Gamers have enjoyed a steady stream of triple-A horror titles over the past few years, including a significant contribution to high-quality remakes (well… resident evil 4, Dead Space).
There are also some pretty big efforts by indie developers, like Sam Barlow's interactive Lynchian masterpiece. immortalityand something inspired by Puppet Combo's throwback demake christmas massacre.
With so much going on, gamers may be wondering whether 2024 will bring more surprises and horrors, or whether the “been there, been there” type of experience will taper off.
Well, we're here to assure you there's no end in sight when it comes to indie horror. When developers are given the freedom to explore their deepest fears, gamers are rewarded with the most innovative, surprising, and chilling experiences.
Let's take a look at the indie horror video games that will scare you this year.
- Photo credit: Kinetic Games
phobia has been available on Steam Early Access since 2020. With its original concept and gameplay, the game quickly gained well-deserved attention, especially from popular content creators and his Twitch streamers, just a few weeks after it became available for download.
phobia From the use of EMF detectors, Ouija boards, and other equipment, they've successfully crafted gameplay that makes gamers feel like they're conducting their own paranormal investigation. Collaborating in an environment where all you can do is search, explore, and execute can produce truly terrifying results.
Since the early access release of the game, developer Kinetic Games has been working hard to perfect the game. It took some time, and there were some setbacks, butphobia It's expected to reach its final form on both PC and modern consoles later this year.
- Photo courtesy of Dual Effects
The sequel to the indie horror that was a phenomenal hit in 2021. a tormented soulgamers will see an equally amazing and highly anticipated sequel later this year.
Tormented Souls 2 Recreating the same mechanics and atmosphere that sent shivers down gamers' spines in the original version, it features throwback tank controls, a priority on puzzles and survival, and above all the chaotic atmosphere of a forgotten place. is.
The original protagonist, Caroline Walker, returns to explore yet another abandoned home with its own horrors. Just like the original game, gamers can expect scenes of bloodshed and torture.
- Photo credit: Little Sewing Machine / Meangrip Studios
Of all the games on this list, Goodbye, Sweet Carol It may be destined to be a sleeper hit.
The game is the latest work from developer Chris Darril (creator of the Remothered series), which blends survival horror with top-notch animation to create an atmospheric and traumatic experience.
Expect all the usual trappings of a survival-focused horror blend: puzzles, methodical pacing, enemies chasing you down, and a sense of helplessness against fear.
Blend survival with stunning animation and the absurdity that always brings back animated films from the Golden Age, and it doesn't take long to get excited about the game's potential to deliver unforgettable horror.
- Photo courtesy: Chinese Room
Developer The Chinese Room may be unrecognizable to many, but the studio has built an impressive list of titles, including: Amnesia: Pig Machine and an indie hit Dear Esther,.
Still Wakes the Deep This is a return to first-person horror for the developer, sending gamers to a remote location, or more precisely, the middle of the ocean.
After an unknown disaster strikes the crew, you are sent to an oil rig off the coast of Scotland. As with any oil rig, expect a claustrophobic and lonely atmosphere, a sense of being stuck in uncharted waters that are closing in on you from all directions.
did it Still Wakes the Deep be interactive X files episode? i hope so.
- Photo credit: Digital Cybercherry
If you're like me, you love found footage.
There's something so eerie and realistic about this genre that utilizes modern (and sometimes not-so-modern) technology to instantly suspend disbelief. Found footage unearths true horrors from camera lenses and social media digital records.
paranormal stories It's the latest horror entry in the genre, prioritizing found footage as the basis for its game mechanics. With surreal graphics and the choice to use body camera footage, which is so popular these days, gamers can expect an exhilarating up-close and personal descent into the paranormal.
Anyone who loves both horror and video games will be at least somewhat familiar with it. silent hill series. Developer Keiichiro Toyama was responsible for the original game, setting the tone for Capcom's atmospheric occult alternative focused on zombies and biological weapons. resident evil series.
slitter head ' is Toyama's latest game, marking his return to the horror genre for the first time in 10 years. Information is still limited, but we know this game will be a great horror experience. Early trailers and footage depict civilians being torn apart by other civilians after being “exploded” by an apparently morbid creature in an apparently Kowloon Walled City setting.
This match has potential, and if Toyama and the team can land it successfully, it could be a truly unique and scary match.
Limited Run Games has been hard at work developing an internal engine that helps accurately remaster classic video games.Among the titles currently announced, the original works are clock tower Ported to modern consoles.
The 1995 cult classic was one of the first survival horror games to prioritize hiding and evasion. The main character, Jennifer Simpson, is an orphan adopted by the Burroughs family. When she arrives at the Burroughs house, the evil serial killer Scissorman claims her as his victim and begins stalking Jennifer throughout her house.
The original game was never released stateside, and a sequel (and a PlayStation 3D remake of the original) followed. clock tower It remained dormant and exclusive to collectors…until now!
Featured image: Sigmund / unsplash
