She’s here!! Sadako Rising is live on Dead by Daylight. Despite dropping on console at 2am, I dutifully took to the frontlines to play her.
But first, can we take a moment to appreciate Sadako’s (aka The Onryo aka Oreo) legendary skin, Rotten Remains? There was ample speculation about what it was going to be, but the devs hit the perfect gruesome note with this one.
Rotten Remains is a reference to Sadako’s discovered body at the end of the first movie. And, honestly, it’s terrifying.
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I jumped into a survivor game, cautiously hopefuly that I’d be paired against Dead by Daylight’s first short killer. 2 am is a notoriously difficult time to get a game of Dead by Daylight in Korea.
But you know who also came to servers? The Nurse. ):< What type of person plays Nurse when there’s a new chapter out? And what’s worse is that nurses was all I got until 4 am.
Finally, sleep-deprived and barely hanging on, I was paired against my favorite spooky little ghost girl on Léry’s Memorial Institute, the perfect map for a stealth killer. And while Sadako has had a few buffs between the player test base and live, she’s still a killer that has to rely on map knowledge and survivor psychology to land those satisfying “curse” hits.
Honestly, the small adjustments between PTB and live didn’t feel very noticeable to me, while playing both survivor and killer. But there’s joy to be found in using an undetectable build and absolutely scaring the hell out of survivors in low elo games.
But I can’t say I’m not disappointed with the “tape” gimmick of her kit. Survivors can get “Condemned” stacks when they’re near televisions you crawl out of as Sadako, and if they hit 7 stacks you can kill them once you down them. But lowering this status as a survivor is as easy as dropping off a tape at blockbuster.
I don’t care if that reference dates me.
The Condemned system is something I foresee getting a buff in the future, because even with addons it’s hard to get survivors to that state.
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Still, she’s the most terrifying killer to date, and while I doubt she’s landing on anyone’s S-tier list, she’s fun to play if you’re in it to scare, not kill.
Final Verdict
Personaly, I’ve been looking forward to Sadako Rising going live. I love Sadako, and I think she’s an excellent edition to DBD’s entourage of unique, star-studded killers. The marriage between DBD mechanics and her character was executed perfectly, and while she’s not strong, she’s fun and terrifying to play against. And that’s what games are all about.
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.
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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.
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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)
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!!!