Anthology of Fear

Sometimes you have to stop and ask, how many of these urban psychological horror games will we get? So many releases have the same theme, visuals, and mechanics and very little in the story. It's getting to a point where we wonder how people are still playing these. But then again, we could quickly change our minds when seeing seemingly well-produced titles like Anthology of Fear.

The main genre struggle is that many different titles emerge that lack a polished edge or feel rushed in development. From the initial screens, Anthology of Fear looks to have that extra coat of paint that could provide a more compelling experience and not just follow the standard first-person walking simulator with a few jump scares. Let's hope we're proven right with that assumption!

Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?

Our head sinks a little as soon as we discover the narrative of Anthology of Fear. Can somebody diverge from this whole "family members disappears and I must find the truth" thing? It's become repetitive to a point where it detracts from the values of psychological horror and doesn't set the game up well for immersion. But maybe that's just the genre standard these days, and how the plot is executed counts more for something.

Despite the bland narrative, Anthology of Fear becomes more respectable as you find twists and turns in the game. The interactions with the title's more exciting background and characters make navigating this nightmare more terrifying. You will find plenty of scares progressing through each level. Tragedies, mysteries, and creepiness fill the void of an intricate storyline.

The visuals are also a core element in bringing the psychological horror experience to life. There's an emotional level of realism to help put the narrative into perspective and make the games more shocking and moving. The animations also elevate the series of puzzles, removing any idea that Anthology of Fear is just another minimalist indie title.

For once, you can walk through a horror title based on samey principles and not feel like you've experienced just another psychological horror game. The production value is high, and there's a great attempt to bring the devil into the detail, where the straightforward narrative includes richer story elements to keep players intrigued throughout.

Panoramic Paranormal

Anthology of Fear has a Phasmophobia vibe in the visual and thematic sense, where the former is stripped down mechanically. However, it's a more refreshing experience from the typical genre games we see today that lack rhyme, reason, and, more importantly, effort. Despite a stereotypical storyline, players will quickly become immersed in the game and are mainly motivated to finish it.

Round-Up - Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Fantastic visual setup that brings atmosphere • High production value makes the game more immersive • Plenty of detail that injects more life into the narrative

Cons:

• Stereotypical storyline • Some areas of the game can feel like a grind