Mortanis: Prisoners Review: Is This Indie Horror Worth Your Time?

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The survival horror genre has seen a massive resurgence lately, but few titles take a swing at a premise as heavy as Mortanis: Prisoners. Recently released on Xbox Series X|S, this indie title from developer Honor Games and publisher Axyos Games blends the grounded horrors of a WWII concentration camp with a supernatural descent into purgatory.

But does this grim shooter-horror hybrid deliver a meaningful experience, or is it a nightmare for the wrong reasons? Here is our full review.

The Story: Between Cruelty and the Grave

The game opens with a visceral, high-stakes setup. You play as Justina, a Polish resistance fighter captured and sent to a Nazi concentration camp. Following a failed rebellion, the camp leadership begins mass executions. In the midst of this historical atrocity, something ancient and hungry awakens beneath the camp.

The narrative takes a sharp turn early on when Justina awakens in a gruesome operating theater, greeted by the embodiment of Death. From there, the game shifts from a historical prison break to a “Resident Evil-style” journey through a surreal, supernatural version of the camp. The transition is jarring but effective at establishing a sense of hopelessness.

Gameplay: Old-School Survival Tension

Mortanis: Prisoners is a first-person survival horror game that wears its inspirations on its sleeve. If you grew up playing the original Resident Evil or Silent Hill titles, you’ll recognize the DNA here:

  • Scarcity is Key: Ammo and bandages are your lifeblood. While some players find the resources generous, playing on higher difficulties forces you to weigh every shot.
  • Weighted Combat: This isn’t a fast-paced “Call of Duty” shooter. The weapons have kick, reloads are slow, and the movement feels heavy. This adds to the tension when a creature is lumbering toward you in a tight corridor.
  • The “Metroidvania” Loop: You’ll spend much of your time finding keys, restoring power to elevators, and solving mechanical puzzles. A controversial mechanic requires you to “discover” a need for an item before you can pick it up—leading to some backtracking that may annoy modern players but will feel nostalgic to veterans of the genre.

Atmosphere & Performance on Xbox

Visually, the game is a mixed bag, but it excels where it counts: atmosphere. On the Xbox Series X, the game runs at a crisp 4K, utilizing sparse lighting and flickering lanterns to create an oppressive sense of dread. The camp feels lived-in and miserable, with environmental storytelling—notes, discarded belongings, and grizzly remains—doing the heavy lifting for the world-building.

However, the indie budget does show in the animations. Character movements and enemy reactions can feel stiff, and some textures look a bit dated when viewed up close.

The Verdict: Is It Worth It?

Mortanis: Prisoners is a “middle-of-the-road” survival horror experience that succeeds on the strength of its unique setting and suffocating tone. It’s a short experience—clocking in at around 2 to 4 hours for most players—which has led to some debate over its $18–$20 price tag.

The Good:

  • Deeply unsettling, atmospheric setting.
  • Satisfyingly heavy combat mechanics.
  • Solid Xbox Series X optimization (4K/Spatial Sound).
  • No-nonsense, focused survival horror loop.

The Bad:

  • Short runtime with limited replay value.
  • Technical “roughness” and stiff animations.
  • Lack of genuine “jump scares” for those seeking a thrill ride.
  • Backtracking mechanics can feel dated.

Final Thought:

If you are a die-hard survival horror fan who appreciates tone over polish, Mortanis: Prisoners is a grim, focused journey worth taking—ideally during a weekend sale. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it provides a hauntingly unique backdrop for a classic genre.

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