Each year the game industry promises and each year it falls short of its promises. Sometimes the game comes out broken and needs major updates just to run correctly. Sometimes the features we were promised just aren’t delivered in the finished product. Or the game suffers from setbacks and delays.
And then there are the words every gamer dreads...Cancelled. I’m looking at you Silent Hills P.T. Yes, I’m still quite bitter about that. And don’t even get me started on what happened with the release of Fatal Frame IV: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse.
So, I’ve compiled a list of the horror games that were announced for 2016 and where they stand now. The bigger companies usually get their games out when promised but that’s only because they have the funding while indie developers depend on Kickstarter , pre-orders and backers. So, sometimes they fall a bit behind but, most of the time, the finished product is worth the wait.
What We Expected, What We Got (and What Got Pushed Back) in Horror Games
WHAT WE GOT
Friday the 13th: The Game (PC, PS4, Xbox One)
Release Date Reported: Fall 2016
Current Status: The Beta test was released in the Fall of 2016. Full Release will be in Early 2017, with Single-player coming in Summer of 2017
“For the first time since 1989, you have the opportunity to help bring a Friday the 13th video game to life! Stalk camp counselors across Crystal Lake as Jason Voorhees, or assume the role of a helpless camper and attempt to survive the night.”
From the Official Site – https://friday-the-13th-the-game.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders
Random Musings: I haven’t heard any direct reviews yet but I believe there are Betas live-steaming on Twitch and probably some YouTube Let’s Plays. I’m really hoping for this game to be successful because it may open the doors for a Halloween game and A Nightmare on Elm Street (which, technically, they do have games attached to them which I’ll bring up in a later post *shudder* ). But this will be a good time to bring out some very good games attached to them. A Nightmare on Elm Street, in particular, would make for some very interesting dream sequences. But only if Robert Englund were to do the voice-work. Sorry Jackie, there’s only one Freddy.
Layers Of Fear (PC, PS4, Xbox One)
Release Date Reported: Early Spring 2017. It was on Steam Early Access and Xbox Preview Program with an expected release date in Q4.
Current Status: Currently finished and available for purchase on all three formats. A DLC has also been released and is available for purchase
“Delve deep into the mind of an insane painter and discover the secret of his madness, as you explore a vast and constantly changing Victorian-era mansion. Uncover the visions, fears and horrors that entwine the painter and finish the masterpiece he has strived so long to create.
- Psychedelic horror – A sense of insanity means each turn of the camera may completely change the look of your surroundings.
- Victorian setting – Explore a game world inspired by masterpiece paintings, architecture and décor from the 19th century.
- Original and classic art – Numerous pieces of original art and music flesh out the story and environment.
- Story-focused exploration – Only through exploring the environment can you uncover the details of the painter’s dark and tragic past.”
From the Official Site – http://layersoffear.com/main.html
Random Musings: I was surprised that I hadn’t heard of Layers of Fear until making this list since it seems to have a lot of things I look for in a horror game. Atmosphere, story, psychological twists and turns and creepy paintings. I’ll also add that it is on Steam for sale (until January 2nd 2017), both the single game and the game with the Layers of Fear: Inheritance DLC bundled together. So far the reviews have a Steam rating of Very Positive. You’ll probably be getting a review from me in the near future here on Sci-Fi and Scary because it is now sitting in my cart, waiting for purchase tomorrow.
Resident Evil Zero HD Remaster (PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One)
Reported Release Date: January 19th, 2016
Current Status: Has been released on all systems listed above
“Soon after the release of the highly praised 2002 Resident Evil remake on GameCube,
Resident Evil 0 was released as a prequel to the series,
utilizing the same pre-rendered graphical style to create an incredible fear-inducing atmosphere
Now it’s back and even scarier with today’s modern technology in this beautiful, HD transformation!
Just like the recent Resident Evil HD release, this HD version of Resident Evil 0 will have wide-screen support,
new controls, better sound, and, of course, upgraded graphics.
So if you haven’t yet had a chance to see what happened before the mansion incident,
this is the best time to find out.”
From the Official Site – http://www.capcom.co.jp/bio0hd/en/index.html?la=en
Random Musings: One thing I was very pleased to see was that it was going to be released on the older systems (PS3 and Xbox 360). Usually the companies focus solely on the newer consoles, especially after more than a year or two of the newer ones being released. So it’s nice to see the older consoles get a little love.
