View source for Penumbra: Overture

{{Penumbra info}}{{Stub}}
{{Infobox game
|title           = ''Penumbra: Overture''
|image           = 
|caption         = 
|developer(s)    = [[Frictional Games]]
|publisher(s)    = Lexicon Entertainment
|director(s)     = 
|producer(s)     = 
|designer(s)     = [[Jens Nilsson]]
|programmer(s)   = [[Thomas Grip]]
|artist(s)       = 
|writer(s)       = [[Tom Jubert]]
|composer(s)     = [[Mikko Tarmia]]
|series          = [[Penumbra (series)|''Penumbra'']]
|engine          = HPL 1
|platform(s)     = Microsoft Windows<br />Linux<br />macOS
|release         = 2007
|genre(s)        = Survival Horror<br />Science Fiction<br />Adventure<br />First-person<br />Real-time
|mode(s)         = 
|content rating  = 
}}
'''''Penumbra: Overture''''' was the first major game made by [[Frictional Games]], published in 2007, predating {{a1}} by three years, and is the first game of the [[Penumbra (series)|''Penumbra'' series]], followed only a year later by the sequel ''[[Penumbra: Black Plague]]''.

Like the ''Amnesia'' games, ''Penumbra: Overture'' is a survival horror game played from a first-person perspective, involving a high degree of object interactibility, and progression depending on managing resources, dealing with deadly monsters, and solving puzzles.

== Gameplay ==
{{Section}}<!--Describes the main game mechanics and gameplay loops.-->

== Plot ==
''Penumbra: Overture'' is set in CE 2000, primarily in a mining complex in northern Greenland. It follows one character, thirty-year-old physicist [[w:c:Penumbra:Philip Buchanon|Philip Buchanon]], searching for the solution to a mystery, while also trying to escape and avoid the horrors lurking in the isolated, frozen, and eerie mine.''Overture'' is the first in the ''Penumbra'' trilogy, and the story of the game ''[[Penumbra: Black Plague]]'' is a direct sequel to it. The story of ''Overture'' notably draws on Lovecraftian themes of cosmic, science-based, and occult horor{{em}}insinuating deeper powers at work, the activity of a cult, and scientists meddling where they ought not{{em}}as well as on more straightforward types of horror, such as fear of isolation, fear of unfriendly elements (the deep cold), claustrophobia, fear of darkness, and fear of predators.

=== Storyline ===
[[w:c:Penumbra:Philip Buchanon|Philip Buchanon]] receives a mysterious letter from his father, who was thought to be dead. Philip follows the clues laid out by the letter to take a vessel to an unknown, uninhabited, abandoned mine in northern Greenland. As he enters the mine, the entrance collapses, forcing him deeper inside to seek escape.

Along the way, Philip begins receiving radio messages from a surviving miner, [[w:c:Penumbra:Tom Redwood|Tom "Red" Redwood]], who has lost his grip on his sanity due to isolation and boredom. Philip descends further through the mine in search of Red, who has promised Philip his aid. Within the mine, however, is an ecosystem of abnormally large and hostile animals: dogs, giant spiders, and others larger and more eldritch.  Documents indicate that some secret society has been scientifically investigating a mysterious phenomenon deeper in the mine.

Philip finally finds Red, who awaits nside an incinerator. He begs Philip to kill him, and Philip activates the incinerator. Among the ashen remains, Philip finds useful items and instructions on how to proceed to the next part of the mine complex, something called [[w:c:Penumbra:Shelter Research Station Greenland|"The Shelter."]] Proceeding from there, an unknown figure ambushes Philip, knocks him out, and drags him away, ending the story.

== Development ==
{{Section}}<!--Describes the process of the games' development, along with its ports and related content. May link to another page which goes more in-depth on the development of the game.-->

== Release ==
''Penumbra: Overture'' was published in 2007 for Windows PC and later for Linux the same year. It was then released for MacOS in 2008. <!--Describes the marketing, media response, and hype around the game.-->

== Reception ==
{{Section}}<!--Details how the game was received by various media outlets and publications. Also includes a table (infobox) with review scores.-->

== Gallery ==
{{Image needed}}
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== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links==
*[https://www.gog.com/en/game/the_penumbra_collection ''The Penumbra Collection'' GOG storepage]
*[https://store.steampowered.com/app/22180/Penumbra_Overture/ ''Penumbra: Overture'' Steam storepage]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penumbra:_Overture ''Penumbra: Overture'' Wikipedia article]

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