September is just about over, which means October is coming. This is the prime time for horror games to coincide with Halloween, and on top of new releases, games likeCall of Duty: Warzoneare preparing horror-themed events. A new game calledStrobophagia: Rave Horroris throwing its hat into this ring, and it’s releasing on October 28.
Originally, horror was mostly in the domain of shooter and puzzle games. Titles likeClock TowerandAlone in the Darkset the stage for what horror would become, but these daysSilent HillandResident Evilare at the forefront of many horror game lists. However, horror in video games casts a much wider net, with games likeAmnesia: The Dark Descentushered in a new era of psychological horror that would be seen in games likeOutlastandFive Nights at Freddy’s.
RELATED:How Amnesia: The Dark Descent Redefined Psychological Horror
The trend of psychological horror is continuing this year with titles likeStrobophagia, which follows its protagonist to the Headless Rave Festival. There are alreadymultiple horror titles launching in October, including a newAmnesiagame, but it is important to look at indie titles as well. The indie game scene has a history of releasing creative horror games, from the originalAmnesiato more modern titles likePony Island.
The protagonist inStrobophagia: Rave Horroris promised freedom, but learns upon arrival that the price is the lives of everyone there. While the gameplay loop is not shown in full in a trailer released by IGN today, it seems to revolve around escaping the forest by evading creatures amid psychedelic areas with EDM blasting. Whereas acyberpunk game likeObserverfocuses on the horror of subjugation,Strobophagiaseems to fixate on the exact opposite.
The woods the player must traverse are as impenetrable as the costumes of the ravers, which makes the neon colors stand out even more and adds a twisted look to the humanoid monsters. It is currently unknown how long the game is.Great horror games can have either a short or long runtime, as long as the pacing of the scares is well done, so the mechanics are what interested players should look out for.
Some parts of the gameplay look familiar. A smartphone is available, although what function it will have outside of communication is unclear. Monsters can attack the player, and it seems there is no way to fight them off. Unless there is a unique mechanic for survival like inIn Sound Mind, players may have no choice but to run. At this point, only time will tell.
