[PS5] Review: The Bridge Curse 2: The Extrication

Softstar Entertainment and PQUBE have teamed up to deliver a chilling new horror title: The Bridge Curse 2: The Extrication, now available on PS5. Having reviewed The Bridge Curse: Road to Salvation back in 2023, I was eager to dive into this sequel to see how it builds upon its predecessor’s features on the PlayStation platform. This time around, players will wander through the haunted corridors of Wen Hua University, a locale steeped in eerie legends and ghostly phenomena. Acts of horror escalate when the university’s film club’s quest to recruit new members through the Carnival of Horror takes a sinister turn, blurring the edges between fiction and reality.

In this installment, you assume the roles of four distinct characters: Sue Lian, Richie Chen, A-Hai, and Wu-Zi Nan. Sue Lian, a once-prominent face as United News’ lead anchor, now pursues investigative journalism. Richie Chan and A-Hai are both finance students, albeit at different levels, at Wen Han University. In contrast, Wu-Zi Nan is just starting his academic journey, focusing on veterinary medicine. Each of their paths will intersect amid the chaos as the curse grips the campus and specters descend.

Gameplay remains true to its first-person roots, allowing for an immersive dive into this world of suspense and terror. With controls designed to keep you nimble, the left analog stick handles movement, while the right lets you survey your spooky surroundings. Quick reactions are key; should danger rear its head, the R2 button snaps you around in an instant, and flicking the left stick lets you dash away. Need to navigate stealthily or squeeze through tight gaps? Just click the right stick to crouch, minimizing noise and avoiding detection.

As in typical horror fare, the ambient sounds become your nemesis. Every clatter might attract unwanted attention. Engage with your environment using the X button, and manage your gear and communications with the Triangle and Square buttons, respectively. Navigate your phone’s content with the L1 and R1 buttons, while the Touchpad offers a detailed map to chart your course across the eerie campus.

An intriguing addition to your arsenal is the Anima lantern. This mystical gadget not only unveils hidden secrets but also dispels dark forces. Activating it with R1 bathes your vicinity in a protective glow and leads you to the next piece of the puzzle. Remember, its power is not infinite. Should a ghost hunt you down, the lantern might shield you from a single lethal encounter, but you’ll need to recharge it before relying on its protection again.

For those hunting achievements, the game offers a full set of trophies, culminating in a coveted Platinum. And here’s something you might appreciate: it’s a Cross-Buy title, meaning your $24.99 grants you access to both PS4 and PS5 versions, each with its own trophy roster. Challenges range from collecting every in-game trinket to a more macabre task list, including experiencing all possible character demises. Need guidance? You can seek out specialized tutorials to ensure no trophy slips through your grasp.

With The Bridge Curse 2: The Extrication, players are invited to revisit the haunted Wen Hua University, joining an ensemble cast ensnared in a chilling supernatural ordeal. The game masterfully blends horror and intrigue, beckoning both veterans of the series and newcomers to confront their fears head-on as possession takes hold and specters haunt the hallways. Whether you’re seeking a scare or the satisfaction of a trophy hunt, this sequel delivers an engaging thriller on both PS4 and PS5.

This review of The Bridge Curse 2: The Extrication is based on a PS5 copy kindly provided by PQube.