A PSX/CRT visual styled action horror game with tropes and scenes inspired from Italian zombie films from people like Lucio Fulci and Bruno Mattei.
The portals to hell have been opened and you have seven chapters set in various locations to play through as your main character and a group of mostly weirdos and a terrifying maybe child try to survive. You are armed with a revolver and shotgun that you load and aim slowly, can't aim while moving, and need to land hotshots to kill your enemies, whose heads might not always be in the normal place anymore. Knives can be found and act as a defensive item when you are grabbed by an enemy. The combat is slow and weighty and works and feels good enough in a game with this atmosphere. To interact with or pick up objects or open locked doors you need to unequip your weapon, but open doors can often be nudged up as you move into them.
There are some strong creepy moments, though they often don't lead to much when you might have been thinking you were going to get into a situation that might change up the mechanics in an interesting way. Good sound design and some nice haunting visuals in the quiet moments.
Each of the seven chapters is set in a different area and has their own style and feel to them, some better than others from an atmosphere or combat perspective. Its a short entertaining time. Finishing the game unlocks the more comedic focused Booty Creek Cheek Freak episode and a quick and fairly dull oriented episode that opens with a few elements similar to Call of Duty's zombie game mode.
Screenshots: https://twitter.com/Legolas_Katarn/status/1786992271877079122
The portals to hell have been opened and you have seven chapters set in various locations to play through as your main character and a group of mostly weirdos and a terrifying maybe child try to survive. You are armed with a revolver and shotgun that you load and aim slowly, can't aim while moving, and need to land hotshots to kill your enemies, whose heads might not always be in the normal place anymore. Knives can be found and act as a defensive item when you are grabbed by an enemy. The combat is slow and weighty and works and feels good enough in a game with this atmosphere. To interact with or pick up objects or open locked doors you need to unequip your weapon, but open doors can often be nudged up as you move into them.
There are some strong creepy moments, though they often don't lead to much when you might have been thinking you were going to get into a situation that might change up the mechanics in an interesting way. Good sound design and some nice haunting visuals in the quiet moments.
Each of the seven chapters is set in a different area and has their own style and feel to them, some better than others from an atmosphere or combat perspective. Its a short entertaining time. Finishing the game unlocks the more comedic focused Booty Creek Cheek Freak episode and a quick and fairly dull oriented episode that opens with a few elements similar to Call of Duty's zombie game mode.
Screenshots: https://twitter.com/Legolas_Katarn/status/1786992271877079122
Way too short for my liking. Needed a little more meat on its bones, and definitely a few more puzzle-solving segments. The game, however, is pretty indicative of Black Eyed Priest's writing strengths. The writing is 100% where the game shines. It's so funny, out-of-pocket, and absurd. I honestly love it. The game did genuinely scare me a couple times as well, so props there.
The gameplay is pretty easy, but sometimes odd. The hitboxes on the zombies can be a little wonky at times, and the one boss in the game was a little annoying as a result. Anyways, this was a flawed, but really silly, inoffensive game. Can't wait for the sequel.
The gameplay is pretty easy, but sometimes odd. The hitboxes on the zombies can be a little wonky at times, and the one boss in the game was a little annoying as a result. Anyways, this was a flawed, but really silly, inoffensive game. Can't wait for the sequel.
Assim filmes trashes de zumbi dos anos 90 tem histórias absurdas e sem sentido, esse jogo tbm tem.
Apart from the Exorcist III jumpscares that don't work anymore with these kinda games because you're constantly expecting them, this is a decent wee thing.
The most I've liked anything Puppet Combo-adjacent.
The most I've liked anything Puppet Combo-adjacent.
If you told teenage me that there existed a lo-fi zombie survival shooter inspired by video nasty era Lucio Fulci movies I would’ve laughed you out of my little video dungeon bedroom that I spent my youth in. Nowadays, with an indie market saturated by Puppet Combo’s distinct, much imitated brand of horror games, it’s hardly a surprise.
Still, it’s a delight basking in the bleak, jagged world of Night at the Gates of Hell. The gameplay isn’t anything fancy, but I found the zombie shooting most satisfying, perhaps more so than in a number of RE games: the way the zombies move - slow, creeping but firmly towards the player - creates tension, and being able to pop them in the head with a single skull-splattering shot is deeply satisfying. Much in the spirit of Fulci’s movies The Beyond, The House by the Cemetery and City of the Living Dead, the zombies look unrealistic and rather abstract, but freaky in their own way, with bulging eyes and monstrous grins.
