DreadOut 2 Remastered: Review
Dreadout 2, an Indonesian horror survival game, came out to consoles last month and, swept up in nostalgia, I simply couldn’t resist purchasing it. It’s been years since I played last and I could only remember all the good things about the series.
The Indonesian folklore. The amazing monster design. The exceptional characters and plot. The obvious homage to the Fatal Frame series. It only occurred to me once I was an hour in that many of those good memories are tied to DreadOut 1 and Dread Out: Keepers of the Dark.
I’d forgotten most of DreadOut 2. Which says something, considering that it came out in 2016.
But I gave this game my very best shot. With clear eyes and the knowledge that, even now, DreadOut isn’t some big budget triple A game.
And, well. I have to be honest with you. It’s a mess.
It doesn’t look like it was made for next gen consoles. The models can still be awkward, the environment borders on drab and forgettable. We’ve gotten so many great horror indie games that look amazing in the past year that it’s hard to excuse the roughness, especially for a remastered game.
But the true deep sin of DreadOut 2 is that its story doesn’t make any sense without having played the previous installment, even with the cinematic at the start. Even playing both, DreadOut 1 and the standalone game Keepers of Dark, this game still barely makes sense.
The gameplay is also, unfortunately, not great. I’ve complained about camera-based battle systems in my Fatal Frame gameplay reviews but DreadOut 2 is the absolute pinnacle of bad battle systems. You have no sense of health. Shots that feel like they should hit sometimes don’t. Some boss fights feel unfair. Other boss fights feel so easy as to be anticlimactic. And the way she swings an axe is genuinely pathetic.
Beyond that, there are a lot of side quests. And as a person who loves side quests, I was super excited about it. But they don’t really contribute to anything. I don’t get cool lore, character development, or the opportunity to explore Linda’s ample trauma, or even help her heal from it.
But there are some good aspects. The environments are still really cool. I personally find high schools and hospitals creepy, and you get to explore both in a Silent Hill-esque style. There are some genuinely creepy moments mid-way through the game. And of course, I love the tidbits of Indonesian black magic and spirits that you see scattered about.
But these silver linings are anemic, practically translucent, in the face of the overwhelming negative aspects of this game. I still can’t get over the fact that they released DreadOut2 before 1. It must’ve been for budget reasons, because I can’t see this game being anything other than a cash grab.
So, as much as it pains me, skip DreadOut 2. There are better games coming out.
For example, did you know that White Day: A Labyrinth Named School is also coming out to consoles on Sept. 8th? Look out for that review in the coming weeks!
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Gaming
Lovecraft Meets Junji Ito in WORLD OF HORROR
WORLD OF HORROR is a cosmic horror roguelite game developed by Paweł Koźmiński and published by Ysbryd Games.
WORLD OF HORROR is a cosmic horror roguelite game developed by Paweł Koźmiński and published by Ysbryd Games. The game is available on macOS, Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. This review will cover the Steam (Windows) version of the game.
You must explore the strange goings on around Shiokawa, Japan. It appears that eldritch forces have influenced the town in incomprehensible ways. So, attempt to comprehend these forces and maintain your sanity to save the town. Plan your investigations, choose between cases, and fight for your life.
There are a few game modes but three difficulty spikes. The easiest is a specific case with some random events. This mode teaches you the basic mechanics of the game. The harder difficulties give you access to an apartment and choices on which case you investigate. Completing objectives earns you customization options for the customized mode.
What I Like About WORLD OF HORROR
Running on GameMaker Studios, the pixelated aesthetic shows influences from Lovecraft and Junji Ito, though the latter more so than the former. WORLD OF HORROR haunts its viewers with its aesthetic, allowing the pixels to evoke those horror legends.
Random generation remains a key feature of the game, with various options and choices giving a massive variety. Your character also has some limited customization to access perks and further development. I will bring up some weaknesses later, but it is surprisingly vast. Adding to this variety, WORLD OF HORROR provides mod accessibility.
The combat allows for a great deal of thought and planning. You select your character’s actions within an action bar and perform the tasks (or combos) to beat an opponent. This JRPG style provides variety in action that makes it engaging and unique.
- Hardcover Book
- Ito, Junji (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
Last update on 2025-01-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The random generation and variety make each playthrough different. You might acquire a devastating katana in one playthrough only to bleed out unceremoniously in another.
While not a terrifying gaming experience, WORLD OF HORROR strives to provide an eerie and intense experience. At this, the game is a success. The weird and unnerving collide to invest the player in this strange world.
Tired Tropes and Triggers
Body horror deserves a mention, but the aesthetic and pixels doesn’t particularly evoke realism. Regardless, many designs evoke body horror.
Aside from this, here are some points of consideration. First, WORLD OF HORROR uses JRPG turn-based combat, which seems a point of division among some gamers. However, there are enough interesting mechanics and complexities beyond clicking an action and waiting your turn.
- Hardcover Book
- Ito, Junji (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
Last update on 2025-01-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Second, WORLD OF HORROR isn’t a cult detective. You’re experiencing events and choosing how your character responds. Some sage wisdom I heard for WORLD OF HORROR is to focus on the whole campaign instead of a single case. Failing a case isn’t a game over, so prioritize your character’s longevity.
What I Dislike About WORLD OF HORROR
Only a few issues hindered my experience. Some scenarios replay on a single case, let alone a playthrough, which becomes repetitive. Some scenarios have multiple solutions to add variety or require perks to access new options, but that’s not always true. This issue makes the randomization taxing at times.
This next issue is likely a bug or an oversight. After losing my reason (sanity), I found myself still able to investigate despite the game claiming that means death. An unrelated event finished me off, but I can’t help but assume this is a bug.
Final Thoughts
WORLD OF HORROR has its quirks but earns massive replay value and surprising depth. It’s a unique and ambitious indie title worth the price. If Junji Ito’s style or cosmic horror is your particular brand of horror, WORLD OF HORROR delivers an experience you’ll likely enjoy. Though this combination synergizes well, few games combine these elements successfully.
(4.5 / 5)
Step into the mind-bending world of Eldritch Automata as we sit down with Game Designer Nick Francia at GenCon 2024!
Uncover the secrets behind this Lovecraftian mecha-masterpiece and get a glimpse of what’s to come.
In this exclusive interview, Nick Francia shares:
• The intricate game development process • Inspirations behind the eerie Lovecraftian elements
• Unique mecha-infused gameplay mechanics Calling all Lovecraft fans! Dive into a world where eldritch horrors meet steam-powered marvels.
Eldritch Automata promises an unforgettable gaming experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
👉 Ready to embrace the madness? Check out our playable demo at a con near you! #EldritchAutomata #GenCon2024 #LovecraftianGaming #IndieGameDev
Prepare for a spine-chilling experience as Jim Phoenix delves into the shadows with Trick or Treat Studios at GenCon 2024!
In this exclusive interview, we uncover the terrifying secrets behind their latest bone-chilling creations: “House of 1000 Corpses” and “Halloween II” board games.
These games aren’t just about rolling dice – they’re about immersing yourself in the blood-curdling atmosphere of beloved horror films. With unique survival (and kill!) horror mechanics and cooperative gameplay, you’ll feel the terror coursing through your veins with every move!
But wait, there’s more! With the Kickstarter to House of 1000 Corpses shipping soon, we have an in-depth review coming up for that game, Halloween II–AND…Chucky. BOOMMM!!!
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Bugulus
August 22, 2022 at 12:09 pm
I find sometime with remakes, there’s some dated fundamental concepts that they just can’t update right, like AI and controls. It unfortunately seems like this is true in this game based on your review 🙁