horror
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Manhunt 2 wallpapers bring the violence to your desktop
If you happen to use your computer near someone who fancies themselves a Jack Thompson-alike, then boy have we got something for you: freakalicious Manhunt 2 wallpapers to dress up that desktop. There's nothing like a giant glaring eyeball of death to get you through the workday. Our spiffy new galleries balk at anything over 800px wide, so you'll have to hit the source for the bigger, better versions. To make up for it, we added some screenshots as well. Enjoy!%Gallery-3148%
Party like it's 2005 with more Resident Evil 4 trailers
Nintendo of Europe is featuring a couple of trailers for Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition that should help convey how cool RE4 is to those of you who didn't play it back on the Gamecube. They also do a pretty good job of reminding the rest of us that Resident Evil 4 was pretty damn cool. After seeing the trailers and screenshots, we can feel ourselves starting to turn into Capcom's willing zombie minions. Maybe Wiimote aiming would improve the experience! Maybe waggle does trump a novelty chainsaw controller!
DS Daily: Survival horror
We were poring over the new Silent Hill 5 "details" today (more like vague statements from Akira Yamaoka about how awesome it's going to be) and all we really know about it is that it's going to be more like Silent Hill 2 (yay) and it's coming to some consoles that aren't the DS (boo). Our first reaction is to be outraged. We love our system and we love Silent Hill and its atmospheric, psychological horror storytelling.But would we actually love them together? The larger question here extends beyond the boundaries of one foggy town: is the DS an appropriate format for survival horror? We had one outing already in Resident Evil: Deadly Silence, which a very trustworthy source tells us wasn't an entirely successful experiment. Alternately, if the major discussion topic doesn't interest you, we can just talk about Silent Hill and how great it is.
Penumbra: Overture makes its creepy debut
Announced almost a year ago, the first installment in the Penumbra: Overture episodic trilogy has finally been unleashed. The horror adventure title relies on a proprietary physics engine that allows you to pick up and manipulate almost any object. Combat plays a small role in Overture, but you'll spend most of your time tip-toeing around corners and squealing every time you hear a noise. It's a genuinely creepy game.While Penumbra manages to take a fresh approach to the 3D survival genre, the price and the game's length don't quite agree with each other. The first episode will take you less than three hours to complete, and with a price tag of $19.99, it feels a little steep. The game has remarkably high production value for an independent studio, making the cost a little more bearable. Just think of the warm fuzzy feeling you'll get when you support the little guy.
Penumbra indie horror adventure makes its 'Overture'
Penumbra is a 3D horror game by Frictional Games created to show off the studio's proprietary physics engine. It plays like a Resident Evil meets Half-Life 2 mashup -- which is reason enough to give it a try -- but also offers something new in the realm of interactivity. Almost every object you see can be moved, carried, and used. If you can't reach the vent on the ceiling, try piling some junk on the floor to stand on. Steam blocking your path? Cover the open pipe with whatever's lying around. Set in an abandoned factory, Penumbra provides a deliciously dark, spooky atmosphere filled with mystery. The indie gaming community ate up the initial offering, so Frictional Games immediately began work on a commercial-sized helping.The demo for Penumbra: Overture has finally been released. Three episodes are planned over the next year with the first installment hitting March 30 for $19.99. In addition to a longer adventure, Overture promises even better visuals (which were excellent to begin with) and deeper interaction with the game environment. A combat system is also in place, though the focus is on solving environmental puzzles, not shredding baddies.[Via Independent Gaming]
NBC Universal announces Chiller, the HD horror channel
While we've already heard DirecTV's claim to carry 100 HD channels in 2007 (or something like that), we've just found that one of those hundred will be dedicated entirely to the horror genre. NBC Universal has just announced that its first 24/ 7 horror channel, to be dubbed Chiller, will launch in both SD and HD formats on DirecTV. Additionally, NBC plans on offering up Chiller content through video-on-demand, although we don't know if HD VOD plans are in the pipeline. Although long-term programming goals haven't quite been nailed down, users can expect a solid lineup of classic horror content when it launches on March 1st, including Friday the 13th, Twin Peaks, The Shining, Psycho, The Birds, Sphere, The Crew, and quite a bit more. Be sure to hit the read link for the full rundown of initial programming.
