Dread Delusion

Open-world games have been around for longer than most people imagine. And they used to look really bad, but that had a certain charm that's completely different from all the beauty and magnificence of modern games. Here is an example of one of those early open-world games: Dread Delusion, but there's actually a catch here, and it's that Dread Delusion was actually released in 2020. It's made to completely look and feel like those old games, and it has a lot of elements we see in "modern" classics. So it's pretty much a combination of both worlds. But what is Dread Delusion all about? Well, let's talk about it!

About the game

You may not find it very appealing at first glance, but still, you should stop by and check out Dread Delusion, as its macabre style and some gruesome enemy designs make it quite peculiar. This indie game is an RPG in development that carries a set of otherworldly occult styles, plus a set of early 2000s PSX graphics.

Likewise, it's impossible not to pull out some references to other games like Dark Souls, though its open-world is smaller with a central quest in exploration and side quests to complete. Developers Lovely Hellplace promises that fighting will never be the only option, saying that "with a varied skill system, there's always an alternative to combat. Charm people, pick locks, or use your hidden knowledge."

"The world is broken. Its surface boils with an undead curse, while humanity clings to flying continents in the sky. From mushroom forests to undead mausoleums, strange places and people await you. But will you find a way to heal this world or will you seek power and profit for yourself?" reads its Steam description.

A scary adventure

We could say that Dead Delusion is also inspired by modern classics such as The Elder Scrolls III, IV, and V (Morrowind, Oblivion, and Skyrim, respectively) and From Software titles (more specifically Dark Souls and the vintage King's Field like we previously mentioned).

The Lovely Hellplace team, in charge of the development of Dread Delusion, talks about the combat system with the following statements: "You will be able to fight, yes, but the direct conflict will never be the only option. With a varied skill system, you might find other options beyond fighting. Charming people, stealing or using secret knowledge, to give examples".

It is possible that, if Skyrim had a demake with horror overtones, Dread Delusion would be the result. Here you can also create your own path, become a sharp mind or a witty charmer who can be very useful with a sword. In addition, your decisions will shape how the story unfolds.

Pros:

• Unique art style
• Lots of secrets to discover
• Skill-based combat

Cons:

• Difficulty can be too high for some players
• Hard to recommend