Going to anything even remotely close to a group gathering is an immediate no-go for people with a fear of large crowds. But what happens when a person who loves public life and being around a lot of people suddenly finds themself in a situation where everyone in the event they are at can't be trusted? Green Tile Digital's Strobophagia-Rave Horror perfectly encapsulates that feeling.
Placing the player on a neon-tinged island during a rave festival, it is quickly discovered that the only way to enter through a door is to forfeit your life. From that point forward, it is up to the payer to escape from a group of mannequin-Esque-looking people who wear neon masks and a forest that feels as if it is alive. Visually, the game is a stunning look into the chaos and feeling of confusion that some rave festivals can give off.
The game itself acts as its own character, and each aspect of the world is used to create an uneasy paranoia about the people inhabiting this party. Who knew a concert could be so creepy? Gameplay-wise there are standard first-person controls to move and attack, but most communication in the game is conducted through a smartphone that the player must use to talk to some guests and interact with puzzles. The puzzles are one of the more different aspects of the game as it helps to distract from the unease that is felt in the game. However, while there are many puzzles, the horror doesn't always hit its mark and could have potentially spent more time being developed to be fully fleshed out. That being said, nothing really beats the startling feeling that comes from turning around and one of the creepy guests is directly behind you.
Strobophagia-Rave Horror is a game that dares to be different with its horror. While they have succeeded in breaking the mold of traditional survival horror, there really isn't enough scares to help fully realize its vision. Visually the game is unlike anything that has been seen in the genre, and should Green Tile Digital continue to make games that bring fear to events or activities that aren't inherently scary, they could corner a very niche area of gaming and horror.
Strobophagia-Rave Horror 5.5/10
Following a promise of the ultimate expression of freedom, you find yourself at the Headless Rave Festival. However, that freedom comes at a cost as the organisers announce that the price of admission is the lives of all attendees. Find a way to escape, even as the forest itself appears to work against you.
Strobophagia-Rave Horror is available now on Steam!
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