Like peanut butter and chocolate, adventure and horror make a pretty good pair. With the right set of tools, designers can make a unique and terrifying experience. Unlucky Seven is an adventure game in a modern style and classic horror theme. The story is told in chapter format with the perspective changing to a different titular character each chapter. Gameplay like most point and clicks involve simple puzzle solving. However, it has been simplified from the classic format; any item that can be used or that can be interacted with is given a marker and solutions to various challenges or puzzles are within the same room. While level design is 2-dimensional, a layer-system has been added. This system allows players to switch at set locations and creates a feeling of depth.

Unlucky Seven had the potential to be a compelling adventure game. Unfortunately technical issues and poor development keep this from being anything resembling enjoyable. While nothing is game-breaking, there are several technical issues that need to be addressed. The first and most visible problem is that despite having a simplified design that was clearly made for controllers, full controller support does not exist. While there is some functionality, you cannot move between layers with the controller. Combined with the fact that there is no mouse support means that the only way to play without issue is with the keyboard. Other technical issues included mismatched dialogue, where one character was speaking, but the font and sound being displayed were for a different character, and dialogue not advancing with the players’ actions.

Unlucky Seven is plagued by good ideas but poor execution. Story-wise, what had the makings of a gripping tale of suspense was ruined by terrible writing, poor English, and an unexplained obsession with alcohol. While they did include voice effects, and thankfully gave you the option to turn them off, the actual voice acting sounds like a joke. Sounding like a bizarre version of Simlish, it mainly consists of a highly synthesized onomatopoeia repeating indefinitely. Graphics are unfortunately more of the same. Choosing to go with a clunky polygon-based style it has neither the retro charm of older games or the sharp vividness of modern games.

While not the worst of its genre, Unlucky Seven does sit pretty low in the barrel.  Full of poor decisions and bad designs, what started with a good idea ended with a functioning mess. Despite the fact that it’s in early access, without a massive overhaul and redesign it’s honestly not worth your time.