The highly anticipated sequel, The Bridge Curse 2: The Extrication, has arrived on the PlayStation 5 courtesy of Softstar Entertainment and PQUBE, offering a fresh, spine-tingling first-person horror adventure. After thoroughly enjoying The Bridge Curse: Road to Salvation back in 2023, I was more than curious to see how this new installment would push the envelop even further on Sony’s console. This time around, our eerie journey sets against the backdrop of Wen Hua University, where a sinister curse is rumored to haunt the corridors, populated by an assortment of ghosts and spectral entities. The plot thickens when the university’s film club decides to lure in new recruits with their Carnival of Horror event, only to find the boundary between fiction and reality dissolving into a chilling nightmare.
Throughout the game, you’ll navigate the haunting corridors as one of four distinct characters: Sue Lian, who once graced the screens as a lead anchor and now works as a reporter; Richie Chen, a finance junior at Wen Han University; A-Hai, another finance major currently in his sophomore year; and Wu-Zi Nan, a freshman immersed in studying veterinary medicine. Each has a crucial role to play as they get swept up in the malevolent chaos wrought by the curse.
As was true in the previous game, The Bridge Curse 2: The Extrication embraces a first-person perspective. You’ll maneuver your character using the left analog stick for movement, glancing about with the right stick. Given the lurking dangers, you need to remain constantly vigilant. The game lets you quickly swivel around using the R2 button whenever a quick getaway is needed—you can speed things up by pressing in the left analog stick, or slow down and sneak through tight spots by crouching with the right stick. Quiet movement becomes essential; the less noise you make, the better chance you have of evading detection!
As you tiptoe around, enemies react to sounds, including any accidental clatters with items you might brush against. To engage with environments and characters, the X button is your go-to. The Triangle button provides access to your inventory, while the Square button opens your cellphone—navigate between its tabs using the L1 and R1 bumpers to catch up on calls and messages. And don’t forget the Touchpad acts as your map guide—it’s a key tool for knowing your location and marking your next target destination.
One thrilling addition is the Anima lantern. Once acquired, it allows you to delve deeper into clues and banish malevolent forces. Just a tap on the R1 button bathes your surroundings in calming energy, illuminating necessary clues you’ll need to advance. These interactions needn’t happen all at once; if ghosts are hot on your trail, recharge your resolve, and tackle tasks when it’s safe. As an added layer of protection, when charged, the Anima lantern will safeguard against a deadly ghost attack, making it a strategic lifeline once it regains its full energy.
For trophy hunters, The Bridge Curse 2: The Extrication presents a rewarding challenge with a full set, including a coveted Platinum trophy up for grabs. Being a Cross-Buy title, you can enjoy both the PS4 and PS5 versions on your PS5, each with distinct trophy lists. Besides completing all story chapters, various side tasks beckon, such as collecting every in-game item, finding a lucky black cat, and exploring the myriad ways your character can meet their untimely demise. For those seeking guidance, a detailed Trophy Guide is there to help you nab every distinction.
Available for $24.99, The Bridge Curse 2: The Extrication offers a dual experience on both PlayStation 4 and 5 without any additional cost to your wallet. The game invites you to explore the sinister whispers echoing through Wen Hua University’s cursed halls. Immerse yourself in a narrative where fate tangles inexorably with the supernatural as you unearth dark secrets and survive the terror of what goes bump in the night.
(Note: This review mirrors insights gathered from a PlayStation 5 copy supplied by PQube.)