Another Silent Hill film in the cards
There will be a Silent Hill 2 movie, according to director Christopher Gans. In an interview with French-language site DVDrama, Gans hopes that the Roger Avery-penned sequel will retain the visual aesthetic of the first film should he be too busy adapting an Onimusha film to take the director's chair. In his hypotehtical absence, Gans would like a European director to take his stead so as to avoid making the film "too Hollywood" (loose translation).Of course, some continuity issues run amok if the films follow the same timeline as the games, most notably the inclusion of Pyramid Head; we'll spare you the spoilers and let you read the film's Wiki page if you are curious. The original Silent Hill film, after initial dismay, eventually grew on me as a mediocre horror flick that proved itself better than a multitude of other game adaptations. Gans hopes that sequel will correct the mistakes of the first movie; let's hope it does so we can finally have a decent game-film to hold up as a pillar by which to compare the rest.[Via Digital Battle]
Rome's mayor demands Rule of Rose ban
Apparently Rome's mayor doesn't think there's any more room on the market for another mediocre horror game; that, or Rule of Rose's erotic themes bugged him too. Either way, Mayor Walter Veltroni is outraged, declaring "There is no way that a violent video game should be sold and distributed in our country." O RLY?Veltroni's beef has grown from a concern about shielding children from mature content. "There is no need for massive doses of horror to entertain our children," he argues. We agree; so slap on the Italian equivalent of an M-rating and move on.[Via GameSpot]
Metareview - F.E.A.R. (Xbox 360)
It's hard to shake the sense that F.E.A.R. is 'so last-year.' With Gears of War and Call of Duty 3 both just days away, and Rainbow Six Vegas debuting later this month, we're not sure there's reason to invest in Monolith's shooter -- at least, not until it lands in the bargain bin. Bottom line: a mostly stable port of the solid PC original, with some decent extras, like Instant Action, tacked on (the achievements are a bitch though).Peep the word: IGN (91/100) - "F.E.A.R. for me was a totally new experience and, as console games go, an excellent one ... While F.E.A.R. has been low on the hype meter for a while ... I think hardcore gamers will discover its greatness real quick" [Another Take]. Team Xbox (87/100) - "While F.E.A.R.'s core story is essentially run-of-the-mill in terms of video game plots, the game makes up for it by creating a world in which danger lurks around every corner. ... If you're looking for an intense shooter that will occasionally scare the living crap out of you, F.E.A.R. is exactly what the doctor ordered." Game Informer (Second Opinion) (80/100) - "Maybe it's because I've played this game before, but F.E.A.R. doesn't get my blood pumping like it once did ... Or maybe it's just because I've played more intense shooters since the original came out ... Those who have played through F.E.A.R. on the PC don't have much reason to pick up the console version..." Current overall average: 87/100
Boo! Clive Barker's Jericho [update 1]
Codemasters is getting in on the Halloween spirit, dropping the first teaser for Clive Barker's Jericho today (see it on Eurogamer). Jericho is Barker's second gaming collaboration, the first being Clive Barker's Undying (published by EA in 2001). Aside from games, the British-born horror novelist has stretched his talents across the film, theatre, paint, and comic mediums.Judging from these early glimpses, the development team is setting a grisly tone, but nothing shockingly novel. Codemasters has gotten too comfortable with its string of racing-sims these past few years. Let's hope a change of direction -- and Barker's imagination -- lends itself to something special, lest Jericho become just another pretender saturating the horror genre. Show us more!Update: corrected Barker's gaming history.
