Kamla is a first-person survival horror game set in rural India during the 1980s. You play as a spiritual practitioner known as a Tantrik, summoned to perform an exorcism on a woman named Kamla. What begins as a simple ritual quickly becomes a dangerous journey through a haunted estate, where demonic possession, family secrets, and ancient traditions collide. The gameplay combines puzzle-solving with stealth elements as players uncover the truth hidden within the mansion.
Rituals and Dangerous Encounters
As the player explores the house, they must locate specific items required to complete the exorcism. These ingredients are hidden throughout the property, often behind locked doors, environmental hazards, or complex puzzles. Some of them are clearly placed, while others require solving layered riddles or navigating cursed spaces. While searching, Kamla herself roams the estate, driven by a dark force that makes every encounter a threat.
Strategic Movement and Hidden Clues
Survival depends on observation and planning. The game rewards players who take time to examine details and remember the layout of the house. Hiding places become essential when Kamla enters her rage state. Losing collected items upon capture forces players to be cautious and think ahead. To succeed, players must avoid confrontation and manage time and resources effectively during each phase of the ritual.
Key gameplay elements in Kamla:
- Puzzle-solving tied to the exorcism process
- A free-roaming antagonist that reacts to player movement
- Hidden objects with symbolic value
- Environmental storytelling through notes and artifacts
- A final ritual requiring precision and preparation
Sound, Setting, and Suspense
The atmosphere in Kamla is grounded in its cultural context. Traditional Indian music, architecture, and spiritual practices shape the experience. The sound design plays a major role, using distant whispers, ritual chants, and silence to build tension. Lighting is minimal, and flickering lamps or the glow of the holy fire provide limited visibility. The historical backdrop adds realism while the supernatural elements turn every shadow into a potential threat.
Layers of Fear and Redemption
Kamla blends folklore with psychological horror. The story reveals itself piece by piece through journals, objects, and the behavior of Kamla herself. The more the player uncovers, the more complex the situation becomes. Rather than simply escaping, the goal is to complete the ritual and bring peace to a disturbed soul. With its slow-burning tension and cultural depth, Kamla offers a focused, story-driven horror experience that challenges the player’s focus and nerve.
