These next reviews were written by friends of mine as I never had a chance to play them (except Resident Evil (’15). I will tag their Instagram profiles so you can check them out if you would like. I thought it would be pretty cool to have a different opinions and view points on this article. So without further ado let’s get to the reviews.
Night 11
Reviewed by kingp_icon79 over on Instagram
Title Eternal Darkness
System Played On – GameCube
Horror Sub Genre – Psychological Horror
Developed by Silicon Knights
Published by Nintendo
Released – 2002
Overall Rating 10 out of 10
Insanity Meter 10 out of 10
In the year 2000, college student Alexandra Roivas is called back to her grandfather’s mansion when she discovers he has been horribly murdered. During her search for answers, she comes across the Tome of Eternal Darkness, a demonic book that describes the fate of all those who came across it.
This one here will test your sanity literally and in some cases figuratively. You start the game as Alexandra who goes to the mansion of her grandfather who was recently murdered, soon she finds a book with stories of her ancestors, the player plays through each chapter as a different ancestor of the Rovias family. Here’s the kicker, within the game there is something called “The Insanity Meter”.
Let one of those creatures put a gaze on you and it will drain a bit of your sanity. The lower the sanity meter gets the more it will drive not only the character in the chapter and Alexandra insane with all the mind binding things going on, it might just drive the players bonkers too. Those game designers were fiendishly clever, I’m not going to say what happens that would spoil the fun, don’t even look it up, by any means you can give this a game a try, #LateNightNoLights and it’s a game truly ahead of it’s time.
Night 12
Reviewed by a “Ghost”
Title Blair Witch
System Played On – XBox One X
Horror Sub Genre – Survival Horror
Developed by Bloober Team
Published by Lionsgate Games
Released – 2019
Overall Rating 5 out of 10
Witch Meter 10 out of 10
The game is set two years after the events of the 1999 film “The Blair Witch Project” which takes place in 1994. The game follows former police officer Ellis Lynch as he joins the search in Black Hills Forest for a missing boy.
The words Blair and Witch used together are enough to invoke a decent amount of horror to wash over your spine. So, did they deliver a Halloween romper stomper. The answer is rather terrifying.
This game is just like going for a walk in the woods. At first you’re excited to be out of the house and being one with nature. Then before you know it the trees all look the same, and you cant wait to go back home. Fitting that Blair Witch has you wandering aimlessly in the woods. But you cant go home. You can quit playing which is the smart move. This game is a walking sim, with the emphasis on walking. There is a dog following you and fetching important items, but that only happens when the game mercilessly lets you progress to the next portion. It’s dark and hard to see at times, and getting lost in the woods is to be expected which is more frustrating than scary.
The level of dread is low and the story had to have been written by a kid in grade 4. The protagonist is so uninteresting that I was rooting for whatever the bad guys were pretty early on. Yes there are enemies, but just shine your flash light on them and they go away. Bad monster, it’s only a little light! I feel that jump scares in horror games are like adding lemon juice to a delicious sauce: a couple well timed drops and the dish is balanced nicely, too much and the whole thing turns sour. This game managed to get it right, the jump scares are rare and spaced apart. Unfortunately the game isn’t scary and doesnt make much sense. I must admit that 5 minutes of the last half hour were genuinely creepy and well crafted in the style of horror. Too bad that it outstayed it’s welcome. Perhaps the whole game was built to house those good 5 mins. Get it? House. Of course you don’t, but the scene took place in a house. Now do you get it? Don’t play this one unless you’re planning on falling asleep early on Halloween.
Night 13
Reviewed by finnstagamer over on Instagram
Title Resident Evil (’15)
System Played On – XBox One X
Horror Sub Genre – Survival Horror
Developed by #Capcom
Published by Capcom
Released – 2015
Overall Rating 7 out of 10
Zombie Meter 10 out of 10
Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine, members of an elite task force known as S.T.A.R.S. investigate the outskirts of Raccoon City following the disappearance of their team members.
This modern reimagining of a 1996 classic, released 19 years after its predecessor is just the latest in a handful of iterations including the 2002 remake and ‘deadly silence’. The HD remaster manages to retain the survival horror tropes that made the original games so damn terrifying while throwing fresh new features into the mix. Puzzle solving downtime partnered with eerie, desolate hallways are harshly interjected with terrifyingly placed enemies to unforgivingly jolt you into panicked action.
While movement has been made slightly smoother, the same static camera angles and awkward ‘stop moving to shoot’ mechanics are still present. Zombies (and other monstrosities) are no longer the lumbering beasts of the past, confined to their ‘zone’, easily passable with fancy footwork. This new breed of enemy passes through doors as they please, resulting in an ever changing, ever moving environment, negating any complacency with strategy.