Swarm Dead Rising producer at signing tomorrow
Despite his name, Keiji Inafune clearly isn't the wary type, opting to appear in public tomorrow and openly inviting gamers to inundate him with requests to sign their copies of Dead Rising. The esteemed developer's latest game, yet another entry into the zombie-ridden shopping mall sim genre, has already generated a great deal of buzz, possibly because it allows you to beat undead cretons to a pulp with baseball bats, benches and finely matured wheels of cheese. If you plan on attending the signing event tomorrow, here's what you need to know: Date: Tuesday, August 8, 2006 Time: 4:00PM - 6:00PM Location: EB Games, Redmond Town Center16495 NE 74th StreetRedmond, Washington 98052 (Tel. 425-895-8331) Demeanor: Approachable, but may unexpectedly and infrequently lunge And don't forget, you'll actually have to purchase a copy of the game in order to have it signed. There will be plenty of free Xbox t-shirts, however, no doubt meant to distract the crowd's inherent urge to tear Mr. Inafune limb from limb and devour his brain.
Clive Barker's Jericho announced for next-gen consoles
Creepy author Clive Barker seems to have little trouble moving between entertainment mediums, raising hell in the realms of books, films and video games with his special brand of horror that often involves people getting sharp things shoved into their fleshy bits. The latest game to bear his name and twisted influence is entitled Cliver Barker's Jericho and, thanks to the power of modern consoles, will likely feature the most realistic blood to ever grace your HDTV set.Joining hands with British developer Codemasters and gleefully skipping through the development graveyard, Mr. Barker claims that the project is very close to his heart and that he doesn't think "there's ever been anything like it." He goes on to label it as "the most spectacular, creative, and unflinching realization of a Clive Barker nightmare that will drag players in kicking and screaming." Even scarier is the fact that he now refers to himself in third-person, no doubt brought on by all those nightmares he's so keen on sharing with us. Tasked with wiping out an evil, umm, evil, players will have to deal with a lost city that's mysteriously reappeared in the desert, no doubt returning with its streets lined with all manner of monsters and unpleasantries. The initial screenshots look lovely, though "lovely" may not be the most appropriate word when describing a man with blades for hands, giant staples in his head and what appears to be a nasty case of Gingivitis. We don't particularly look forward to meeting him.If the superb Clive Barker's Undying is anything to go by, however, we do look forward to learning more about Jericho. It's out on next-generation consoles and PC sometime next year.
Nibris hooks publisher for mature-themed Wii title
Nibris has announced that it's found a publisher for its atmospheric horror game, Sadness. However, due to a non-disclosure agreement, the Poland-based developer can't reveal the publisher's name just yet. Here's a hint: with themes like narcolepsy, nyctophobia, and paranoid schizophrenia, it's not Nintendo -- or is it ... ?
