How Did I JUST Hear About Violent Horror Stories (V.H.S.)?
So, this is where "No, I'm not human" came from!
I remember hearing about No, I’m not human some time ago, but I never thought it was part of an anthology where a couple of devs created a game under the theme “pursuit”.
Violent Horror Stories was a neat and short experience, each with their own flaws and appeal, but ultimately, a cool collaboration that promises that some very interesting games will be coming out in the near future.
All Along The Toon Tower
Developer: (Couldn’t pinpoint a name, so here’s everyone involved) Aleynik Andrey, Avocado Eva, Sazonov Dmitriy, Oleynik Andrey, and Maxim Fedoriv
A short puzzle game that, I believe, is an allegory for burnout, and how you can become your worst critic.
This idea comes from the fact that the monster that chases you from the safe is revealed to be you at another point when you are escaping, and when you escape, that same monster comes to hunt you in real life.
It’s a straightforward, very short puzzle game in which you drag and drop the appropriate rooms into the slots to cross to the finish line. The game tries to use the environment to tell a story that seems to be tied to the person shown in the true ending. Perhaps it’s a story about self-doubt in the artistic world, struggling to see if your work is enough, haunting you in your dreams and reality.
Sensation
Developer: Alex Grim
You’re a paparazzi that needs to get the latest and greatest scoop or risk losing your job. Hopefully, it won’t be your last scoop.
While I’ve yet to play a Visual Novel, as odd as that may sound, this feels like one. The main gameplay mechanic revolves around the square (think of camera lenses) that will go around the screen, and objects of interest will become yellow when in the square, you left-click, and you get your protagonist’s input.
As stated, you’re a desperate paparazzi who is following an actress, to get the scoop of course, and so you become her stalker, in a way. But as you continue your picture-taking, you see odd faces on items, bloodied items, and a twitching corpse. The story was amusing, but it did leave a lot to be desired. However, it is a story of how far someone will go for their family, and how far someone will go for their scoop.
I Ate Old Man’s Live Now This Bitch Is Mine
Developer: Bober Bros
Socials: Bluesky | Discord | Twitter
You’re Jacob, a very nervous and shy guy who is driving a sled along with a very crude and bitter old man. He calls you a bitch, slaps you, and laughs at you until you had enough.
This is the most surreal experience of the collection. Everything in its presentation is unique, from the character’s dialogue and interaction, as it’s abusive and spoken through a different language, to the presentation, as it lacks color, and the aspect ratio is reduced until you kill the old man. The game plays like an infinite runner, without being infinite, of course.
The game becomes more bizarre as you go along, maintaining its humor until the very end, and at least in my eyes, showing that the developers behind this game know how to deliver a concise and bizarre short experience.
No, I’m not a human
Developer: Trioskaz
Socials: Twitter
The surface is getting uninvited and dangerous visitors, but they look awfully like humans. There are a couple of differences here and there, but they are very subtle. And it’s getting too hot outside. People are seeking refuge at night as it’s safer. Who will you let in?
This was the big hitter from the anthology to the point that it will be getting turned into a full-fledged game and published by Critical Reflex, and I can see why. The snippet left me wanting more, as the setting is promising, the interactions are unnerving, and overall, there is a great atmosphere. The gameplay is very simple, given the clues you will get throughout the game, make the decision to either let people in or not in your house. During the day, get to know them and make hard choices.
Spot the difference, make the right call, and don’t let the wrong one in. Already wishlisted the game, and I’m very excited to see what a full-fledged version of this game looks like.
Have you heard of these game? What do you think of game horror anthologies? Would you want to see any of these games as a fully-fleshed out game? Let me know below!