The Mute House – Review
Disclaimer: We were fortunate to gain early access to The Mute House. The impressions shared in this article are based on that pre-release version. The Mute House is a brand new fixed-camera third person classic survival horror game from solo developer December Blues Games. It is an impressive debut effort, with rich detailed graphics akin to games like Tormented Souls, and some seriously terrifying moments. But what makes the game stand out most is its hauntingly somber tone and some very challenging (but fair) puzzles. What immediately struck me – and only continued to impress – is the game’s atmosphere. It is legitimately terrifying at certain moments, and there’s a noticeable shift in energy as you progress through the game. Its use of shadows often let my imagination run wild, spurred on by some seriously creepy sound work that I can only compare to the recent Silent Hill 2 remake. The game takes its horror very seriously, and you won’t find much Resident Evil b-movie corniness here. The gameplay itself is somewhat of a mixed bag. At times it can feel a little bit walking sim-esque, similar to last year’s Hollowbody. There’s lots of non-interactive square footage, and a number of rooms that offer only a bit of ammo or an optional note. But when the game does have a puzzle, it’s almost always expertly crafted. If you remember the piano puzzle in Silent Hill 1– this has its own rendition, but is actually logical and a blast to figure out. I do have some gripes with it though. In the pre-release state, it had no map and no notes – you’re truly on your own. If you have a photographic memory then you’re in luck, but for us plebeians – I encourage you to take detailed notes and even draw your own map like the good old days. A significant drawback is that the item storage boxes are not interconnected, forcing you to constantly remember where you’ve placed each item. I have a suspicion when more players offer feedback, this will get addressed. Aside from those minor gripes, it’s a really impressive debut from the developer. The tank controls are snappy, the combat is simple but effective, and the core exploration gameplay is top notch. If it was just a little bit denser in the gameplay department, and addressed the map/inventory issues – I could easily see this being in my notes for a GOTY contender. But without a doubt, it’s definitely the best survival horror game I’ve played this year and I’m eager for what’s next from the developer. Use this link to buy or wishlist The Mute House! https://store.steampowered.com/app/2219890/THE_MUTE_HOUSE/
Dead of Darkness – Review
Disclaimer: We were fortunate to gain early access to Dead of Darkness. The impressions shared in this article are based on that pre-release version. Dead of Darkness is the latest addition to the extremely slim selection of 2D survival horror games, joining ranks with Evil Tonight, Viviette and Lone Survivor. It follows the story of Miles Windham, an ex-cop floating through life after the mysterious death of his wife and daughter. He gets a letter in the mail inviting him to a clinic on Velvet Island, which is the ominous setting for the entire game. The game is massive, my playthrough clocked in at 23 hours. Along the journey, you will be exploring a mansion, hospital, houses, underground tunnels and a tower of traps. You know the drill: solve puzzles, dodge enemies and unlock shortcuts. The level design is pretty good, but it’s definitely a bit padded. Many rooms only have a single health item and the decorum is often just repeated sprites and descriptions you’ve seen a few times before. The puzzles are pretty simple Resident Evil “use X item on X” style. There is a unique system in the way the game handles clues. When you encounter helpful information in a note, it gets stored as a clue in the inventory, which is a separate tab from the files. What makes it interesting is that clues are used similarly to inventory items – you can combine clues together, use them on items, or use them on the environments. The best puzzles in the game used this system. The game rewards keen observation in other ways too, with optional upgrades and items sprinkled throughout. At the time of playing, there is definitely some roughness to the overall balancing though. On normal difficulty, the first hour is very tough (but fun), but if you play conservatively then you will run out of space in your stash box by the end of the game. This is starkly contrasted by the time spent playing as a second character, where I never had any items and just barely scraped by. Hopefully this will get balanced out better, but it was probably the biggest issue I had. ***Addendum: from what I’ve heard, other players with less experience actually had to drop the difficulty to easy just to survive, so choose your campaign based on your experience level. The writing is graphic, and I liked how unabashedly it would describe (or imply) absolutely horrific scenarios. The voice acting is very professionally done, and the character portraits (especially the body horror ones) were a treat. The pixel artwork though feels pretty basic – it’s about at the level you can see in the trailer throughout. Overall, the game just suffers from some pacing and balancing issues. The long playthrough time doesn’t feel justified by the amount of puzzles or set pieces, it feels bloated and towards the end it drags. If it was refined, worked in with new puzzles, unique decorum in each room, etc. then it would be a pretty satisfying experience. I would have loved way more clue system puzzles- these were great. I had a good time though, especially in some key areas – the mansion, the House of Always, and Graham Memorial Hospital come to mind. These areas show the best the game has to offer with fun strategic combat, clever puzzles, fun weaving level design, and horrific graphic bits of lore. Having played an early build of this 2D survival horror game, I can say it’s shaping up to be an excellent experience. With some patches to refine the rough edges and streamline a few aspects, it has the potential to truly shine. Dead of Darkness will release on the 23rd of January 2025, use this link to buy or wishlist! https://store.steampowered.com/app/2157210/Dead_of_Darkness
The Thing Remastered Exclusive
Disclaimer: We were fortunate to gain early access to an unfinished build of The Thing Remastered. The impressions shared in this article are based on that pre-release version. NightDive Studios has created a reputation for expertly revitalising classic games from the ’90s and early 2000s, titles from an era predating HD graphics, PBR textures, and advanced lighting systems. Their talent for modernizing these experiences makes The Thing (2002) a prime candidate for a remaster. Your squad mates can now only be infected by direct contact with a Thing beast. The heart of The Thing lies in its infection system, a mechanic that captivated fans upon its original release. Naturally, one burning question precedes the remaster’s launch: Are the infections still scripted? I’m happy to confirm that they are not. The remaster eliminates the old scripted infections. Now, squadmates are only infected through direct contact with a Thing beast. Adding another layer of tension, certain NPCs are more susceptible to infection than others, making each encounter unpredictable. This dynamic approach reintroduces the fear and paranoia that defined the original game while enhancing the immersion for a modern audience. The saying goes, “Photography is all about lighting,” but the more I play NightDive’s remasters, the more I believe this is true for gaming too. The flamethrower is an integral part of combat. To take down the big Walkers, you need to burn them when their health is low, meaning you’ll rely on the flamethrower frequently. In this remaster, the Kex Engine enhances the dynamic lighting effects, making the flamethrower’s flames look far better than in the original game. Another significant update in the remaster is the rebalanced difficulty. Late-game sections, in particular, now feature more health and ammo pickups, alleviating much of the frustration players faced in completing the original. While The Thing Remastered retains its horror elements, it’s more accurately described as a squad-based action horror game rather than pure survival horror. Resources are plentiful, and the gameplay leans heavily on action rather than evasion. Unlike traditional survival horror games, where avoiding enemies is key, this title encourages direct confrontation and tactical combat. Don’t let the genre label deter you – this is a classic game inspired by a cult-classic horror movie, and it’s absolutely worth experiencing. If you’re curious to see The Thing Remastered in action, check out the video below. It showcases the game’s updated visuals, dynamic lighting, and intense gameplay, giving you a glimpse of what makes this remaster so special. Whether you’re a fan of the original or discovering it for the first time, the footage will give you a better feel for the atmosphere and improvements NightDive Studios has brought to this cult classic.