NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL HORROR, TOO! (PART 2)
Intense flight shooters, first-person platformers, and many other different takes on horror.
Part one can be found here:
Going through these demos and looking at the last 12 games, it seems that these are the last horror filled games from the collection! I think. The demo disc’s story continues to be silly, and reminds me of some Adult Swim show.
From games I’ve heard of, to games that flew under my radar, here are six more games from HauntedPS1 Demo-Disc: Flipside Frights.
Blessed Burden
Developer: Podoba Interactive
Publisher: Marevo Collective
Socials: Twitter (Podoba Interactive) (Marevo Collective) | BlueSky (Podoba Interactive)
The world has ended. Engulfed by the flames of hell, you are the only hope in a hopeless plan. A priest, the las survivor of a religious war that tore the world apart. Make way through the labyrinths, as you find a way to reincarnate the world.
The premise of Blessed Burden alone was eye-catching, and the gameplay is simple, yet fun. A first-person platformer with horror aesthetics and narrative. I get my fix of a speedrunning platformer, horror, and interesting narrative in one go, and I’m very curious if there will be upgrades or abilities as you progress the game.
Death In Abyss
Developer/publisher: Agelvik
You’re the only surviving pilot in your squad as you descend deeper into the abyss in search of the source of the lethal outbreak. But in the deep void swarms of tumorous creatures imaginable only to those who are mad.
This very intense flight shooter surprised me. The intro did such as excellent job setting the tone for the game. You get to see numerous dots flashing on a radar that, as they go deeper, some begin to flash red and disappear. I loved the feel and atmosphere of this game, as I zoomed away from enemies, shooting them to leech their life and to complete my mission, I felt like I was in an uncharted ocean desperately trying to stay alive, not only because it’s my mission but because there was nothing else.
Eclipsium
Developer/publisher: Housefire
Socials: Twitter | BlueSky | Discord
This is the same impressive demo I played a while back, and it can be found here:
To summarize, no jumpscares, it’s bizarre and unexpected, and a unique and fun horror experience.
Friendshapes
Developer/publisher: RainingLamppost
Socials: Twitter | BlueSky | Website
FriendShapes says it’s an abstract existential crisis horror game lite-RPG with non-violent interaction system, and it is as unique an experience as the description says. While I was confused for a while, but the confusion fueled my intrigue.
The interaction with each character and enemy is so unique because of the interaction system. A “mascot” I “fought” didn’t even feel like a fight, even though I was taking damage, as you take physical, mental, and focus damage each round, but more like figuring out how to communicate with it to save my life. None of your actions are to strike or anything, but to “observe,” “touch,” and many other non-combat related actions. This does mean that every encounter will be a surprise.
The Hungry Fly
Developer: Erupting Avocado
Publisher: indie.io
Price: $9.99
Socials: Twitter (Erupting Avodaco) | Website (Erupting Avocado) (Indie.io) | Discord (Erupting Avocado)
There once was a fly. A hungry that flew around in search of their next meal. But everywhere he went, everyone was alive. There were no corpses. No ill creatures. Only sadness in the living. But maybe if you help them, they can help you get your next meal.
I remember hearing about this game some time ago, and the premise was as surreal as the demo I played here. You really do play as a fly that’s in search of their next meal, and you help these strange and sad creatures, though in the demo, you help a predator and “help” a sad caterpillar. The game’s narrative got me as soon as I started, as the beginning is reminiscent of a fairy tale, only that the fairy tale is grim, and that tone follows you wherever you fly.
Juice
Developer/publisher: Colorfiction
The end of the world is here, and you are the bringer of death. An ultraviolent creature with a bloodthirst that may be quenched once it devours every single human. You are hungry. You must feed. You must drink the blood juice of those who are weak.
A very fast arcade first-person game where you dash a plethora of humans, filling your screen with blood, guts, and gore. You can easily lose track of where you’re heading but it’s so cool. What’s very interesting to me is that one side of the gameplay is this ultraviolent murder spree, while the other side of the gameplay is a person whole up in their apartment, watching everything fall apart through the window. The dual narrative, and the artistic style of the game latched onto, and I’m very excited to see how they intertwine.
12 down, 12 more to go! Which games have interested you? Let me know in the comments below!