Another unique experiment from the HPS1 people.
Some obvious yet striking imagery abound in this game. It is a title that is very confident in its symbolism, its presentation and its messaging. Expect some heavy themes dealing with all levels of self-harm (and I do mean all of them, so beware). Simple gameplay that keeps adding itself up to some light challenges. No jumpscares.
I have however encountered clipping issues that made the Ward section significantly less enjoyable than the rest of the game, but I soldiered on and completed it, so let this be a testament to how intriguing Exit Mask can be. Looking at screenshots, you will know instantly if you want to play or not. But it comes recommended by yours truly.
The visual scripting tool I use to create my games. It's just the one that 'clicked' with my brain the best.
A small collection of experiences, somewhat convincing of the necessity of accelerationism.
No jump scares but abrupt ellipses at some points. Bright, colorful but oppressive ambiance. No fail state, except perhaps the society itself.
A bitter yet serene experience. Successfully communicates the complexity of memories and subtle forms or regret.
A narrative experience, no jumpscare, no failstate.
Must play. The most disturbing, stressful, tense horror game ever devised. It is imperfect, raw and unforgiving. Seeing it on Youtube does not compare to actually roaming the halls of the abandoned house on the hill by yourself.
Frequent, violent failstates will be encountered. Jumpscares are part of the gameplay, accompanied by deathly screams and squeals. You will not come out of this unscathed.
Highly recommended to gorehounds, VHS heads and people who think Texas Chainsaw Massacre was based on actual events.
A dark descent into the night. Highly stylized with a convincing sense of place.
No failstate since it is a straight narrative, but sudden blackouts and changes in environment could be considered soft jumpscares.
Recommended to people who prefers sunsets to sunrises.
Highly stylized, to the point of disorientation and anxiety. Even then, there is warmth and safety to be found as well in the rain-soaked ambient cityscape.
No failstates, you are basically invincible, but high-speed cars can ram into you, generating unwanted jumpscares.
Recommended to fans of neon-lit cities at night.
Must play. Kitty Horrorshow is the Mother to all crows. This package contains two highly recommended pieces : Leechbowl and Grandmother.
Both games are without failstates. No jumpscares either, although sudden teleportation or changes in the environment, in all pieces, are deliberately anxiety-inducing.
Recommended to lovecraftians and all other manners of ravens.
A slow, atmospheric experience, with a collectible hook that keeps the explorer engaged. Reminiscent of peaceful, lonely walks late at night.
No failstates and no jumpscares.
Recommended to players who value their solitude.
Must play. An atmospheric, surreal experience, inspired by Twin Peaks and other pieces of bizarre, impressionist culture. Great, soft music brings player along for the mysterious, albeit short ride (it is a demo, after all).
No failstates, as it is a straight narrative, and no jumpscares, although at some specific points the game will try to disorient the player.
Highly recommended to Noir enthusiasts.
An obtuse, arcane experience. Stylized and inspiring environments. Not for the walking simulator novice.
Did not complete the game, but experienced no failstate and no jumpscare.
Must play. Highly stylized exploration game with some fighting elements later in the narrative. Universe reminiscent of the works of Tsutomu Nihei.
Forgiving soft failstates. No jumpscares, although some events are sudden, and visuals in the end part will attempt to disorient the player.
Recommended to fans situated in-between the scifi and medieval fantasy genres.
Highly recommended. Stylized and short experience that will make you feel dread, remorse and yet leave you curious and demand more from this peculiar universe.
No failstates, it is a straight narrative. No jumpscares. Only warm melancholy.
Suggested to readers of classical literature.
A slow burn, a melancholy affair, a fictional tale that can be owned by the player and made personal if they so desire it. Beauty and dread intertwines in a short hour-long experience.
No failstates. No jumpscares, although loud bizarre noises will attempt to disorient and discourage you.
Recommended for walking simulator enthusiasts who demand more from their experiences.
Required play. Even if you've seen the game on Youtube, to play is to fully experience the terror. Bold recreation of the beats of Halloween-type slasher movies.
Violent failstates. Jumpscares aplenty. This is intended to stress you out. Let it.
Remake of Pacific, leaves everything better than it was before. Feeds off of the cold war fears, so older players will get more out of it. Although all should fear the possibility of a nuclear annihilation.
No failstates, straight narrative. No jumpscares (except for the very end, which is in tune with the theme), but expect the game to play with your sense of space and attempt to disorient you.
Highly recommended.
Highly stylized, if minimalist design. Be aware of surroundings at all times. Narration is cryptic. Short. Recommended for the more hardcore obscure explorers.
Clear failstates (although 'videogamey' so not as stress inducing as could be) and some enemies creep up on the player so some soft jumpscares could reasonably be expected.
Required play. A dread-filled walk through an empty house. Surface-level psychological analysis that takes an unexpected dark and convincing turn. For those of us who grew in the suburbs and took time to reflect on the condition.
No failstates (although the game plays on this expectation) but abrupt interruptions that could be considered soft jumpscares.
Again, highly recommended.
Take a left before entering Silent Hill and you might end up in Concluse. Part of a bigger art project, this highly stylized experience will keep you occupied longer than the usual indie horror fare.
This game has slightly anxiety inducing moments, at least one obscure failstate, and moments that could be considered soft jumpscares.
A modern pagan ritual, taking bits from early obscure PC games. Perhaps influenced by the more occult Kitty Horroshow titles. No jumpscares, no failstates.
Also play Pagan : Emporium, although both can be experienced in any order.
An esoteric experience, reminiscent of arcane dreams. No jumpscares, no failstate.
Play Pagan : Technopolis as well, although both can be exeperienced separately, and in any order.
A contemplative, intimate place. Stay for as long as you like.
