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Trailer interpretation: spoilers on a minute trailer, seriously, just go watch it

Picture this. You’ve had a hard day as a fantasy P.O.V. Watchman, all you want to do is peel off that shiny, unblemished armor at the local tavern and grab a nice, lukewarm ye olde brewdog. Last thing you wanted was to get stuck with an extra shift with dipshit Tedric in the middle of the creepyass woods.

And sure enough, as soon as you settle in, he starts whining about Fossbarrow, like you can do anything about that. It’s not your fault some stinky old guy decided to get superpowers one day and become a dumb mage.

As you start to appease the baby, something in the woods snaps your attention away for just a split second. In that moment, Tedric is gone. Completely gone. Like gonegone, except for his helmet, which honestly he doesn’t need because his head is the least damageable thing about him. Still, it’s weird. He doesn’t just leave. Usually if he has to go to the bathroom, he makes you hold his other hand…

“Tedric?” You question, and from the darkness, you hear him moan, “Help me.”

He must have gotten lost somehow by just sitting there, kind of like the time he somehow strangled himself with an extra long strip beef jerky.

“Help me!” He cries out again and suddenly a lantern flashes down the path, squeaking sharply and swaying, as if someone rushed away.

Well, that was…odd. What the hell did he do this time?

You rush forward, pulling back branches in your way, to find a crude-looking scarecrow resting by a lone tree. As soon as you approach, it disintegrates into rot and dust.

Oooookay. Maybe Tedric summoned some kind of something by accidental magic, like when he stuck his **** in that summoning circle and ******* *** while accidentally touch his ***** and ********** until he **** and then somehow the champion Zac was created (my boss says I can’t actually write this, but I think you get the gist).

“HELP ME!” You hear him screech from behind you.

Whipping around, there is another scarecrow, illuminated only by moonlight and the rusty lantern it holds in its gangly, outstretched arm. For a moment, there is only stillness as you catch your breath, as you hear the distant cawing of crows growing nearer.

As the crows pass, shadows in the darkness, you realize that this is not a ***** monster like Zac, this is something…much, much worse.

In a swift motion, its arm falls, squeals against rust. Pauses. Your heart in your throat, you wait for it to dissolve, too. To fall into dust. But, as if woken by your terror, scarlet eyes piece through the darkness, and the skeletal body contorts grotesquely. The creature rushes forward; the gnarled, gaping mouth is the last thing you see…

Fiddlesticks Rework:

Fiddlesticks is getting a spoopy rework and it’s not even Halloween!

Not that I play Stiddleflicks (he’s difficult and I’m lazy), but I’ve always appreciated the horror elements of League of Legends – Diddlefanks being one of the best it has to offer. And, trust me, League actually offers quite a bit. You have mummies, spider-babes, mad scientists, mermaids, demons, eater of souls, taker of souls, breaker of souls, werewolves, genetic experiments, a gargoyle, a vampire (kinda), and a giant bug that wants to eat everyone. It doesn’t shy away from these certain elements; however, many times it’s hardly pulled off as true horror. Characters are often cute like Amumu, the mummy with no friends, or sexy like Illaoi and her ghost tentacles….wait, what? What about Elise and Evelynn? I have no idea what you’re talking about. They’re 3’s at best.

Anyway, that’s why this promo and rework is very exciting. It’s fun to see Riot Games get dark and gritty. We’ve seen fun, cool, sleek, even bubblegum pop. It’s great to see the design team stretch their legs into more scary, which is the very core of Skimbleshanks. Like, for real, it’s one of his most insanely annoying abilities. The only issue is that it NEEDED TO BE LONGER as a promo. Too short, need more boo!s, please. What we got was fantastic, though, and it was refreshing to see a simple horror story well-executed with an appropriate jump-scare.

Zac for reference, aka the s**** demon

Bottom-line:

I still won’t play him because I’m lazy and he’s annoying to play against, but I give this promo and physical rework hearty praise and the new look sends a chill down every spine. Except Zac, because a sentient gob of s**** doesn’t have a spine. Based on trailer alone:

4 out of 5 stars (4 / 5)

When not ravaging through the wilds of Detroit with Jellybeans the Cat, J.M. Brannyk (a.k.a. Boxhuman) reviews mostly supernatural and slasher films from the 70's-90's and is dubiously HauntedMTL's Voice of Reason. Aside from writing, Brannyk dips into the podcasts, and is the composer of many of HauntedMTL's podcast themes.

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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.

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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.

A ghoulish girl looks at the viewer. Below is a combat system. To the right side is the player character stats. To the upper left is the ghoul's stats
What Combat Looks Like in WORLD OF HORROR

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.

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No Longer Human (Junji Ito)
  • 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.

White background, rubber stamp with disclaimer pressed against the white background.
Disclaimer Kimberley Web Design

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.

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Tomie: Complete Deluxe Edition (Junji Ito)
  • 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.

In a dark room, someone observes a spotlight over a telescope.
Selecting your eldritch enemy in Custom Mode.

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 out of 5 stars (4.5 / 5)

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🎮 Eldritch Automata: Exclusive GenCon 2024 Reveal with Nick Francia!

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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.

Eldritch Automata quicklaunch guide with a sinister looking mech warrior on the cover

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

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🎬🎃 House of 1000 Corpses and Halloween II–GAMES!! 🎃🎬 Trick or Treat Studios

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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.

Rob Zombie's House of 1000 Corpses a game of horror. Cover had three evil looking people one of them a clown in a top hat and the other looks like amanda turd, with the middle one looking with a hand reaching out to grab you...spooky!

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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