Kredolis

The legend of Atlantis—Plato’s fabled lost island—has inspired countless books, films, documentaries, and video games. According to the ancient Greek philosopher, Atlantis was a powerful and technologically advanced civilization that existed around 9,000 years before his time (approximately 11,500 years ago). Its downfall, as the story goes, came as divine punishment for its hubris and moral decline, culminating in a cataclysmic submersion beneath the sea. Kredolis, a puzzle-adventure game from Pharos Interactive, offers a refreshing take on this well-worn myth. In this version, Atlantis is long gone, but a nearby island that escaped destruction continues to hold its story and some remnants of its knowledge. Once deserted by the original inhabitants, the island was briefly used by a mysterious scientific institute during the 1970’s—before they, too, vanished under unclear circumstances.

You play as an unnamed protagonist who washes ashore on the island after a violent storm in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean (incidentally, this ocean is named after the lost continent). With no backstory and no immediate direction, your journey begins in quiet solitude. From there, it is up to you to explore the ancient and modern ruins and dim underground tunnels, solving puzzles and piecing together fragments of the past in order to secure the future. These fragments come in the form of notes and scrolls. The notes, written by researchers from the now-abandoned institute, outline efforts to preserve Atlantean knowledge—at any cost. The scrolls are much older, attributed to ancient scholars and preserved in surprisingly good condition. Together, these elements help build a subdued tale of ambition, secrecy, and forgotten knowledge.

Kredolis does not provide much in the way of character development or motivation, but the objective—escape the island—is clear enough. This minimalist storytelling approach allows the player to focus more on exploration and atmosphere. Visually, the game is pleasing. It captures the warm, unhurried atmosphere of a hot summer day on a Greek island with skill. Sunlit ruins, flower-lined paths, and shimmering seas all contribute to a calm visual tone. Even the underground areas, while more clinical in design, still maintain a degree of visual warmth. The experience is supported by a gentle musical score and subtle sound design that complements the tone without overwhelming it.

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The puzzles in Kredolis are fair and logically structured. They emphasize observation over guesswork and maintain a steady level of challenge that may suit most players. Puzzle veterans might find certain mechanics familiar, and some puzzles too easy, but overall, the game achieves a good balance. One early sequence introduces a timed puzzle involving a maze, which some may regard as a notable deviation from genre norms. While it may not appeal to purists, its short length and manageable difficulty prevent it from becoming a serious disruption.

Character interaction is almost non-existent throughout the game. You explore alone, with occasional voiceovers reading the words of long-gone characters. These performances vary in tone and quality, from expressive to more neutral. However, the lack of playback controls—no pause or skip, only mute—may be frustrating to some players. Thankfully, all dialogue is also available in written form, allowing players to engage with the story at their own pace.

There is one small inconsistency in the game’s use of language. Though it is not known which language was used by the Atlanteans, some inscriptions in the game appear in a mix of Greek, Latin, and English. While possibly intended to evoke mystery, the result feels slightly uneven and may detract from the worldbuilding for more attentive players. On the other hand, it might simply be a blunder. Still, this doesn’t impact gameplay or progression in any way.

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According to the developer’s website, Pharos Interactive is essentially a one-man studio, Kredolis being its debut title. With that in mind, the game shows a commendable level of polish. Its environments are well-crafted, the pacing is steady, and it delivers a quiet, true sense of discovery. The ending, while abrupt and a bit cryptic, seems to leave the door open for future content. Perhaps this game is merely a prologue for a series of deeper, more complex games. Overall, Kredolis is a well-made game suited for casual players or those seeking a slower, reflective experience. It does not push boundaries, but it is a solid effort that offers a pleasant vacation without leaving home.