I found much of Jordan King’s penchant for trashy, irreverent comedy relief less suited to the atmosphere here than in his previous game, The Booty Creek Cheek Freak which feels like a joyous South Park parody against its contemporaries. Likewise, the plot is as nonsensical and thinly sketched as you’d expect from any Italian-American schlock horror picture of the late 70s, but the ending still feels a little cold (an enjoyable final image nevertheless).
Generally, Gates is inconsistent, but a fuller experience than Bloodwash and Cheek Freak. It peaks early with the apartment and coastal village segments, but there’s plenty to enjoy, perhaps more for the movie buffs strangely enough.
Still, it’s a delight basking in the bleak, jagged world of Night at the Gates of Hell. The gameplay isn’t anything fancy, but I found the zombie shooting most satisfying, perhaps more so than in a number of RE games: the way the zombies move - slow, creeping but firmly towards the player - creates tension, and being able to pop them in the head with a single skull-splattering shot is deeply satisfying. Much in the spirit of Fulci’s movies The Beyond, The House by the Cemetery and City of the Living Dead, the zombies look unrealistic and rather abstract, but freaky in their own way, with bulging eyes and monstrous grins.
I found much of Jordan King’s penchant for trashy, irreverent comedy relief less suited to the atmosphere here than in his previous game, The Booty Creek Cheek Freak which feels like a joyous South Park parody against its contemporaries. Likewise, the plot is as nonsensical and thinly sketched as you’d expect from any Italian-American schlock horror picture of the late 70s, but the ending still feels a little cold (an enjoyable final image nevertheless).
Generally, Gates is inconsistent, but a fuller experience than Bloodwash and Cheek Freak. It peaks early with the apartment and coastal village segments, but there’s plenty to enjoy, perhaps more for the movie buffs strangely enough.
Jogo bom de terror, tem boa atmosfera e não se leva muito a serio, tem alguns bosses e a gameplay é unica onde os inimigos só morrem com um headshot então se você é ruim de mira cuidado com esse jogo e vem com 2 capitulos extra o que é um bom adendo ao jogo
Gave up on this one fairly quick. I had seen trailers for other "Torture Star" games on YouTube for a while now and had the feeling they weren't very good games, but maybe interesting. I was half right.
Maybe this is for someone, but it isn't for me. The jump scares were almost funny, but their screams, good lord. Ear-piercing stuff. It doesn't matter what your speaker volume is at, I assure you it's too loud for these. And if you're wearing headphones? Enjoy the permanent damage these'll do to you. There should probably be a disclaimer, it's that bad.
I only played the intro sequence and a bit of the apartment stuff. I started having a slightly better time once I got the revolver, but once I ran into a progress-halting bug (or maybe I simply didn't try hard enough, but really, is it worth it here?), I decided to call it quits.
Trying to see the positives, here: I'm glad I know what these games are like, now, after probably years of seeing trailers on YouTube. I got my fix, I think I'm good.
Maybe this is for someone, but it isn't for me. The jump scares were almost funny, but their screams, good lord. Ear-piercing stuff. It doesn't matter what your speaker volume is at, I assure you it's too loud for these. And if you're wearing headphones? Enjoy the permanent damage these'll do to you. There should probably be a disclaimer, it's that bad.
I only played the intro sequence and a bit of the apartment stuff. I started having a slightly better time once I got the revolver, but once I ran into a progress-halting bug (or maybe I simply didn't try hard enough, but really, is it worth it here?), I decided to call it quits.
Trying to see the positives, here: I'm glad I know what these games are like, now, after probably years of seeing trailers on YouTube. I got my fix, I think I'm good.
A game trying to feel like the older Resident Evil games and old zombie movies while being an FPS. You know, the super corny ones with zombie nuns and the zombies using firearms. It also has that great grindhouse feel with a lot of the characters and scenes.
The game is both incredibly tense, but at the same time is very forgiving. Ammo and knives are scarce, you die in one hit without a knife, but checkpoints are generous and you do get free ammo and a knife if needed. Highly recommend at least trying this one out for absurdity alone.
