The Complex: Expedition is a first-person horror game that places you inside an endless, maze-like environment known as The Complex. You begin as part of an expedition team sent to explore its unknown regions, but after a mission goes wrong, you are left alone with no clear path to escape. The setting draws inspiration from the “Backrooms” concept, featuring unsettling architecture, shifting layouts, and a constant sense of unease as you move through its empty halls.
Exploration And Atmosphere
The gameplay focuses on slow, deliberate movement through interconnected rooms and corridors. Each area may look similar at first, but subtle differences in layout or lighting signal changes and possible progression. The environment is designed to disorient the player, with looping paths and minimal landmarks. You carry a VHS-style camera that adds a retro visual filter, increasing immersion while making it harder to notice threats until they are close.
Gameplay Structure And Objectives
Your main goal is to survive and find a way out, but exploration often leads to encounters with strange phenomena or hostile entities. The game offers multiple endings and randomized entry points, ensuring varied playthroughs. Core gameplay elements include:
- Navigating hallways and large empty rooms to uncover clues
- Avoiding or observing unknown lifeforms without drawing attention
- Collecting environmental details to understand the layout
- Searching for pathways that may lead to escape
- Adapting to subtle changes in lighting, sound, and architecture
Narrative And Tension
The story unfolds through exploration and environmental storytelling. Audio cues, distant sounds, and sudden changes in the environment hint at the presence of something else in The Complex. This unseen threat is described as watching and adapting to your movements, creating a sense of being pursued even when nothing is visible. The further you progress, the more the environment feels alive and reactive.
Replay Value And Immersion
The Complex: Expedition encourages replayability by offering shifting layouts, different starting positions, and multiple endings. The unpredictable structure means each attempt can feel new, requiring you to adapt your navigation and observation skills. Combined with its minimalist storytelling and oppressive atmosphere, the game provides an immersive experience that rewards patience, attention to detail, and a willingness to explore the unknown.
