While Alan Wake 2 may have been this Halloween season’s must-play title, there were plenty of other games worth noticing. We’re highlighting a few of them in this round-up, where we check out the latest update for the Early Access version of The Outlast Trials, the console port of Forgive Me Father, a 10 year anniversary update for Slender: The Arrival and the recently release Early Access version of Forgive Me Father 2.
The Outlast Trials preview (PC)
In a brand new Halloween update, Red Barrels’ The Outlast Trials plunges players deeper into darkness with the arrival of ‘Program 4: Courthouse’. This new trial delivers fresh horrors and challenges, but the Halloween update doesn’t stop there. There’s a limited-time event known as ‘Program Geister’, which offers special rewards for those who dare to face its grim trials. The update also ushers in additional MK-Challenges, new Amps, prescriptions, cosmetics, and cell items, allowing players to fine-tune their approach to survival. Moreover, a Sleep Room Minigame provides a neat little diversion as well.
Having ventured into the early access version, we feel that the larger, more open-ended stages provide a heightened sense of engagement when compared to previous Outlast games. There are often multiple avenues for navigating obstacles, and the tools you have available to you enhance stealth capabilities while offering strategic advantages as well – with a good degree of risk vs reward involved in getting them. The Outlast Trials’ cooperative mode adds a new dimension to the experience as well, with teamwork proving crucial (and rewarding) for survival.
While the game still excels in instilling terror in solo play, it will be interesting to see how the dynamic will evolve in a multiplayer setting as well. The Outlast Trials has been in Early Access since May and it’s early in a great state to play – and the Halloween update was a clear showcase for the steps forward that the developers are taking.
Forgive Me Father review (PS5)
Forgive Me Father by Byte Barrel has been out for a while, but recently made the jump to consoles, offering its gritty Lovecraftian FPS experience to a new audience. Set against a 1930s noir backdrop, players can choose between a priest and a journalist, each with their strengths and weaknesses. The game offers an engaging progression system, allowing players to upgrade their weapons, resulting in inventive and powerful arsenals that give this one a unique feel. Combat is intense, featuring a variety of enemies, from zombies to the eldritch horrors one usually associates with Lovecraft, providing a dynamic and visceral experience.
The console version of Forgive Me Father, especially on PlayStation 5, translates well, delivering a smooth and immersive gaming experience. The game’s striking graphic novel-style visuals, with detailed sprite work, draw players into its dark and atmospheric world without having to rely on state of the art next-gen graphics. The metal soundtrack complements the action perfectly, enhancing the overall intensity of the on-screen action.
But while the game excels in many aspects, it could benefit from some polish in voice acting and translations. Additionally, slight adjustments in difficulty balancing could enhance the overall gameplay experience somewhat. Despite these minor areas for improvement, Forgive Me Father offers a thrilling and inventive Lovecraftian FPS adventure that will captivate fans of the genre. For those seeking a gripping and intense gaming experience, this title is a must-play, and those looking for refinements will be happy to know that a sequel is already available in Early Access – see below.
Slender: The Arrival – 10th Anniversary review (PS5)
In 2013, Slender: The Arrival made its mark in the horror gaming landscape, offering a minimalist experience that created quite a buzz. Now, in 2023, we get a 10th-anniversary update that breathes new life into this cult classic. The update combines nostalgia with modernity, providing both a visual upgrade and a new chapter to explore – and while it’s free for owners of the game on Steam it’s also being released on modern consoles as a new release at the same time.
For fans of the original, this new update is a trip down memory lane, retaining the essence of Slender while offering a fresh layer of paint on top. The game receives a commendable visual overhaul, breathing new life into a classic thanks to a new engine, with improved textures, lighting, and atmosphere. Players can tailor the experience to their skill level, offering a range of difficulty settings, and with various collectibles and secrets to discover, the game encourages repeated playthroughs. The house section in the game stands out as a nerve-wracking experience, giving players a taste of genuine horror and terror.
However, while the graphics receive an improvement, they still fall short of the standards set by modern horror games in 2023. The sound quality can also be a bit unbalanced, sometimes breaking the immersion, and the persistent motion blur might not be to everyone’s liking. Slender is a product of its time, and its jump scares may feel somewhat outdated compared to more nuanced scares and atmosphere-building in current horror games. In that sense, this one is more about revisiting a 2013 classic than it is about your next great horror experience.
But while it may not be a groundbreaking new take on the original game, the improved visuals, multiple difficulty options, and expanded story are praiseworthy. Shortcomings in sound quality, motion blur, and a somewhat dated feel should be factored in, but this one’s still a classic worth checking out.
Forgive Me Father 2 preview (PC)
Published by Fulqrum Publishing and developed by Byte Barrel, Forgive Me Father 2 takes players back to a world inspired by H.P. Lovecraft’s nightmarish tales. Building on the foundations and narrative of the first installment, players step into the shoes of a priest on a harrowing journey to salvation. It features the same dark comic-like visuals, but with improved sprites, models, and atmospheric lighting effects.
We had the opportunity to dive into the sinister world of Forgive Me Father 2 during a hands-off preview at Gamescom in August. Following that, we delved further into the early access version recently launched on Steam, and made sure to check it out during last week’s spooky season.
Forgive Me Father 2’s gameplay is reminiscent of classic titles like DOOM and Quake, with combat that is fast-paced while offering an expanding arsenal of weapons to confront the game’s nightmarish foes. The level design strikes a balance between linear progression where you can mindlessly move forward and some more intricate, labyrinthine layouts. The incorporation of tokens as a currency for unlocking weapon variants adds depth to customization without resorting to intricate mechanics that take you out of the action. The inclusion of Madness Skills introduces a strategic layer to the gameplay, allowing players to adapt to different situations.
The narrative in the game adheres to Lovecraftian themes, but feels somewhat underdeveloped compared to the game’s strengths in terms of gameplay. Nevertheless, the atmospheric setting and visual boost more than compensates, creating a palpable sense of dread throughout the experience. The visual design, characterized by dark, hand-drawn graphics, contributes to the game’s unique and immersive style, and the weapons are satisfyingly impactful. The music and sound design excel as well, with a fitting blend of electric guitar riffs and ambient tracks enhancing the atmosphere. So despite being in early access, Forgive Me Father 2 already showcases impressive potential. With its blend of intense combat, strategic depth, and atmospheric design, it promises to deliver a compelling Lovecraftian horror experience. As more content is introduced, the game’s prospects for a successful full release look promising.
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