The game is both incredibly tense, but at the same time is very forgiving. Ammo and knives are scarce, you die in one hit without a knife, but checkpoints are generous and you do get free ammo and a knife if needed. Highly recommend at least trying this one out for absurdity alone.
Actually got freaked out during the first half. Its been a long time since that has happened. Very tense.
Knows exactly what it wants to do and does it very well.
This review contains spoilers
So you have found me.
Not what you expected?
Not what you expected?
Pretty fun indie survival horror game. Written like something Jay Bauman would recommend for Best of the Worst. Would have liked it more if it wasn't for the ear deafening jump scare sounds that seem to ignore sound settings. Very happy i didn't play this with headphones or else i fear i might have suffered hearing damage
It's okay! The combat is both easy and weighty, and progression forgiving, and I love the aesthetic, but some of the level design isn't so good and there's way too many jump scares for my tastes. The bonus levels are my favorite part of the game - one as a gay comedy homage, and one as a parody of Call of Duty Zombies.
Surprised with this one. Wasn't expecting too much and got so much more. Some good jump scares and creepy atmosphere. Even if the tone is comical at times, it does a good job creeping you out. Loved it.
Charles is one of the best NPCs in a horror game, probably
This review contains spoilers
Night At the Gates of Hell is a single player first person shooter survival horror game created by Black Eyed Priest (who created the game Bloodwash) in the vein of an 80s Fulci Zombie movie; as to which like most of the Torture Star Video game label they got going on they nail it right in the head with that mark. I'm not going to go over the usual stuff because there are technically three games in one so to do the usual format would take too long. So I'm gonna discuss how I feel about each of the games.
The main game Night at the Gates of Hell is good; the plot follows a guy named David as he tries to find his way with a group of survivors out of the city to an island out in the ocean that's been labeled as "safe". I'm not gonna go for plot spoilers much except hell yeah Stan from Bloodwash is back! but generally speaking I enjoy the pace of the plot, as well as the story content; the story content is messed up in the old exploitation horror movie style and there were multiple times where I was grossed out as well as creeped out (especially that little bastard Charles); there were other times where I was legitimately scared and I will say that I'm not really a jump scare guy but some of these were actually pretty good and got me. The gameplay consists of collecting ammo and kitchen knives, carefully shooting your way through zombies/cult members either down a set path or through a semi openish area to figure out the next piece of a puzzle to go forward. Collecting those knives are important because you have no health meter, if you have nothing and either a cult member or a zombie grabs you you're dead. I'll say that for the most part except one or two areas you're not gonna be inundated in ammo, though there were at least two times where I had 8 or so knives I think? Not that I'm complaining really. Overall I like how it's done, and it's a tense way trying to figure out how not to die. By completing this version you'll unlock two extra modes: The Booty Creek Cheek Freak and Evil in the House of Dr. Fleshenstein.
The Booty Creek Cheek Freak is a much smaller affair but a lot more h o m o erotic and tongue in cheek which I thought was hilarious, the story isn't really there but it involves a myth that has the titular Cheek Freak coming out if you poop on the floor in the bathroom. The game has quotables and for the most part was straightforward and I really liked it. I guess the only part I could really complain about was the maze at the end where you have to collect the Cheek Freak's bones in order to flush it down the toilet. It wasn't bad, but the maze is confusing and if you aren't aware where the air freshener is at all times your cheeks will get clapped, though it's not frustrating where you're like pissed throwing stuff at a wall.
Evil in the House of Dr. Fleshenstein reminds me a lot in the way of a game I played last month called Traffic; mostly in the fact that this is basically a Call of Duty styled Zombies mode where you get points for killing zombies of which you use those points to restock on ammo, open doors and search for clues. It took me a while to figure out how to get the actual combination but to do so you need to collect the numbers in a certain order; I found the next step's part a bit quicker since the objects needed for the mannequins just sit there and be collected in any order. The plot is basically you're in a house, kill zombies, then kill Dr. Fleshenstein (which I won't spoil the reveal but it made me chuckle a bit).
Overall I enjoyed my time with the game, though I put 3.2 hours into it, beat all the modes and got all the achievements. If the 12 dollar price point for 3-4 hours or so doesn't mesh I would wait on sale but for the most part anything that has to do with PS1 aesthetics and Puppet Combo I enjoy. Only thing I can complain about is that CRT filter made stuff kind of difficult to see on top of the other graphic styles; so I ended up turning it off and going with 70s mode and PSX mode so I could see. Voice acting is goofy and shlocky for the most part and I love it. I guess to wrap it up, game is good and I think it's worth the hard earned cash. If you're looking for a scary, slow paced survival horror shooter and you have a night to kill I would suggest picking it up.
