Clive Barker’s Jericho – Supernatural action in a nightmare universe

Clive Barker’s Jericho is a dark, blood-soaked action-horror game that blends intense first-person shooting with occult mysticism and a highly atmospheric narrative. Written by horror master Clive Barker himself, it shows in the bleak world and grotesque enemies you encounter along the way.

Gameplay and features

You lead the Jericho Squad, a special ops team skilled in both conventional and paranormal warfare. Each soldier wields unique weapons and supernatural abilities—from blood magic and possession to pyrokinesis and dimensional portals. You can freely switch between squad members in combat, adding strategic depth to the hectic gameplay.

Your mission is to investigate the resurrection of an ancient city in a desolate desert—a city that should never have existed and that hides something primordial and evil.

Graphics and atmosphere

Visually, Jericho oozes dark ambience, occult symbols, and grotesque enemy design. Built on Unreal Engine 3, it still looks solid despite releasing in 2007. The sound design—especially the voice acting and ambient audio—intensifies the oppressive mood where nightmare and reality blur together.

Enemies and challenges

The game throws waves of demonic enemies and boss battles at you, where leveraging the entire squad’s abilities is vital. Think tactically: Who can stop time? Who can open doors to an alternate dimension? Who heals the team? If one member dies, it isn’t necessarily over—another can take over.

Strengths and weaknesses

Jericho stands out from other shooters by daring to be different: macabre, mysterious, and story-driven. It’s not for everyone—especially if you’re looking for classic multiplayer or open worlds.

Top 5 tips for Clive Barker’s Jericho

Use squad switching actively
Swap between members mid-fight to deploy their special abilities strategically.

Combine magic and bullets
Pair firearms with occult powers—e.g., strip shields with blood magic, then finish with gunfire.

Protect your healer
Church can heal—keep her safe, or it’ll be Game Over fast.

Dig into the lore
The more you understand the mythology, the more the plot clicks—and it runs deep in true Clive Barker fashion.

Save manually—and often
Some sections are brutal with no checkpoints. Use manual saves to avoid repetition.

 

Reviewer’s rating with pros and cons, and user ratings

Clive Barker’s Jericho delivers a distinctive, dark gameplay experience that blends horror and shooting with an original story and tactical mechanics. It isn’t perfect—and it may feel a bit stiff today—but it’s an overlooked horror-action game that deserves another chance.


Pros
🟢 Unique concept featuring occult warfare
🟢 Engaging story from Clive Barker
🟢 Ability to control the whole squad and switch tactics
🟢 Fantastic sound design and a grim atmosphere

Cons
🔴 Linear gameplay with little replay value
🔴 Clunky AI and controls
🔴 No traditional multiplayer
🔴 Graphics are dated by modern standards


🖥️ Supported platforms
🟦 Windows
🎮 Xbox 360 (originally)
🎮 PlayStation 3 (originally)
Note: The PC version can still be purchased and played via, e.g., GOG or Steam (compatibility varies with newer versions of Windows).

User Rating