New outdoor areas add a little more ground to cover and new enemy types make you rethink your approach to combat. One such enemy is the Crimson Head, which are the result of any dispatched zombie that has been left long enough to reanimate itself stronger and faster. The only sure way to prevent their presence is by burning all corpses that you leave in your wake, with lighter oil being a precious commodity.
Night 14
Reviewed by my girlfriend Eva
Title Luigi’s Mansion 3
System Played On – Nintendo Switch
Horror Sub Genre – Paranormal
Developed by Nintendo
Published by Nintendo
Released – 2019
Overall Rating 8 out of 10
Haunted Hotel Meter 10 out of 10
Luigi wins a free stay at the world class Last Resort hotel for himself, his friends, and even Polterpup! Hellen Gravely, the owner, promises to dazzle them with first class hospitality But things go quickly from charming to downright creepy.
Bobby surprised with “Luigi’s Mansion 3” and it was truly a surprise because I never played the first two. I didn’t know what to expect and I was pleasantly surprised. I really had fun playing this with Bobby as I was happy there was a co-op mode. I enjoyed the game because it was fun, had a good story and puzzle solving gameplay.
Even though it’s a paranormal game, it’s not scary and that’s why also why I enjoyed it. I don’t like anything horror related but this isn’t a game thats designed to creep you out. It’s a kid friendly game thats set in a haunted hotel so technically it fits into Bobby’s “31 Nights of Horror”. So for “scaredy cats” like myself this is a great alternative to get into the Halloween spirit.
Night 15
Title Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered
System Played On – PlayStation 4
Horror Sub Genre – Horror Comedy
Developed by SabervInteractive
Published by Maddog Games
Released – 2019
Overall Rating 8 out of 10
Ghost Meter 10 out of 10
Reviewed by my brother Scott and one of the trio of co-hosts of “Three G’s Podcast” over on Instagram
A new recruit joins the Ghostbusters, a team of parapsychologists who pursue and capture ghosts. Set two years after Ghostbusters II, around Thanksgiving in 1991, with the Ghostbusters team training the player’s character while investigating paranormal activities in New York City.
I first played this on the PlayStation 3 when it was first released in 2009. You had a single story and then a co-op mode. I don’t know why me and my brother never played this game together, he was probably getting a stupid platinum trophy and didn’t have time. When it was announced that it was being remastered I knew I had to buy it again and I told Bobby to buy it. The good thing was we both had it, the bad thing was it was only a single player game as they removed the online co-op. That sucked but at least Bobby was able to play it.
I enjoyed both movies and this game is actually, technically the third film in the franchise, just in video game form. All the original actors did the voice overs for this game, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis (R.I.P) even wrote the game. Playing this game really feels like your playing in the movie. The cut scenes are cool and gameplay was pretty fun. It’s ironic that we bought the game to play together eleven years after it was released only for us to play it at the same time instead if in co-op.
Nothing is really scary in Ghostbusters at all. Maybe the librarian was kinda creepy but it’s more horror comedy than anything else. Hopefully the forth film “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” actually comes out next year. The movie takes place 28 years after this game and the original actors are back and I’m excited for that. Anyway the game is good especially if your a fan but if your looking to get scared this is the wrong game.
Night 16
Reviewed by my co-host George of the “Unofficial Controller Podcast” over on Instagram.
Title Murdered: Soul Suspect
System Played On – PlayStation 3
Horror Sub Genre – Paranormal Mystery
Developed by Airtight Games
Published by Square Enix
Released – 2014
Overall Rating 6 out of 10
Murder Meter 10 out of 10
Ronan O’Connor is hunting down an infamous serial murderer the ‘The Bell Killer’. After being killed by the Bell Killer at the beginning of the game, Ronan returns as a ghost. He is then informed by his long-dead wife, Julia, that he must solve the Bell Killer mystery so he can rejoin her.
“Murdered: Soul Suspect”, you know this game passed me by as I’m sure it did most of you. But seeing as it came free on psn for PS4 and can be had on Xbox for £2 physical it’s a great story that will definitely grab you especially for the low low entry fee. Playing as Ronan O’Conner a detective with Salem Police Department (yes that Salem made famous by the witch trials!) your on the trail of a masked and hooded killer! Your first case is now your last as you were brutally thrown out of a window and now the first victim in your afterlife hunt for the killer is you.
Navigating the world of Salem as a ghost is both fascinating and fun . You help other spirits pass by solving their deaths and can even posses the living and listen to their thoughts . To say anymore should be to rob you of a fantatsic experience. Suffice to say the story was very interesting and hooked me in, the voice acting was also very good and yeah the game has jank but I can forgive it as the whole package is a real joy. So go on your journey to the spirit realm and solve who murdered you!
