Them and Us is a single-player survival horror game set in 1978 that places players in control of Alicia, a young woman who survives a bus crash on a remote American road and must navigate an unfolding nightmare filled with unknown threats and personal revelations.
Gameplay
Core play revolves around exploration, resource management, and puzzle solving in a third-person perspective. Alicia moves through environments that shift from rural wilderness into more confined, eerie spaces as the story progresses. Combat involves realistic damage modeling and dismemberment when weapons are used, though ammunition and supplies remain limited to encourage careful planning rather than constant fighting.
Puzzles appear as in-world ciphers and key-based challenges that require observation and logical deduction. Inventory space is restricted, forcing players to decide what to carry and what to leave behind. The game runs at a default 60 frames per second with options for unlocked frame rates and post-processing effects such as bloom and god rays to enhance visual atmosphere. An optional retro graphics mode reverts visuals to an earlier console style and pairs it with stricter camera rules for added difficulty.
Flashbacks and certain sequences switch to first-person view to deliver story context without breaking the overall third-person framework. No hand-holding occurs; progression depends on player intuition and repeated exploration of each area.
Game Modes
Two primary control schemes shape the experience. Fixed camera mode recreates the classic survival horror setup with static camera angles that limit visibility and demand precise movement. This option suits players seeking maximum challenge and tension through restricted sightlines and deliberate pacing.
Over-the-shoulder mode offers a more contemporary alternative while retaining core survival elements. Aiming and movement feel closer to modern action games, yet resource scarcity and enemy behavior keep the difficulty intact. Both schemes support the same story and levels, allowing players to switch based on preference without altering narrative outcomes.
Story and Atmosphere
The narrative follows Alicia as she uncovers fragments of her own history amid a larger, unexplained transformation affecting the world around her. Events unfold through environmental storytelling, brief cutscenes, and memory sequences rather than lengthy exposition. The 1978 setting grounds the horror in a period without modern conveniences, amplifying isolation and vulnerability.
Sound design and lighting play central roles in building dread. Quiet stretches give way to sudden threats, and the wilderness setting transitions into increasingly surreal interiors. Multiple endings exist, determined by choices made during the final sections of the game.
Technical Details and Extras
Ultra-wide monitor support extends the field of view for compatible displays. After completing the main story once, additional costumes and weapons become available for subsequent playthroughs. The game includes no online components or seasonal content, remaining a self-contained single-player title since its release.
Performance notes indicate the title runs adequately on mid-range hardware from its era, though newer laptops may require manual graphics settings adjustments to prevent power-saving modes from throttling the experience.
Is It Worth Playing?
Them and Us appeals most to players who enjoy deliberate, atmosphere-driven survival horror with classic mechanics. Those who appreciate fixed-camera challenges or are willing to adapt to limited resources will find a focused experience that rewards patience and observation. The dual control options broaden accessibility for different play styles without diluting the core tension.
Reception among genre fans highlights its faithful approach to older conventions, though some note occasional pacing issues or familiar tropes. Completionists can pursue alternate endings and unlockables across multiple runs. If classic survival horror with modern polish on controls and visuals matches your preferences, the game delivers a compact, self-contained campaign worth considering.