From Steam Reviews: https://steamcommunity.com/id/gamemast15r/recommended/
The main game Night at the Gates of Hell is good; the plot follows a guy named David as he tries to find his way with a group of survivors out of the city to an island out in the ocean that's been labeled as "safe". I'm not gonna go for plot spoilers much except hell yeah Stan from Bloodwash is back! but generally speaking I enjoy the pace of the plot, as well as the story content; the story content is messed up in the old exploitation horror movie style and there were multiple times where I was grossed out as well as creeped out (especially that little bastard Charles); there were other times where I was legitimately scared and I will say that I'm not really a jump scare guy but some of these were actually pretty good and got me. The gameplay consists of collecting ammo and kitchen knives, carefully shooting your way through zombies/cult members either down a set path or through a semi openish area to figure out the next piece of a puzzle to go forward. Collecting those knives are important because you have no health meter, if you have nothing and either a cult member or a zombie grabs you you're dead. I'll say that for the most part except one or two areas you're not gonna be inundated in ammo, though there were at least two times where I had 8 or so knives I think? Not that I'm complaining really. Overall I like how it's done, and it's a tense way trying to figure out how not to die. By completing this version you'll unlock two extra modes: The Booty Creek Cheek Freak and Evil in the House of Dr. Fleshenstein.
The Booty Creek Cheek Freak is a much smaller affair but a lot more h o m o erotic and tongue in cheek which I thought was hilarious, the story isn't really there but it involves a myth that has the titular Cheek Freak coming out if you poop on the floor in the bathroom. The game has quotables and for the most part was straightforward and I really liked it. I guess the only part I could really complain about was the maze at the end where you have to collect the Cheek Freak's bones in order to flush it down the toilet. It wasn't bad, but the maze is confusing and if you aren't aware where the air freshener is at all times your cheeks will get clapped, though it's not frustrating where you're like pissed throwing stuff at a wall.
Evil in the House of Dr. Fleshenstein reminds me a lot in the way of a game I played last month called Traffic; mostly in the fact that this is basically a Call of Duty styled Zombies mode where you get points for killing zombies of which you use those points to restock on ammo, open doors and search for clues. It took me a while to figure out how to get the actual combination but to do so you need to collect the numbers in a certain order; I found the next step's part a bit quicker since the objects needed for the mannequins just sit there and be collected in any order. The plot is basically you're in a house, kill zombies, then kill Dr. Fleshenstein (which I won't spoil the reveal but it made me chuckle a bit).
Overall I enjoyed my time with the game, though I put 3.2 hours into it, beat all the modes and got all the achievements. If the 12 dollar price point for 3-4 hours or so doesn't mesh I would wait on sale but for the most part anything that has to do with PS1 aesthetics and Puppet Combo I enjoy. Only thing I can complain about is that CRT filter made stuff kind of difficult to see on top of the other graphic styles; so I ended up turning it off and going with 70s mode and PSX mode so I could see. Voice acting is goofy and shlocky for the most part and I love it. I guess to wrap it up, game is good and I think it's worth the hard earned cash. If you're looking for a scary, slow paced survival horror shooter and you have a night to kill I would suggest picking it up.
From Steam Reviews: https://steamcommunity.com/id/gamemast15r/recommended/
Not sure if anyone comparing this to old school resi has actually played any of those games.
Compensates for it's jank and the cheapness of it's insta-kill enemy encounters by de-emphasising it's survival horror mechanics to the point where they might as well not exist.
Compensates for it's jank and the cheapness of it's insta-kill enemy encounters by de-emphasising it's survival horror mechanics to the point where they might as well not exist.
Game promised Giallo vibes and I got them. I think the first half was much stronger than the second, but I really did feel the pressure of trying to shoot fast walking zombies without any of the typical video game cross hairs to help line up shots.
Well worth checking out if you're looking for a scare.
Well worth checking out if you're looking for a scare.
Some truly great lofi italian inspired horror. Deliberate gunplay creates a feeling that one missed bullet could be the end. The character and plot are ripped straight out of a B movie. Overall, great weekend game to try