Night 17
Reviewed by tylermannings_gamecorner over on Instagram
Title Kuon
System Played On – PlayStation 2
Horror Sub Genre – Survival Horror
Developed by From Software
Published by Age Tec
Released – 2004
Overall Rating 8 out of 10
Ghost Meter 10 out of 10
Based on an ancient type of Japanese horror story called a kaidan, the game is set in a mansion in Kyoto during the Heian Period of Japan.
Kuon takes place at Fujiwara manor in Kyoto Japan during the Heian period from 794– 1185. Kuon has three playable protagonists that all find their way to a manor surrounded in darkness. Utsuki the protagonist of the Yin Phase is a shrine maiden who is with her sister Kureha, together they are looking for their father, exorcist Doman Ashiya. The second protagonist Sakuya of the Yang Phase is one of the Doman’s exorcist disciples and also enters the manor to search for Doman and to investigate the events at the manor. The third protagonist who unlocks after completing the first two phases is a fucking badass. Her name is Abe no Seimei of the Kuon Phase. She’s based on the real life master exorcist who is a male of the same name. During the game, you are met by a pair of creepy ass mysterious twins singing a chilling song. They are always up to no good.
The game plays like a hybrid Resident Evil and Silent Hill. The good news is no tank controls and the map layout was designed with the camera/controls in mind. Making it seamless without having to adjust stick directions constantly. The combat is awesome. You can cast spells using scrolls and summon creatures to help fight the monsters. There are melee weapons but like other survival horrors, this is the weak point. Sometimes they work fine but most times you don’t land hits. The player has to meditate to restore health and or use healing items. There are puzzles but they are lack luster and they are far and few between. My favorite takeaway is the design and atmosphere of the game. The character designs are stunning and the enemies are chilling.
Unfortunately the game is extremely expensive, copies can go for $800 and up. It’s an extremely rare game and if you want to play it I highly suggest to emulate it unless you have deep pockets.
Night 18
Reviewed by my friend Marlon aka that_guy_1981 over on Instagram
Title Layers of Fear
System Played On – PlayStation 4
Horror Sub Genre – Psychological Horror
Developed by Bloober Team
Published by Aspyr
Released – 2016
Overall Rating 6 out of 10
Haunted House Meter 10 out of 10
A psychologically disturbed painter is trying to complete his magnum opus as he navigates his Victorian mansion revealing secrets about his past.
I was in the mood for a horror game so I decided to ask Bobby about “Layers of Fear”. He thought it was pretty good but recommended to buy it on sale, he also recommended “Amnesia: Dark Desent”. Eventually it went on sale and I made the purchase. Layers of fear…. this game was pretty good for the cost. It does have its jump scares and best if played at night quietly in the dark with head phones. Puzzles are fairly easy but interesting to say the least.
Once if the creepier moments was the child’s room sequence. The baby music was a bit haunting, the lights fade and the room becomes pitch black, with extremely loud banging. The whole room goes mad. Then a heart pounding heavy bass plays deep in the headphones along with creepy and sad imagery all while the room keeps spinning and baby keeps slamming its head on the bed post. It was one of many well done scary scenes in the game but trust me, you need headphones and do not follow a walk-through!
Night 19
Reviewed by king_lizzard over on Instagram
Title F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin
System Played On – XBox 360
Horror Sub Genre – Super Natural Horror
Developed by Monolith Productions
Published by Warner Bros Interactive
Released – 2009
Overall Rating 8 out of 10
Alma Meter 10 out of 10
F.E.A.R. 2 : Project Origin follows on exactly where F.E.A.R. Ends. You play the part of Michael Beckett, a Delta Force operative of Dark Signal. Your objective, stop undead psychic Alma Wade from ripping apart the very fabric of reality and turning it into a playground for terror and despair.
This sequel reminds me a lot of the Alien and Predator movies formula, draped in psychological and supernatural horror, as you and your squad find themselves between a corrupt corporation and an immensely powerful psychic child. And that’s the scary part, a child with immense power who knows not of right or wrong, and only the pain and sufferings of a lab rat. Alma’s angry, and she wants revenge.
In gruesome style your squad members slowly diminish meet extremely nasty endings, leaving you always on edge, wondering “who’s next “ and how nasty an end is it going to be? You will be disturbed by incessant whispering and other mysterious noises. You will catch glimpses of a ghostly child like figure or shadows in the distance leaving you wondering whether you imagined it, or is it simply Alma playing games with you, and your mind?
F.E.A.R. 2 is seriously creepy and has many jump scares. It’s not uncommon for strip lighting to flicker on and off, and most of the game is in the dark requiring a torch, which does run down over time, adding to the suspense. The enhanced AI will exploit the level in order to end you by making their own cover and surrounding you. Do you have what it takes?
Next week part 3 will be up just in time for Halloween!
The Chronicles of a Gamer 