We Happy Few (PC, Xbox One)
Reported Release Date: June 2016
Current Status: Available on both platforms
“We Happy Few is the tale of a plucky bunch of moderately terrible people trying to escape from a lifetime of cheerful denial. Set in a drug-fuelled, retro-futuristic city in an alternative 1960s England, you’ll have to blend in with its other inhabitants, who have their own set of not-so-normal rules.”
From the Official Site – http://compulsiongames.com/en/10/we-happy-few
Random Musings: My son has played it and really likes it. He says it’s creepy with a lot of places to explore and many side quests which gives it added playability. I plan on playing it myself, soon. When I do I’ll give you guys a full review.
What Remains of Edith Finch? (PS4, PC)
Reported Release Date: 2016
Current Status: Out now on PS4 and has a release date on Steam for 2017.
“What Remains of Edith Finch is a collection of short stories about a cursed family in Washington State.
Each story offers a chance to experience the life of a different family member with stories ranging from the early 1900s to the present day. The gameplay and tone of the stories are as varied as the family members themselves. The only constants are that each is played from a first-person perspective and that each story ends with that family member’s death. It’s a game about what it feels like to be humbled and astonished by the vast and unknowable world around us.
You’ll follow Edith Finch as she explores the history of her family and tries to figure out why she’s the last Finch left alive.”
From the Official Site – http://www.giantsparrow.com/games/finch/
Random Musings: Since I don’t have a PS4 I’ll have to wait for the Steam edition to come out but again, this looks like an interesting game with an interesting storyline. It almost doesn’t even sound like horror (except for the family being cursed bit) but I think exploring the different eras will be very cool.
WHAT WE CAN EXPECT THIS COMING YEAR
OVERKILL’S The Walking Dead (PC, PS4, Xbox One)
Reported Release Date: Quarter 4 2016
Current Status: In Production with a To Be Released as Quarter 4 2017
“OVERKILL’s The Walking Dead is a co-op first person shooter with elements of action, role-playing, survival horror and stealth, that invites players to explore the hugely popular The Walking Dead universe, where they will play the role of survivors fending for themselves in a post-apocalyptic world dominated by flesh-eating walkers. In 2016 Washington will fall – what will you do?”
From the Official Site – https://www.starbreeze.com/games/overkills-the-walking-dead/
Random Musings: Apparently they are also coming out with a VR adaptation so that might be an exciting feature to look forward to. I honestly can’t comment too much on The Walking Dead games because I don’t watch the show and I’ve only played The Walking Dead: Season One which is a more choice-based narrative game.
Routine (PC)
Reported Release Date: 2016
Current Status: Still in development but with a release date of March 2017
“Routine is a First Person Horror Exploration game set on an abandoned Moon Base.”
From the Steam page – http://steamcommunity.com/workshop/filedetails/discussion/92985806/276237094306924228/
Random Musings: Apparently this has been in development for quite a while but it now has a fixed release date. It looks interesting and I’ll certainly be keeping an eye on it.
Perception (PC)
Reported Release Date: June 2016
Current Status: Currently taking pre-orders and Steam has it listed as TBD.
“Crafted by a team of veteran PC and console developers (BioShock, BioShock Infinite, Dead Space), Perception offers a bold and fresh take on first person narrative games.
- “See” using echolocation. Every sound creates a visual.
- Engage in a deadly game of hide and seek with relentless enemies, including The Presence.
- Trigger radical change at the Estate at Echo Bluff each time you solve its mysteries.
- Travel back through history to exorcise your own nightmares.
Perception is a first-person narrative horror adventure that tells the story of Cassie, a blind heroine who uses her extraordinary hearing and razor-sharp wits to unravel the mysteries of an abandoned estate that haunts her dreams.”
From the Official Site – I’m going to link to two places on the site, one where you can watch trailers (http://www.thedeependgames.com/perception/ )and the other to the pre-order page (http://www.thedeependgames.com/)
Random Musings: Another game I am highly interested in playing. It seems like a very unique idea and I can’t wait to see how it works in action. With some heavy hitters behind it I think it has definite potential to be a great game. The site says they are also going to try to bring it to the PS4 and the Xbox One which will be a plus for console owners. Also, the reason I linked the pre-order page is that besides the usual digital and physical copies of the game being available for pre-order there are also some other items like t-shirts (which are pretty cool looking) an art book and more.
WHAT WE’RE HOPING TO SEE
Allison Road: (PC)
Release Date Reported: October 2016
Current Status: TBD
“In Allison Road you will take on the role of the unnamed protagonist, who wakes up one day without any recollection of prior events. Over the course of five nights it is your objective to uncover the whereabouts of your family, unravel the mysteries of the house, and face off against Lily and other dark entities that are nested deep within its walls, while the clock is relentlessly ticking towards 3:00am.
