Horrified Again! American Monsters Edition Review
I know I kind of got out of doing tabletop game reviews, but I recently acquired some more appropriate games, including another edition of the Horrified board game that started it all. So here we go, teaming up with the Paranormal Investigators… American Monsters Edition.
This game plays pretty much like the original, so I’m not really going to go into playstyle. It’s still collaborative, which I love, and still involves rescuing hapless citizens from certain doom by monster attack, Hollywood style. It still feels like you’re executing a campy B-rated movie script, and boy some of them can play out to be pretty lousy, definitely not blockbuster material.
But this version has a more ’70s ’80s vibe and touches on the whole men-in-black government cover up conspiracy thing in its own way. The city setup and monster feel are decidedly more All-American star-spangled-banner blaze-of-glory crazy, or perhaps “blaze-of-gory” depending on the plot twists. It’s definitely the “Home of the Grave” as the box suggests…
New monsters include Bigfoot, The Jersey Devil, The Ozark Howler, Mothman, Banshee of the Badlands and Chupacabra. Each has different abilities and play styles and each are horrifying in their own unique ways. I really enjoy some of the differences in strategy and interplay between some of these new critters. The Jersey Devil in particular is really complex and the monster motives and how they affect game play are well thought out. We wanted to play with Mothman for this demo since our house is overrun with the critters right now (so many so so many moths…)
My biggest complaint is that this game is just not quite at the same level of development and execution as the first. There are some inconsistencies, such as the Police and Sheriff Station unclearly being one and the same (it seems as though there was a name change in development somewhere and not all of the components were affected). The printing isn’t quite as good and the monster cards are not of the same quality as the original version. And the bag from which you are supposed to hide and draw items is just a stiff plastic-fabric-velcro hot-mess like it’s trying to be a miniature shopping satchel, and not a very good one at that. I replaced it with a Crown Royal fabric sack because those are still the go-to for my cheap-swanky game storage needs and I haven’t had time to sew one specific to the game or acquire something more tasteful.
That said, I do love this version and am glad I got it. I give it 4.5 Cthulhus, like the original.
(4.5 / 5)
The art is gorgeous and perfectly suited to the theme. The new monsters are fun and their miniatures are just as well produced as the originals. The game mechanics are generally good. And the production quality is still better than a lot of things out there, with nice thick gloss cardboard cutouts (it is produced by Ravensburger after all). And there are animals to be found, like goats. In fact, the whole town can be overrun with goats, and your goal to defeat the Chupacabra involves saving them. How can this not be awesome?!!! And I adore the in-game logo for all that there aren’t actually any Roswell-style aliens. (I totally wish that there were, that’d push this review to a 5.0, but then again I’m still swooning a bit from my recent trip.)
If you want to purchase the game for yourself, you can find it online at Amazon here. Remember, Haunted MTL is an Amazon affiliate and gets a kickback when you purchase through us, so Dark Lord Cthulhu says shop away.
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.
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.
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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