You‘re a fantastic game reviewer! Indika sounds great and disturbing and the characters so intriguing. Still too scared to try anything horror 😅. The last game reminded me of a horror story I read here on Substack. It’s fantastic, so well written: https://losersflashfiction.substack.com/p/anthology-short-where-god-once-lay
Awesome. Let me know what it's like when you get to it.
Despite not playing much horror, I will say one of the best experiences that had horror-y elements that (for wuss me) were truly scary until I figured out what I was doing, was the Echoes of the Eye DLC for The Outer Wilds. Nrgghhhh incredible.
That game’s been on my list forever! I think the scariest thing I’ve ever experienced in a video game were the first few hours of Bloodborne. Being a powerless scrawny crone in a world of vicious beasts really does a number on you. By the time the cosmic horror elements came into play, my mind was already broken. No further damage could be done.
Indika sounds fascinating! Also enjoy how you pick different kinds of horror here. Conscript especially doesn't immediately sound like horror but I think you're right, for what is more terrifying than war?
These are all amazing recommendations. I'm particularly interested in Indika and Still Wake the Deep now. Don't know if I have time to play them, but I'd like to try them out at least.
Nadia, I'm not a gamer, but your newsletter got me very intrigued. I had to keep reminding myself that these were games, because I would start drifting into the contexts of movies or books. Really enjoyed your descriptions and explanations. And these games all seem so relevant to our current moment, seasonally and beyond — these are some very dark times, indeed!
Thank you so much, Jeffrey! I know gaming is not for everyone, but I was hoping to connect the audience to the human experience and emotions felt during these games, plus what we can learn from them beyond that historically and today.
I don't play video games enough, but these seem very intriguing. I love what you say here about the evolution of horror, and it's true. I look at the movies I grew up with and see how ridiculous they are compared to the ones that show us the horror of humanity. I also note that newer horror books have similar trajectories.
Me too! It may get a bit overwhelming if you are not a fan of stealth, but the story is touching. Indika is definitely a unique experience! Thank you for popping by, Lamar!
I love that show. It’s based on the game. They have some differences which I’m still debating, but overall, I think it’s faithful to the game. And it’s quite emotional and tense at times. Do you like it?
We loved the show. Very well done, very tense, as much as I can stand. I had a lot of trauma as a boy, a lot of violence etc so I tend to stay away from all that stuff.
I’m sorry Weston. That’s awful. That’s understandable. Fortunately there isn’t a lot of gore in the show, and the focus is more on the relationships. But the second season may be a wild one.
Oh cool. Still Wakes The Deep does look good, I have seen video reviews of that, but the others look great too - I shall check them out. I have a small horror gaming channel now as well as my main one (its called @NoobyDooGaming), so I might play one or two of these on there. Fascinating, reviews and I hope all is as well as it can be. :) x
Thankyou so much! I am currently playing through a game called Fort Solis - I started it some weeks ago, but with everything going on here I havent had a chance to continue it yet. I shall be remedying that this weekend, hopefully. As for Still Wakes The Deep, yes - I like the look of that one too, probably give it a go at some point. :)
I love Fort Solis! Well, it hasn’t been well-received, but I still like the storytelling and world building in that one. Are you liking it? They’re planning to make a film.
Yeah, I heard that it hadn't gone down well - I love the mystery of it, its a great little game (if a little glitchy in places, mainly the QTEs and the cut scenes, but thats ok). I didn't realise they were doing a film, but I can see why - kind of a no brainer really, come to think of it. :)
Yeah, its great. I'm a little surprised they haven't patched it to iron out some of the glitches, but as I say - I love it anyway. And yes, can't go wrong with Troy Baker. ;)
"Being exposed to horror so young, it’s no wonder I developed a personal superstition. Before bedtime I would gather my plush toys and make sure they would surround me protectively, especially my back side; for if not, a bogeyman would drag me away." ............. I have a chapter in my upcoming memoir about this very thing!
You‘re a fantastic game reviewer! Indika sounds great and disturbing and the characters so intriguing. Still too scared to try anything horror 😅. The last game reminded me of a horror story I read here on Substack. It’s fantastic, so well written: https://losersflashfiction.substack.com/p/anthology-short-where-god-once-lay
Thank you so much, Claudia! I will check out that story. Indika is the tamest on this list, just thematically outrageous lol.
I had the same impression. It's intriguing though.
Wonderful, Nadia. You know how much I LOVE these posts.
I was just listening to a podcast where they mentioned A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead. Sounds intense.
Have you heard of "FAITH The Unholy Trinity". It's apparently some superb survival horror, despite how it looks!
Thank you so much, Nathan! I am so glad. I did see it on steam. If it is superb, well, I will try it then! Haha!
I have, and it’s made by the guys who created Dusk, one of the best boomer shooters out there. Haven’t played FAITH yet, but plan to.
Awesome. Let me know what it's like when you get to it.
Despite not playing much horror, I will say one of the best experiences that had horror-y elements that (for wuss me) were truly scary until I figured out what I was doing, was the Echoes of the Eye DLC for The Outer Wilds. Nrgghhhh incredible.
