Hell is Us – Demo Impressions

This is a wild one. I downloaded the Hell is Us demo on a whim, and I’m really glad I did. At the most basic, you can say it’s some kind of Dark Souls-lite, at least regarding the fighting. What makes Hell is Us more than it looks is the very mysterious setting that I can best describe as something between the books Roadside Picnic, and the Southern Reach Trilogy. I found the atmosphere thick and weird, with a dark, foreboding tone that engulfs the whole experience in this strange land.

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More survival horror with Liminal Point

The craze for more indie survival horror games continues unabated with Liminal Point by the two-man developer team HideWorks. The game is far from release, being set to launch next year according to Steam. However, a five-minute trailer was recently released with uncut gameplay, which allows for a peek into the mechanics, and the setting.

From what I can tell from the gameplay shown, it will be a top-down isometric experience, with a striking looking female protagonist. Gameplay, and tone seems to be a blend of classic horror a la Resident Evil, accompanied by a psychological aspect much like Silent Hill 2. The combat also seems to be somewhat more involved than the usual survival horror title. Melee seems to be skill-based, requiring dodges and timing when to attack. Overall, things are looking very promising. Down below, you can take a look at the trailer yourself at the survivalhorrors channel.

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Phase Zero – Demo Impressions

There have been many survival horror games made in the style of Resident Evil, with crunchy PlayStation aesthetics. But most have felt lacking, not living up to the hard-to-reach legacy of the past. So, I’m glad to say, after giving the demo for Phase Zero a go, it shows true potential for the future, while feeling like survival horror from the golden era.

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Kathy Rain 2: Soothsayer – Biking while Moody

Kathy Rain is back. A bit older, but as sassy as ever. However, her sassiness has not done her any good. Her P.I. agency is failing due to lack of money, and her best friend Eileen is now estranged. While Kathy Rain 2: Soothsayer continues the tale of the foulmouthed biker chick, things have changed over the years. Some for the better, most for the worse. I did enjoy the first game, except for the ending, which I thought came a little too fast and loose. So, will Kathy Rain 2 be a better experience, tying everything up satisfactorily, or will it face the same fate? Let’s dive in.

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Found this little thing…

Came across the announcement of Critical Shift in a forum post over at the Codex, and I felt compelled to share it here with my fellow tactical brothers. The gameplay looks like a modern turn-based Xcom title, with heavy SCP influence (but maybe not as silly as some SCP files). Critical Shift is taking place on an abandoned secret base in the Arctic, where researchers have dug up something they shouldn’t have, and now need help from you. Sounds like a true sci-fi classic in the making, at least story-wise. You see, I’m a sucker for everything involving scientists meddling in stuff nobody sane would touch with a ten-meter pole. It’s one of my favorite book genres, within sci-fi/horror. That, and tales of doomed expeditions, so I’m excited. The trailer looks damn cool as well, especially if you enjoy a little gore here and there. Check it out below.

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