Introduction

PT is one of the few horror games that even today I think trumps almost every horror title out there. Scary, disturbing, and filled with hidden lore, PT wasn’t even a full game—it was meant to be Silent Hills but was axed for numerous reasons—and just a demo to show what could have been. Since then, dozens of games have claimed to take its crown, and having played most of them, they haven’t. Luto is one of the newest contenders, and while I won’t sit here and say it comes close to PT, it does have concepts that echo that game and others. Is Luto the next big horror experience, or is it a title that should have stayed in development? Here’s my spoiler-free review of Luto for the PS5!

Gameplay

Luto—which means “mourning” in Spanish—is all about death, what it does to the psyche, and the struggle to overcome it. Players assume the role of Sam, who, as the narrator loves to remind us, is a seemingly normal individual who plans to move and go through his daily life. At first, when I booted up Luto and got a brief jumpscare, I thought this could be a true PT experience. Then the narrator started talking, and I was almost immediately reminded of The Stanley Parable.

Luto is at its core a first-person horror/puzzle game, and like PT, players will often be forced to endure loops through the same locations. Its strength lies in the deeper story being told. These loops are meant to be consuming, and there’s a reason for them. Nearing the short three-hour runtime, I realized Luto wasn’t aiming for traditional horror—it’s telling a dark, emotional tale. Those who have experienced death and grief will understand.

My biggest gripe with Luto is the puzzle design. Some are obvious, while others are so hidden I had to look them up. One puzzle involving a door and knocking had an obscure solution that I doubt anyone would get naturally. It can be frustrating.

On a lighter note, the full Night of the Living Dead movie is included in the game. I expected just a clip, but it’s the whole film on an old-school black and white TV. As a die-hard fan, I loved this surprise inclusion.

Graphics

The original Luto demo was visually impressive, and the final game holds up. There’s a nice amount of photorealistic detail that helps create an eerie atmosphere. While it can’t match PT or modern Resident Evil titles in visual fidelity, it doesn’t have to. Luto crafts a believable, relatable environment—one that makes the horror feel uncomfortably close to home.

Sound

Horror needs strong audio, and Luto delivers in that department. The narrator initially disrupts the mood, but his tone shifts over time. What starts as calm becomes unsettling. I began to dread his presence instead of welcoming it. His voice acting is excellent and becomes essential to the experience.

The rest of the audio is also top-notch. Small sounds—a fragrance sprayer going off, distant footsteps—build unease effectively. Luto immerses your ears into its world and makes you feel like something is always lurking just out of sight.

Story

Without spoiling much, Luto tells a story that goes deeper than expected. Sam seems like just another person grieving loss, but the game twists expectations. It’s not a generic tale of sadness; it’s a layered exploration of trauma, death, and broken family dynamics. I underestimated Luto at first, but the narrative surprised me with how emotionally grounded and powerful it became by the end.

Conclusion

Luto is a surprising horror title that I wasn’t prepared for. What seems like a basic jump scare fest ends up becoming a tightly crafted, emotional, and tension-filled experience. While the puzzles and the opening act hold it back a little, I’d still say it’s a game worth recommending. Horror veterans and story-focused gamers alike will find something meaningful in Luto. Just be ready to listen closely, pay attention, and embrace the strange.

—Aaron