Between fantastic remakes of Dead Space and Resident Evil 4, the unrelenting tension of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and the unseen terror of Killer Frequency, 2023 has been a pretty solid year for horror game fans. But what lies ahead during the spookiest of months and beyond? Brand-new dives into deadly experiences that'll leave your palms sweaty, as indie game developers are busy cranking up the fear factor to 11 with a selection of titles that'll make you think twice about turning the lights off.
As part of the Indie Horror Showcase, a collaboration between DreadXP, HorrorVisuals, and The Mix, developers from smaller studios got a chance to shine across more than an hour of bloodcurdling trailers, announcements, and reveals. A healthy mix of retro-flavored games, quirky dark comedies, and impressively vicious visuals, the Indie Horror Showcase was a showcase of what studios across the world are up to. Several of the games featured in the stream even have demos available, and you can expect many of the titles to release later in 2024.
We've highlighted some of the best games from the livestream, which range from love letters of the clunky PS1 era of survival-horrors to deceptively cute pet-raising simulators, horror games that flex artistic muscle using nothing but MS Paint, and found-footage suspense that looks like it can give the Blair Witch Project a run for its money.. In case you missed the livestream, you can catch up below in the embedded video or sit back and relax with this YouTube link.
And don't worry, there's definitely nothing lurking behind you right now.
Creepshow
The Creep is back, and we're not talking about Radiohead! Fans of the '80s might remember the anthology horror movie Creepshow, which was recently revived as a TV show on Shudder, and now, the IP is taking a stab at a video game adaptation. While details are slim, what we do know is that the spooky experts at DreadXP will be handling development on this title. Like its source material, the Creepshow game will feature multiple self-contained horror stories spread across different gameplay types and genres.
Sorry We're Closed
A love letter to the PS1 era of survival-horror games, Sorry We're Closed puts you in the boots of Michelle as she battles to break the curse placed on her by a powerful demon looking for love. For fans of horror games with a retro influence, there's plenty to love here, as Sorry We're Closed features fixed camera angles, inventory management, and lo-fi aesthetics as you explore both the human and demon realms. Michelle isn't defenseless against the demons that she'll encounter when she's in their world, as she can slip between dimensions using the power of her third eye. Use it properly, and you'll pinpoint weak spots that can be broken with her axe or pistol. Arriving later in 2024, a demo is now available.
Janet DeMornay Is A Slumlord (And A Witch)
Australian horror normally mixes in some dark humor between its more gruesome content, and in Janet DeMornay Is A Slumlord (And A Witch), you'll find a game that puts its own unique spin on horror-comedy. Set in an inner-Sydney terrace house, JDM is a first-person and story-driven horror game with puzzles revolving around some of the strange tenants that DeMornay has to deal with in a queer share-house. Developer Fuzzy Ghost says that the game pulls inspiration from '80s classics Beetlejuice and Poltergeist and mixes them in with the true terror of The Real Housewives of Sydney and legal loopholes for landlords.
Plastomorphosis
Welcome to Modern-City, the self-proclaimed safest metropolis around! Or it would be, if the city didn't have an infestation of bloodthirsty mannequins and chainsaw-wielding killers running loose. Inspired by classic games of a bygone era, Plastomorphosis is a third-person survival-horror game with fixed camera angles and retro-styled graphics. As a new resident in Modern-City, you'll need to solve various puzzles, stay a step ahead of the killers on the streets, and survive a series of events in this twisted reality. If you're interested, a demo is available now on PC via Steam.
World of Horror
Inspired by the disturbing works of manga legend Junji Ito, World of Horror is fresh out of Steam early access and ready to raise some terror. Described as a one-bit love letter to Ito and the works of HP Lovecraft, this horror-RPG takes players to the town of Shiokawa and tasks them with surviving a cruel gauntlet of battles and challenges against the machinations of the Old Gods. You'll have to navigate a monochrome reality--that has been drawn entirely in MS Paint--that is slowly unraveling, uncover disturbing clues, and solve puzzles across multiple randomized mysteries if you can survive long enough.
Teleforum
Out today, Teleforum is a found-footage-style horror game that explores the unknown and darker side of media. After journalist Walter Martins commits suicide during the broadcast of the Teleforum TV program, you turn up to his residence to interview his widow and uncover the truth about his shocking death in a game that is designed to look like it was ripped straight from a VHS tape. As the reporter, you'll need to explore uncomfortable questions without sending Martins' wife over the edge, while as the cameraman recording this interview, you'll explore the surroundings to get to the bottom of this mystery.
More Than One Way
Hackencarve, a seemingly idyllic town in More Than One Way, seems like a nice place to explore and reclaim your forgotten identity if you don't mind the homicidal residents. In this first-person game, you'll explore dark streets and abandoned buildings, uncover the secrets, and face your fears. You'll also encounter a variety of characters, each with their own stories and secrets that they'll work to keep hidden at any cost. With a little bit of cunning and intuition, you can survive lethal interactions and uncover a complex web of relationships in this dark tale.
Repose
How terrifying can a game be when it's visually crafted with mere black and white pixels? The answer is very, as Repose uses its monochromatic art direction to create striking designs in a world of sci-fi horror. A mix of traditional CRPG mechanics, puzzles, and detailed environments, this maze of menacing space station danger is the latest project from Out of the Blue developer Attila Bertold Bozó.
Lum's Game
Lum's Game looks deceptively cute, almost as if it was plucked from a Wholesome Games stream. It has all the hallmarks of a cozy adventure, as you'll take care of a strange pet named Lum, help a mom out in the garden, give the dad a hand in the kitchen, uncover horrifying family secrets in your dreams. Fine, it's not that wholesome, because once night falls,you'll have to deal with strange and scary dreams that look like the nightmarish scribbles of a dark force. Just remember to always keep Lum happy. Always.
Tamarindos Freaking Dinner
And now for something completely different to sink your teeth into. Tamarindo's Freaking Dinner, a '90s horror sitcom that looks like Rocko's Modern Life if it were directed by Tim Burton, is set in a strange mansion where the residents can't wait to have you over for dinner. Quite literally in fact, as you'll need to escape the inhabitants before you get served up to them. Featuring a time cycle system inspired by Majora's Mask, you’ve got 105 minutes to learn about the local cannibals, explore more than 50 rooms, and outwit the cannibals in this darkly comedic adventure. There are more than 25 endings to uncover in a game that looks like Maniac Mansion with an extra serving of murder.
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