Trends come and go in gaming, but the horror genre is as evergreen as it is in movies. That’s been especially the case in Australia this year, where a homegrown stealth horror has sparked a broader fascination with the genre. Here, we will take a look at the games that have been trending, starting with the title that set the whole craze in motion.
Macabre helps you find out who your friends are
Over recent years, games like the Amnesia franchise have relied on a sense of creeping dread and jump scares. Macabre is a multiplayer game, and as such, could easily descend into farce and hilarity. The fact that it doesn’t is testament to the designers, who have created a game that will challenge friendships.
Macabre is the debut title from Weforge, a Sydney-based indie studio. The game is described as a “stealth extraction horror.” It places the players in an unstable time rift where infinite timelines intersect, including those of other players. The goal is to obtain valuable resources and escape with life and sanity intact. But the players are not the only beings caught up in the rift, and that is where the real terror begins.
Staying together and operating as a team is core to success. But that is easier said than done when the shadows start coalescing in the periphery of your vision.
Sons of the Forest won plenty of fans on early release
Macabre is not the only survival horror game to have wowed Australian audiences this year. Originally slated for 2022, Sons of the Forest’s full release has been pushed back twice and is now scheduled for next year. But the early release, which came out in February, has done plenty to whet the appetite.
This time, the setting is an island that makes the setting of Lost look like a vacation paradise. Cannibals emerge from the swamp, and whatever is lurking in the cave is best left right there until you have accumulated the resources to face it.
Highly atmospheric from the outset, each update has added another layer of complexity to the game, so now is a good time to get together with some friends and attack it from the prequel. That will provide ample background to get the most from it when the full release finally comes about.
Dark Summoning brings the horror to the casino
The Australian fondness for casino games in general and pokies in particular is no secret. Pokies come in all types, so it is really no surprise that the horror theme is trending here, too. Hacksaw Gaming is well-known for its horror-themed slots, but it has outdone itself with the recently released Dark Summoning. The game is already proving to be a winner with Australian punters.
Dark Summoning certainly looks the part, with suitably spooky sounds and an atmospheric candlelit setting. But there is also substance to back up the style. Special symbols have a faint glow about them, which is a nice touch, and they are sufficiently plentiful to keep the serious gamblers happy. Three different bonus features keep things interesting and can deliver serious returns.
You can find Dark Summoning on most casino platforms. It’s worth checking out some legit casino reviews to find a reputable Australian casino site that is offering a good deal.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is faithful to the source material
Finally, we can’t talk about horror games without mentioning this latest release from Gun. It has attracted attention in Australia and beyond, being based on arguably the most famous horror story of them all.
Reviews have been lukewarm, but there is a lot to like about this game. It is not as disturbing as some we have mentioned, but it is atmospheric, and it is more faithful to the 1974 movie than anything that has come before.
The option to play different characters adds a richness through opposing perspectives. Ignore the nay-sayers and give it a try.