Kingly screens for Alan Wake
Worthplaying has posted some Stephen King style screens of Remedy's upcoming author simulator, Alan Wake. The screens showcase the game's creepy seaside town, complete with lighthouse and questionable bridge construction. A game about a sleepless horror writer getting a taste of his own fiction, Alan Wake is currently one of the more interesting titles on the way to 360. Hit the read link for more screens. [Via Evil Avatar]
Self Esteem Boost: PSP horror stories
I can bet that you aren't the type of person who ever thought that playing Lumines in the shower is a good idea. You've probably never struggled with the need to spit some hot Yoga Fire while hanging from your toes atop a high building. If you have had any of these urges, and actually went through with them, having walked away with your PSP completely unharmed, then you need to head on over the official PSP forums for some of the funniest saddest stories ever told.I mean, honestly, why would you ever think that playing your PSP near water, let alone while floating in a pool of it, would be a good idea? I want to be sympathetic to these fine posters' plight, but when daring your father to destroy your expensive handheld, something which he is already very perturbed with, you kind of had it coming.How about some other horror stories?[Via PSP Nation]
"Erotic" themes too much for Sony in America
Rule-of-rose: the tip of the tongue taking a trip of three steps down the palate to tap, at three, on the teeth. Rule. Of. Rose.Alright, so it's not quite Lolita but Sony's Rule of Rose has its own controversy. The Japanese game is being published by Sony in Japan while they've opted to pass on publishing the title in the States. The reason: the game's erotic undertones involving prepubescent girls. Yeah ... err, but that's just what it appears to be! In an interview with Gamasutra, the game's director Shuji Ishikawa explained his motivations and why they thinks there's nothing inappropriate with the content:"Right, the erotic aspect you mentioned earlier isn't supposed to be the main theme. There are definitely erotic parts to it, and some things that might make people uncomfortable, but it's not the focus. It shouldn't be a problem. It's about intimate relationships between all people, not just children, not just girls. There will be people who don't understand it, but others will."And it won't be toned down for the west."Publishing rights in the U.S. are being handled by Atlus who, it appears, have no problem with the content. When asked why they wouldn't be publishing the title in the States, Sony producer Yuya Takayama replied, "How shall I say this...well, when Sony looked at the game, they felt it wasn't really in sync with their corporate image. Their personal pride wanted it to be a bit tamer, if it were to have the Sony name in the U.S. I personally appealed to them that it wasn't that kind of game, but it didn't quite work out for me."Gamers can be relieved that -- unlike many Japanese games whose themes and topics are considered either inappropriate or untranslatable -- Rule of Rose will be coming to the States despite our often puritanical inhibitions. However, you can be sure this isn't the last we've heard of this "controversy."[Thanks, cringer8](Update: embedded trailer after the break for additional context. Great comments!)
Gears of War: the box
We're still not sure when this so-called 'Emergence Day' is ... but at least, now, we know what the Gears of War box is gonna look like: My Marcus, what a big gun you have! You wouldn't be compensating for any shortcomings, would you?Check out: Hands-on with Gears of War multiplayer.
Alone in the Dark to bite TV formula
Eden Games has decided to adopt an episodic format for its next-gen horror sequel, Alone in the Dark. The game will be chopped into episodes, each containing 30–40 minutes of gameplay that ends with a cliffhanger and a preview of things to come. In addition, each episode will be preceded by a brief video summary of previous events. Eden is hoping that this format, popularized by TV dramas, will get players "permanently hooked."Rather than digitally distribute each episode, the entire "season" with be packaged onto one disk. Players are free to play through multiple episodes in one sitting, but the idea is to approach the game in short bouts, as if following a weekly television series.It's different than what we've seen in most contemporary adventure games, which tend to mimic feature films, but Alone in the Dark is still biting from an established format. With that said, does the game industry need to stop holding the hands of the film and television industries and step, alone, into the dark?
Silent Hill tops weekend box office
Despite a disastrous critical reception, Silent Hill has climbed to the top of the box office following a lucrative opening weekend in which the film grossed about $20.2 million. Of course, this comes at a time when the film industry is in a down cycle as it gears up for the summer blockbuster season. Silent Hill's biggest competition was Scary Movie 4, which was entering its second weekend of release.[Thanks, Sean]
Metareview - Silent Hill (the movie)
You've read our take on Silent Hill, now it's time to sum up what the film critics are saying. Currently, Metacritic has posted 14 reviews, which average out to a 29/100. For the record, this is the last time we will ever — EVER — get our hopes up for a movie adaptation of a video game.Choice quotes: Chicago Sun-Times (38/100) - "My damn brain lit up too much." [Roger Ebert] The New York Times (10/100) - "[Wraps] up like the outrageously overwrought fantasy of a French movie nerd obsessed with horror ... who has been given obscene amounts of money to adapt a video game." [Nathan Lee] San Francisco Chronicle (0/100) - "Nobody gets naked, which on second thought may be a good thing — because when a movie features people getting their skin ripped from their bodies, it pretty much kills the mood." [Peter Hartlaub]