What would you do if you could feel something stalking you in the dark in the safety of your own home? If you couldn’t tell what’s real and what’s not?
The single-player campaign will mostly take place in one British townhouse.
Your British townhouse.”
From the Official Site – http://www.allisonroadgame.com/
Random Musings: Allison Road was rumored to be the spiritual successor of Silent Hills P.T. so you can imagine how excited I was when I first heard about it. And also my disappointment to hear that the date is now TBD. Here’s hoping we’ll be seeing it soon in 2017.
Outlast 2 (PC, PS4, Xbox One)
Reported Release Date: Fall 2016
Current Status: In Development
“You are Blake Langermann, a cameraman working with your wife, Lynn. The two of you are investigative journalists willing to take risks and dig deep to uncover the stories no one else will dare touch. You’re following a trail of clues that started with the seemingly impossible murder of a pregnant woman known only as Jane Doe. The investigation has lead you miles into the Arizona desert, to a darkness so deep that no one could shed light upon it, and a corruption so profound that going mad may be the only sane thing to do.”
From the Official Site – http://www.redbarrelsgames.com/games/outlast-2/
Random Musings: The follow-up game to the very popular Outlast game by designers Red Barrels. The only release date given on Steam is 2017. I’m actually good with waiting as long as the game reflects the time put into it was justified. And it will give the people who haven’t played Outlast yet *cough*me*cough* a chance to play it.
The 13th Doll (PC)
This is just an add-on I thought you might find interesting. It’s been in production for a while now and looks like it might actually be close to being released. They are taking pre-orders in different categories from $15.00 to $150.00. The $15.00 package is for a code for a digital download of the game. The $150.00 package includes code for a digital copy of The 13th Doll, your name on the backer’s section of the site, a digital download of The 13th Doll soundtrack, a digital copy of the exclusive art book for The 13th Doll, your name in the credits of the game, access to early release builds of the game during development, a physical box copy of The 13th Doll, and a physical copy of the exclusive 13th Doll art book. There are varying packages at different prices with different exclusive items.
“In the 7th Guest, evil toymaker Henry Stauf built a mansion, and invited 6 guests. A 7th Guest, Tad, snuck in and was trapped there, afflicted by mystifying spirits, dolls and the ghosts of the other guests – until he defeated Stauf.
The 13th Doll ties in with the events of The 7th Guest. A decade after Tad managed to escape the mansion, he is still haunted by the souls, dolls, and Stauf’s victims he left behind. So haunted, in fact, that the young man now resides in a mental institution – misunderstood, plagued by guilt and obsessed with one idea: to escape the dreary padded walls of his asylum cell, return to the mansion – the site of his innermost fears – to rescue those he left behind and defeat Stauf once and for all!
Soon, a new doctor by the name of Richmond arrives in the asylum. Naïve to the legacy of Henry Stauf, and equally bewildered and intrigued by the fantastic legend, the staunch rationalist plans to take Tad on a cathartic trip back to the mansion.
This unconventional therapy attempt rapidly turns into a fateful journey, unravelling Tad and Richmond’s contrasting worldviews and leading the unlikely duo straight into a horrifying vortex of lies, illusions, lunacy and death. And soon a blood-curdling question arises: Have the two visitors really made their way to Stauf’s harrowing home on their own accord or are they mere pawns in a much grander, inescapable scheme?”
From the Official Site – http://the13thdoll.com/index.php
Random Musings: I’ve been following this game off and on because I loved The 7th Guest (I have yet to play The 11th Hour) and I’m excited to see that it’s getting closer to being released. There was a public showing in September of 2016 that was well received. It’s an unofficial sequel in a way but an unofficial sequel that has the blessings of the original creators. I’ll be keeping a close eye on this one and, if you haven’t yet, I encourage you to play The 7th Guest and The 11th Hour. Particularly if you like heavily puzzle based games. They can be found on Steam bundled together for a very reasonable price.
That’s all for my list. I’ll keep an eye on any updates and new announcements as they come. If I’ve missed a game that you guys know about or I got some info wrong don’t hesitate to let me know. I realized that I mention Steam a lot in my gaming posts so I just want to assure you that I do not have any affiliation with them (besides them owning a large chunk of my bank account now) other than being a gamer and so many horror titles being available on there. I am also not affiliated with any of the game companies mentioned above in any kind of way.
It will be exciting to see what’s to come in 2017.
