News

PERCEPTION: Gothic Horror Meets Innovative Indie

Published

7 years ago

June 9, 2017

Lately, Indie games have become some of my centrally favorite treats in the realm of videogames. The concise format has become a relaxing getaway from mainstream, massive open-world games that tend to makeup the majority of releases nowadays. Perception is undoubtedly a notable standout in recent indie titles when it comes to innovative story delivery but not all parts follows through.

Perception follows Cassie as she heads out to visit an abandoned mansion that she has been haunted by in dreams. A lot of the setup feels vaguely familiar to Gone Home, with one huge divisive addition… Cassie is blind. Being blind she is only able to navigate using “echolocation,” a sort of Daredevil-esque way of sensing the world around you.

Using echolocation in the game relies on sounds in any given space. For example, tapping your cane on the floor sends out waves allowing you to catch glimpses of your environment. This becomes horrifying for two blaring reasons, you guys. For one, you are having to make noise in order to “see.” And two, when you aren’t tapping your screen is completely black. Once you learn the mechanics of the game, an ominous force known as the Presence, will come find you if you make too much noise. This leaves you rationing the amount of times you are allowed to tap your cane, while trying to navigate the spooky house.

This first-person experience is all about exploration and mostly plays out through audio-recordings or notes left around the house. Phone apps that were designed to assist the blind come into play, as Cassie can turn text to speech, or send other users pics of whatever images she needs deciphered.

Perception, is broken into four different stories, each taking place in a different era. In each era, Cassie discovers the fates of different residents who have lived and died in the house. Each classically gothic horror story is based partly on fact and unravels in dark and unexpected ways.

The stories end up taking center stage in terms of what will keep you playing through the game as a whole. A lot of the divisive mechanics that make the game a standout, become gimmicky at times even a complete nuisance. When you start the game off, tapping your cane and taking in pulses of your surroundings is spine-chilling, but towards the end of the game you will find yourself tapping with little to no caution. The Tales from the Crypt-ish anthology stories, are the real meat of this meal and at times will cause some goose bump-inducing jump scares.

I found it really interesting that when beginning a new game, you are given an option that will either allow Cassie to pedantically speak in-game or to keep silent. This has become something I’m fascinated with as of late. Silent protagonists in games allow the player to feel like they are truly stepping into the shoes of the character. Sometimes when protagonists speak, it can immediately break any immersion may have been built up. I chose to keep Cassie with her in game voice and soon changed that option back to the quiet approach. Cassie’s reaction to scary moments isn’t believable, a lot of times her response is filled with bravado and would be a better fit for Ash from Evil Dead. I highly recommend playing this one without a chatty Cassie.

Perception, achieves tons of innovation in a game that would have felt too much like Gone Home without the echolocation mechanics. If you go in knowing this isn’t a fast-paced or over strictly terrifying game, you will get the absolute most out of the story. I appreciate the concise short story telling delivery system that it does achieve, and even when the mechanics that may have sold you on this game begin to get old, a well told story will keep you held for in place for a satisfying finale.

Perception is out now on PC, Playstation 4 and Xbox One.

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Related Topics:first-person Horror Perception PS4

Editorial

Yay or Nay: What’s Good and Bad in Horror This Week

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Welcome to Yay or Nay a weekly mini post about what I think is good and bad news in the horror community written in bite-sized chunks.

Yay:

Mike Flanagan talking about directing the next chapter in the Exorcist trilogy. That might mean he saw the last one and realized there were two left and if he does anything well it’s draw out a story.

Yay:

To the announcement of a new IP-based film Mickey Vs Winnie. It’s fun to read comical hot takes from people who haven’t even seen the movie yet.

Nay:

The new Faces of Death reboot gets an R rating. It’s not really fair — Gen-Z should get an unrated version like past generations so they can question their mortality the same as the rest of us did.

