The Excavation of Hob’s Barrow Review
Thomasina Bateman is determined to follow her father’s legacy. Even if it means delving deep into the forbidden earth of Hob’s Barrow.
Released on September 28, The Excavation of Hob’s Barrow is a folk horror point and click adventure game, set in the moors of rural Victorian England. You follow Thomasina Bateman, an antiquarian and barrow digger.
The Excavation of Hob’s Barrow story unravels slowly with the vast majority of the horror revealed in the small tragedies that pockmark human life. Thomasina begins her journey as a stranger in a small town. But in her single-minded pursuit of learning and gaining access to the elusive Hob’s Barrow she slowly unravels the lives of those who occupy the town and delves into her own past, which has set her on the road to becoming a barrow-digger. These private, tight-lipped people are all well-fleshed out characters with their own personalities and motivations and they give a certain life to the brown-stone village and the desolate moors.
The highlight of the game is certainly thawing out the cold exteriors of the villagers until they greet you warmly through the days. But the game is marked by a certain mystery. The locals refuse to answer any questions about Hob’s Barrow, and what information you do gain comes at great effort.
But as you delve deeper, you learn about the history of the town, and the subtle undercurrent of something distinctly supernatural. Even as Thomasina grows closer and fonder of the villagers, something feels amiss. As if perhaps you’re in the midst of a conspiracy that everyone knows about but you.
| If you like this you might enjoy this board game: Unlock: The House on the Hill
Unfortunately, Thomasina doesn’t seem to see the writing on the wall. There’s backstory aplenty as to why she’s so stubborn (if not utterly obtuse) but it’s frustrating to have no choice in how the story unfolds. Which is a shame, because otherwise Thomasina is actually a very likable, fully developed character, full of determination and wit.
But in terms of gameplay, it’s an excellent point and click game. It rarely feels convoluted, though there are certainly moments where it can be a slog or where you might need to take some time to think. The weaving of character development that accompanies these quests tempered this feeling. But during the final hour or so, the game goes from your average point and click to a fairly challenging puzzle game. And even better, it fully delves into the horror we’ve been promised. The ending segment alone is worth playing the game for, as it melds familiar imagery with moments that are completely unique and fascinating, all while drenched in a very otherworldly purple.
If you enjoy point and click games, puzzles, mysteries, and a story that is Lovecraftian in both its pacing, environment, and themes, you’ll likely enjoy The Excavation of Hob’s Barrow. There’s at least 5–6 hours of content, depending on how adept you are at point and click games, and it’s well worth the $15 price tag. Find it here on Steam.
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 agoThriller Nite, Poem by Jennifer Weigel Plus
-
Original Creations6 days ago
The Fire Within – A Chilling Tale of Revenge and Power by Jeff Enos
-
Movies n TV2 days ago
Goosebumps, Stay Out Of The Basement Pt 2, could have just been one part
-
Editorial13 hours ago
Fireside Chat 2025: Apparently I Don’t Exist
