Penumbra is a first person horror adventure focusing on story, immersion and puzzle solving. Violence and combat is hardly an option - the player has to use wits to guide Philip through his final test, and this makes the series unique in offering a truly dangerous and terrifying experience.
This game is everything I love about 3D videogames. It's immersive, it's got amazing atmosphere and it's based on a simple premise: "No turning back."
The combat mechanic is out of place and the game would be better without combat. Penumbra Black Plague recognized that and it's thankfully absent in that game. However, I still recommend this game as one of the creepiest and most atmospheric games ever released.