Key Takeaways
1. Indie games like Iron Lung, Signalis, and Fear and Hunger 2 are gaining popularity for their atmosphere and unique designs, often surpassing AAA titles.
2. Video Ghastlies, a new indie horror game by KatanaLevy, will be released on Steam, featuring cursed VHS tapes and various horror cinema themes.
3. The gameplay includes puzzle-solving, scavenging, and survival elements, with each tape offering different enemies and dangers.
4. The game utilizes retro visual effects and vintage horror aesthetics, enhancing the chilling atmosphere.
5. KatanaLevy aims to create a cinematic experience while exploring the history of horror media, with the game set to launch in late 2025.
Indie games have been making waves in the gaming community, especially lately. Titles such as Iron Lung, Signalis, and Fear and Hunger 2 have drawn a massive amount of players’ interest and critical praise. These games often surpass larger AAA horror titles in their atmosphere, uniqueness, and community engagement. It’s not just about nostalgia; it’s more about how players engage with horror through innovative and focused designs that reflect the developers’ true passions.
A New Indie Horror Game
A fresh addition to the indie horror genre has just been announced, tapping into the vibe of analog-era cinema. Video Ghastlies, created by solo Scottish developer KatanaLevy and published by Oro Interactive, was officially revealed today (April 17) as an upcoming survival horror game set to release on Steam later this year.
Gameplay Elements
At its heart, Video Ghastlies revolves around cursed VHS tapes that transport players into terrifying cinematic worlds. Each of these realms is connected to different periods of horror cinema, from the grainy gothic stories of the 1930s to the bloody Italian slashers and found-footage nightmares. The player’s primary safe haven is their apartment, which acts as a base where they gather clues and strategize for their next venture into the worlds of each tape.
According to the press release, Video Ghastlies seems to blend puzzle-solving, scavenging, and survival horror elements. Each tape-based universe features unique enemy types, weapons, and location-specific dangers, like mutated rats or deformed humans. Screenshots from the reveal showcase a combination of retro visual effects, low-fi VHS distortion, and intricately designed 3D environments that create a chilling atmosphere. The incorporation of CRT TVs and vintage horror movie covers as gameplay mechanics appears to be quite interesting too.
Developer Background
KatanaLevy, the developer, is familiar with darker themes, having previously contributed to games like Cardiac and Daemonologie. However, this time, the focus shifts more toward a cinematic experience, exploring horror’s history and media culture. Oro Interactive, known for the multiplayer success Murky Divers, seems to be taking a more story-driven route with this new collaboration.
The game is anticipated to launch in late 2025. Players can add Video Ghastlies to their Steam wishlist to keep up with updates as more gameplay information and trailers become available in the upcoming months. You can view the game trailer and some images below.
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