Thần Trùng (The Death) Game Review
The widely anticipated Thần Trùng released on September 14th to much fanfare and for good reason. DUT Studio, comprised of only three people, has made waves by releasing one of the very first Vietnamese horror games in English. And for fans of the genre, it’s a refreshing change of environment even if its premise feels familiar.
Thần Trùng has you playing as a young man who wants to rent a room in a house that is reputedly haunted. But as we approach the house, complete strangers warn you not to go. You even have surreal, hellish visions at the house’s gate, which should be an ample warning that renting here might be a bad idea.
But when it comes to horror game protagonists, logic flies right out the window. You march right in, and the nightmare begins.
The scares begin immediately. A woman stands in a scarlet-lit doorway, her shadow twitching along the floor. Get too close and she’ll slam it in the face before you can get a good look at her. But don’t be disappointed. By the end of the first chapter, you’ll probably be desensitized to the amount of jump scares that Thần Trùng has to offer. There are so many that at certain moments, it almost becomes tedious. But if you decide to push through, the jump scares drop off significantly by mid-game, and there’s a significant shift towards unraveling the house’s mystery.
| If you like this you might like: The Bathhouse Game Review
You’ll spend a significant amount of time stuck in this house, looking for items like dolls and human teeth. But the best parts of this game is its environment, which had so much care put into its finer details. The jump scares broke my immersion half a dozen times, but the beautifully rendered rooms brought me right back in. There are even some moments where the game is beautiful, in a nightmarish sort of way. It’s such a wonderful change of pace from the generic, poorly decorated houses that dominate this subgenre of horror games.
There are also ample notes scattered around the house that you’ll find as you search for items. These notes are the cornerstone for unraveling the house’s mystery and the game’s plot. These notes aren’t just scattered journal entries. They’re receipts, legal documents, family trees, etc. which is so much more immersive and speaks to the level of detail and love the developers put into this game. It felt like the family who once lived in this house were real people, and that’s fantastic storytelling.
That being said, the translations aren’t perfect. But it’s an indie developer and a small team, and everything is understandable. There are moments where things are a little confusing and some of the dialogue feels stilted. But that’s a very minor part of the game.
You’ll likely finish the game in 2 to 4 hours, which isn’t bad for a price tag of $5.99. And while the pacing with regards to scares could use some serious work, the game gets better as it goes, culminating in some truly beautiful visuals and a story that you can engross yourself in. DUT Studio has talent and potential in spades. I’ve no doubt that if they keep going they’ll command the same cult following that Chilla’s Art has.
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!!!
-
Movies n TV3 days agoLittle Shop of Horrors – Musical Madness Review
-
Original Creations6 days ago
Haunted – A Chilling Paranormal Story by Robert Howell
-
Movies n TV4 days ago
Dexter Original Sin Fender Bender, The Perfect Mix of Comedy and Sadness
-
Movies n TV4 hours ago
Street Trash: A Mind-Melting Masterpiece of Mayhem
