bathe your surroundings in protective energy, highlighting the next step in your journey. If a ghost catches a glimpse of you while exorcising energy, don’t worry. You can pause and resume once things settle. Additionally, the lantern’s protective spells can shield you from one deadly attack, recharging slowly for repeated uses.
Achievers will be delighted with the full trophy lineup, culminating in a coveted Platinum trophy. The Cross-Buy nature of the game also means one purchase unlocks both PS4 and PS5 versions, each with separate trophy lists to conquer. Expect to collect 12 Bronze, 5 Silver, and 8 Gold trophies, ranging from chapter completions to more unique challenges. Ready to track down every collectible, or perhaps you’re brave enough to explore every possible demise? If needed, trophy guides are at your fingertips for extra help.
“The Bridge Curse 2: The Extrication” beckons players to Wen Hua University again, a place heavy with tales of curses and specters. With an engaging setup involving a film club’s daring event gone catastrophically wrong, it engages players by thrusting them into the lifelike nightmare playing out through various character profiles. Launched as a Cross-Buy game, it’s priced at an accessible $24.99, granting access to both PS4 and PS5 editions. Brace yourselves for an adventure where horror and intrigue meet.
A special thanks go out to PQube for providing a PlayStation 5 review copy, allowing us to experience and share insights on this haunting addition to the “The Bridge Curse” series.
