Some of us aren’t easily frightened by horror games, while others will completely dismiss them due to the sheer level of panic caused by such titles. In the past I’ve admired what the Penumbra series has done for the horror genre. It was a huge milestone in atmospheric storytelling and gameplay that moved away from disruptive combat. Frictional Games later went on to create Amnesia: The Dark Descent and quickly garnered the attention of other developers, whom were influenced by this particular game.
These days we have plenty of horror games on the market, but most of them are not immersive or worth a purchase. After playing so many of these games, I’ve realized what it takes to create a truly realistic horror experience for the player. To be completely immersed in horror, you need to feel a high degree of ambience with each action you take and everything you do must have a consequence. Today, we look at a handpicked selection of upcoming horror titles that will take you on a hellish trip through the darkest corners of your mind. All hallows’ eve isn’t over until you’ve checked out the games below.
Visage
Release: March 2017
Made by indie developer SadSquare Studio and funded through Kickstarter, Visage is a psychological thriller that follows in the footsteps of P.T and puts the player in a haunted environment within an ancient home. While the story hasn’t been fully revealed just yet, the house contains tragic markings from the past. Many of the families that lived in this house have mysteriously died and your job is to uncover the truth behind the decay. I picked this game because it claims to be a horror experience that is true to the core. As noted on the Kickstarter page, SadSquare Studio states “….it's not the typical jump-scare fest we see these days”. This is pleasing to read, as I’ve grown weary of common jump scares planted in obvious parts of a level.
After learning about Visage and glancing through the gameplay reveal, I am quite excited to get my hands on this next year. The game does not rely on using weapons to defend your character, nor does it provide tutorials on each underlying mechanic such as the sanity meter. Instead, you must use the nearby environment to interact with objects and hide from the entity haunting the house. I’m compelled to compare it to Allison Road, another psychological horror game that currently has no release date. A good psychological thriller relies on an atmospheric soundtrack and Visage promises to deliver by establishing a menacing tone that will send chills down your spine. You can take a peek at some of the auditory samples on this page. In the end, I hope Visage can deliver a fresh game built on its bold promises.
Hello Neighbor (Release: Summer 2017)
Release: Summer 2017
It’s easy to misunderstand the unique approach Hello Neighbor is taking with the horror genre, but looks aren’t everything and this game can become a terrifying experience in a matter of seconds. Hello Neighbor takes place in a colorful neighborhood that contains various homes you can enter and explore. The story is centered around investigating a deranged neighbor by brazenly entering his home and stealthing around for clues. If you get caught, your neighbor will grab you and you’ll respawn back in your own house. There are a variety of surprises laid out for you to stumble into, including bear traps and sharks.
What I like most about Hello Neighbor is the rush you get from sneaking around someone else’s house. It takes a different stance on horror games in comparison to what other developers are doing. The intense music playing during a dire pursuit with your neighbor is enough to make you shriek in a panicked state of mind. There are several objects to pick up and interact with, as well as strategic puzzles to solve. Currently, the pre-alpha demo is available for download on the official website and comes packed with a taste of what’s to come.
Routine
Release: March 2017
This space-themed horror game almost missed our list, but surprisingly there was a new trailer released on Halloween with an official release date attached to the end. For those that are not familiar with Routine, it was first announced over 4 years ago at Gamescom and I’ve been following it ever since. Developed by Lunar Software, Routine revolves around discovering the truth behind the missing staff stationed at Lunar Research Station. The game takes place on a fully explorable Moon Base and there is no HUD or mini-map to guide you around, nor any health packs.
One of the most powerful elements Routine has to offer is the permadeath feature. This means you will not be able to respawn if your character fails to survive. I’m curious to see how this turns out, as things can get very tedious if it’s a 5 or 6 hour game. Its art style is reminiscent to that of Alien: Isolation, with modest use of chromatic aberration and a 70s filter slapped on top. Lunar Software seems to be aiming for a fully immersive experience and I can’t wait to see how the final product turns out. We should all be happy it isn’t considered vaporware anymore.
Outlast 2
Release: Q1 2017
When the first Outlast game released back in 2013, I wasn’t expecting it to be significant in the horror genre but was caught by surprise. Regardless of the jump scares, it was still a nerve-racking experience that I had to endure for hours. The upcoming Outlast 2 rivals the first game by expanding on the environment and levels you traverse. It takes place in a rural area near the Sonoran Desert, as you investigate the murder of a pregnant woman and attempt to reconnect with your wife. Nearby villages are home to a dangerous cult that believe the world is ending.
Since playing the Outlast 2 demo earlier this month, I have a clear understanding of just how stunning the game looks and plays. Built on a modified version of the Unreal Engine, the visuals are enveloped with a sinister atmosphere blooming from within each level. As I made my way through the empty halls, I became indulged in the background noises which add to the overall theme the game is trying to portray. In a similar fashion to Amnesia, Penumbra and Visage, you cannot use any weapons in Outlast 2 and must rely on hiding or escaping from unknown entities and cult members. There is no release date outside of Q1 2017 as of right now, but rest assure we can hardly wait for the complete experience. In the meantime head over to the Steam, Xbox or PSN store and grab the Outlast 2 demo before November 1st or it will be permanently removed.
