When it comes to survival-horror, only a handful of elite titles manage to evoke a sense of genuine dread and terror in their audiences. These are high aspirations that many contenders struggle to achieve. Going into a survival-horror game, a player has certain expectations: to be scared while drowning in suspense. The good news is that Siren actually succeeds in eliciting dread and terror---just not in ways that would satisfy your expectations. Siren's horror comes from putting up with disjointed pacing and frustrating gameplay.
Siren makes a few attempts to provide a uniquely compelling experience, and these are principally honorable efforts. Unfortunately, the game's unique elements are ultimately what make it or break it. Some players may find Siren a refreshing take on survival-horror, but others are perhaps more likely to become frustrated and impatient with it. Unless you're really craving something unique, it's best to take the game's own advice and "resist the call."
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