That game’s been on my list forever! I think the scariest thing I’ve ever experienced in a video game were the first few hours of Bloodborne. Being a powerless scrawny crone in a world of vicious beasts really does a number on you. By the time the cosmic horror elements came into play, my mind was already broken. No further damage could be done.
That sounds intense. You might like Returnal too.
Indika sounds fascinating! Also enjoy how you pick different kinds of horror here. Conscript especially doesn't immediately sound like horror but I think you're right, for what is more terrifying than war?
Thank you so much! All these games made me so emotional. I like that they are different too. Conscript is actually quite tense.
These are all amazing recommendations. I'm particularly interested in Indika and Still Wake the Deep now. Don't know if I have time to play them, but I'd like to try them out at least.
Thank you so much for reading, Mikhail! Luckily these two games are fairly short, Indika being the shortest.
Nadia, I'm not a gamer, but your newsletter got me very intrigued. I had to keep reminding myself that these were games, because I would start drifting into the contexts of movies or books. Really enjoyed your descriptions and explanations. And these games all seem so relevant to our current moment, seasonally and beyond — these are some very dark times, indeed!
Thank you so much, Jeffrey! I know gaming is not for everyone, but I was hoping to connect the audience to the human experience and emotions felt during these games, plus what we can learn from them beyond that historically and today.
I don't play video games enough, but these seem very intriguing. I love what you say here about the evolution of horror, and it's true. I look at the movies I grew up with and see how ridiculous they are compared to the ones that show us the horror of humanity. I also note that newer horror books have similar trajectories.
That’s so fascinating. I have a bit less experience with horror books, but that’s interesting that the genre has evolved as well.
I have not played any of these but rly want to try Indika and quiet place since Im a fan of the movies!
Me too! It may get a bit overwhelming if you are not a fan of stealth, but the story is touching. Indika is definitely a unique experience! Thank you for popping by, Lamar!
I enjoy stealth from time to time. Metal Gear is one of my fave game franchises! So gonna give this a try
Let me know your thoughts!!
Do not tempt me! I have my shoes on now in Disco Elysium, but no, I must resist. Must finish my draft. Excellent titles, though.
Hahaha. You finally found your shoes! Thank you amigo.
Nadia, my wife and I, along with our 32 year old son, watched The Last Of Us. That's about as scary as I can handle. What did you think of it?
I love that show. It’s based on the game. They have some differences which I’m still debating, but overall, I think it’s faithful to the game. And it’s quite emotional and tense at times. Do you like it?
We loved the show. Very well done, very tense, as much as I can stand. I had a lot of trauma as a boy, a lot of violence etc so I tend to stay away from all that stuff.
I’m sorry Weston. That’s awful. That’s understandable. Fortunately there isn’t a lot of gore in the show, and the focus is more on the relationships. But the second season may be a wild one.
I'll have my son preview it for me. Thanks
Hugs
You bring these games to life, my friend. It’s not my genre, and still I was intrigued, especially with Indika.
Thank you so much dear! 💞
We were just talking about Tales from the Darkside in Comments on another post! :)
What a coincidence! ❤️
Oh cool. Still Wakes The Deep does look good, I have seen video reviews of that, but the others look great too - I shall check them out. I have a small horror gaming channel now as well as my main one (its called @NoobyDooGaming), so I might play one or two of these on there. Fascinating, reviews and I hope all is as well as it can be. :) x
Thanks Peter! I will check out your channel. I think you might like Still Wakes The Deep!
Thankyou so much! I am currently playing through a game called Fort Solis - I started it some weeks ago, but with everything going on here I havent had a chance to continue it yet. I shall be remedying that this weekend, hopefully. As for Still Wakes The Deep, yes - I like the look of that one too, probably give it a go at some point. :)
I love Fort Solis! Well, it hasn’t been well-received, but I still like the storytelling and world building in that one. Are you liking it? They’re planning to make a film.
Yeah, I heard that it hadn't gone down well - I love the mystery of it, its a great little game (if a little glitchy in places, mainly the QTEs and the cut scenes, but thats ok). I didn't realise they were doing a film, but I can see why - kind of a no brainer really, come to think of it. :)
I think it will probably go very well as a film too. I don’t care, I still love it! Plus anything with Troy Baker, I’ll play it. Hah.
Yeah, its great. I'm a little surprised they haven't patched it to iron out some of the glitches, but as I say - I love it anyway. And yes, can't go wrong with Troy Baker. ;)
Fantastic post! I didn’t know about any of these, but Conscript and Still Wakes The Deep sound amazing! Will check them out.
Thank you, Andrei! I think you will like these.
It’s a genre I know nothing about! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Priya! 💖
"Being exposed to horror so young, it’s no wonder I developed a personal superstition. Before bedtime I would gather my plush toys and make sure they would surround me protectively, especially my back side; for if not, a bogeyman would drag me away." ............. I have a chapter in my upcoming memoir about this very thing!
Wow! Uncanny!