By KEVIN HOOVER
Indie developer Villainous Games Studio has announced a new addition to their burgeoning portfolio of horror titles with HORROR STORIES: HARVEST HUNT. The game’s synopsis reads as a cat-and-mouse strategy affair in which players take command of a Warden, whose attempts at salvation are buffed through an in-game card mechanic. The Devourer, however, seeks to upend their conquests, and gamers will need to think on their feet should they wish to survive the night. The announcement trailer divulges a first-person approach, with labyrinthine cornfields that evoke Outlast 2 vibes.
From the game’s press release:
“HORROR STORIES: HARVEST HUNT takes horror in a new direction by blending the replayability of roguelites with the tension found across the genre. Step into the role of an appointed Warden tasked with gathering precious ambrosia throughout a sinister, nonlinear environment in order to seek salvation. Wardens are not alone in their search, as the Devourer lurks throughout the fields preying for its next victim. Wardens must take a deep breath and steady their heart rates if they hope to see dawn.
The hunt is ever-changing, so strategic decision-making and adaptability are vital when facing the Devourer. Before each night of the harvest, Wardens must decide how much health they are willing to sacrifice in order to gain advantageous tools found across the Farmlands of Luna Nova. Cards are drawn to determine the fate of the Wardens ahead of each night. Cards may bring peculiar abilities, a bit of welcomed luck, and modifiers that affect both the environment and the Devourer alike.
From the unnerving soundscapes to the grim surroundings, HORROR STORIES: HARVEST HUNT features a macabre atmosphere for Wardens to embrace. Delve into the horrors of the dense, hand-drawn environments backed by a chilling score from composer Jeff Broadbent (Resident Evil, Assassin’s Creed). Become lost in the darkness, unaware of what lies in the shadows, ready to strike.”
The dev goes on to state their case for why horror gamers looking for their next fix should give this title a look, including key features such as:
- Stealth: Gameplay that focuses on sneaking, hiding, and creeping in the darkness as you find your way around the dangerous cornfields of Luna Nova.
- Survival: Sacrifice health to gain helpful tools, face Luna Nova’s hostile environment, and harvest precious resources for the survival of your village, all while confronting a monster vastly stronger than you.
- Strategy: Risk-and-reward situations encourage smart decision-making, adaptability, and countering different elements with appropriate tools and strategies.
- Roguelite: Play over multiple 10-15 minute runs and tailor your deck by choosing tools that counter each night’s randomized challenges
- Narrative: Embody a colorful cast of characters, piecing together their stories, personalities, and the truth of Luna Nova’s curse through the fragments of the villagers’ past.
HORROR STORIES: HARVEST HUNT goes into Early Access on Steam on July 26. For more information about Villainous Games Studio and their previous horror games, be sure to visit their website.
https://youtu.be/UjG4bFqowsY