Yay:

Russell Crowe is doing another possession movie. He’s quickly becoming another Nic Cage by saying yes to every script, bringing the magic back to B-movies, and more money into VOD.

Nay:

Putting The Crow back in theaters for its 30th anniversary. Re-releasing classic movies at the cinema to celebrate a milestone is perfectly fine, but doing so when the lead actor in that film was killed on set due to neglect is a cash grab of the worst kind.

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Lists

The Top-Searched Free Horror/Action Movies on Tubi This Week

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2024

Timothy Rawles

The free streaming service Tubi is a great place to scroll when you’re unsure what to watch. They are not sponsored or affiliated with iHorror. Still, we really appreciate their library because it’s so robust and has many obscure horror movies so rare you can’t find them anywhere in the wild except, if you’re lucky, in a moist cardboard box at a yard sale. Other than Tubi, where else are you going to find Nightwish (1990), Spookies (1986), or The Power (1984)?

We take a look at the most searched horror titles on the platform this week, hopefully, to save you some time in your endeavor to find something free to watch on Tubi.

Interestingly at the top of the list is one of the most polarizing sequels ever made, the female-led Ghostbusters reboot from 2016. Perhaps viewers have seen the latest sequel Frozen Empire and are curious about this franchise anomaly. They will be happy to know it’s not as bad as some think and is genuinely funny in spots.

So take a look at the list below and tell us if you are interested in any of them this weekend.

1. Ghostbusters (2016)

Ghostbusters (2016)

An otherworldly invasion of New York City assembles a pair of proton-packed paranormal enthusiasts, a nuclear engineer and a subway worker for battle.An otherworldly invasion of New York City assembles a pair of proton-packed paranormal enthusiasts, a nuclear engineer and a subway worker for battle.

2. Rampage

When a group of animals becomes vicious after a genetic experiment goes awry, a primatologist must find an antidote to avert a global catastrophe.

3. The Conjuring The Devil Made Me Do It

Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren uncover an occult conspiracy as they help a defendant argue that a demon forced him to commit murder.

4. Terrifier 2

After being resurrected by a sinister entity, Art the Clown returns to Miles County, where his next victims, a teenage girl and her brother, await.

5. Don’t Breathe

A group of teens breaks into a blind man’s home, thinking they’ll get away with the perfect crime but get more than they bargained for once inside.

6. The Conjuring 2

In one of their most terrifying paranormal investigations, Lorraine and Ed Warren help a single mother of four in a house plagued by sinister spirits.

7. Child’s Play (1988)

A dying serial killer uses voodoo to transfer his soul into a Chucky doll which winds up in the hands of a boy who may be the doll’s next victim.

8. Jeepers Creepers 2

When their bus breaks down on a deserted road, a team of high school athletes discovers an opponent they cannot defeat and may not survive.

9. Jeepers Creepers

After making a horrific discovery in the basement of an old church, a pair of siblings find themselves the chosen prey of an indestructible force.

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

News

Morticia & Wednesday Addams Join Monster High Skullector Series

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Believe it or not, Mattel’s Monster High doll brand has an immense following with both young and not-so-young collectors.

In that same vein, the fan base for The Addams Family is also very large. Now, the two are collaborating to create a line of collectible dolls that celebrate both worlds and what they have created is a combination of fashion dolls and goth fantasy. Forget Barbie, these ladies know who they are.

The dolls are based on Morticia and Wednesday Addams from the 2019 Addams Family animated movie.

As with any niche collectibles these aren’t cheap they bring with them a $90 price tag, but it’s an investment as a lot of these toys become more valuable over time.

“There goes the neighborhood. Meet the Addams Family’s ghoulishly glamorous mother-daughter duo with a Monster High twist. Inspired by the animated movie and clad in spiderweb lace and skull prints, the Morticia and Wednesday Addams Skullector doll two-pack makes for a gift that’s so macabre, it’s downright pathological.”

If you want to pre-purchase this set check out The Monster High website.