War horror… War has always been horrifying. World War I was devastating beyond question. It changed how we engage in both the glory and atrocity of conflict from that point forward. This review revisits The Grizzled game which I reviewed previously on Haunted MTL here, as well as looking at the movie 1917. I am considering both because I feel the game and movie mimic one another in ways and because having reviewed the base game I won’t go a lot into game play on this one.
The Grizzled Armistice Edition is a quasi-campaign tabletop game based upon The Grizzled. Unlike full-form campaign tabletop games, there isn’t a map or cards that are altered per se. But you do keep score and whether or not you win does impact following games by giving you different payoffs to cash in on later. And the campaign edition embellishes upon the expansions from the previous edition and has some beautifully rendered 3D figurines of the beloved friends.
I really like the added complexity of the expansions with the Orders of the Day and Recruits. I also like how the game has been broken down into chapters to touch upon actual battles that took place, conveying the war horror and challenges associated with each.
The Grizzled Armistice Edition view of one of the recruits in play
The Grizzled Armistice Edition locks in at 4.5 Cthulus (same as the original) because it amplifies the original concept well while maintaining much of what made that great.
(4.5 / 5)
The movie 1917 is war horror at its finest. The cinematography is stunning and visually engaging and the first person narrative enlarges the horrific aspects of the situation. The film has been aptly described as hauntingly beautiful. The emotions conveyed are visceral and you feel as though you are actually there, thrust into the middle of it all. Or are you? The sense of time passing, as if the movie was shot in one take instead of numerous cut scenes as per usual, adds a sort of dreamlike surreal quality that makes you question the very reality you have been thrust into. The result is true horror material, much more so than other war films I have seen.
1917 movie still
The plot is somewhat minimal. We follow British Lance Corporals William Schofield and Tom Blake as they traverse all sorts of hostile territory in order to deliver a message to Colonel Mackenzie of the 2nd Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment. I won’t go into more detail so as to not spoil it, but everything that happens in the movie follows this message to its final conclusion. Although some people may find this kind of limiting, I actually appreciated how the hyperfocus conveys a sense of urgency and immediacy to the situation at hand as well as imbuing a sense of both monumentality and insignificance to the war horror depicted.
1917 movie still
I give 1917 4.0 Cthulus. Parts of it are a little slow comparatively and it doesn’t always follow in ways that make sense, which lends to some of the surreal quality but also creates confusion. All in all, it is a stunning film and well worth watching.
(4 / 5)
Both The Grizzled Armistice Edition campaign and 1917 the movie convey war horror at its finest. Both build upon relationships and emotions in immersive settings where you feel you have limited control over how things develop around you. Essentially, you are adrift in the midst of the circumstances, whether trying to come out of it alive with all your friends or delivering an important message across great obstacles. You can totally envision 1917 while playing The Grizzled and vice versa.
If you want to immerse yourself in the war horror experience at its finest, you can find The Grizzled Armistice Edition and 1917 the movie on Amazon here at the links below. Remember, as an Amazon affiliate, we get some $ back from purchases if you buy from any of our links, so Cthulu says shop away…
Jennifer Weigel is a multi-disciplinary mixed media conceptual artist residing in Kansas USA. Weigel utilizes a wide range of media to convey her ideas, including assemblage, drawing, fibers, installation, jewelry, painting, performance, photography, sculpture, video and writing. You can find more of her work at:
https://www.jenniferweigelart.com/
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 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.
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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.
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.
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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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 / 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!!!