Shipwrecked 64

Forget about analog horror: let's talk about analog nostalgia! Shipwrecked 64 is a retro-inspired game that reminds us of the happiest moments we spent playing games on the beloved Nintendo 64, without all those bothersome things like a killer cult, degrading sanity, unsettling ARGs, or even blood! Okay, I lied – Shipwrecked 64 is absolutely a horror game, and a rather disturbing one at that.

Continuing the trend of mascot horror, Shipwrecked 64 presents itself as an unearthed game from the late 90s. As players delve into the seemingly innocent mysteries of Nulla Terra, they begin to uncover a conspiracy that goes deeper than what anyone could have expected.

If you're a fan of ARGs like No Players Online, then Shipwrecked 64 will most certainly be your cup of tea.

Mascots of DOOM

For some reason, the newest generation is obsessed with mascot horror. Ever since Five Nights at Freddy's took the scene, we've seen a continuous influx of these games hitting digital storefronts relentlessly. Things like Baldi's Basics and Poppy Playtime would have been laughed at a decade ago. Now, they're the new faces of horror.

Shipwrecked 64 continues the tradition of putting cuddly animals in unsettling situations. The game sells you the idea that what you're playing is actually a salvaged copy of a mysterious game from the 90s. Apparently, the people responsible for the game had some very twisted minds – or just didn't know how the ESRB operates.

That said, Shipwrecked 64 excels at understanding its source material, delivering an experience that fans of retro games will surely appreciate.

Polygonal Bliss (and Horror)

If there's one thing that Shipwrecked 64 does exceptionally well, that would be recreating the entire vibe of a Nintendo 64 game. From the visuals to the clunky controls and the fixed camera angles, this is a game that will transport you back to the glory days of late 90s gaming.

As an analog horror game, the atmosphere is vital for Shipwrecked 64. Thankfully, the game nails the idea of being a deceptively kids-friendly game harboring disturbing secrets under its saccharine exterior.

Still, even if this wasn't a horror game, I think Shipwrecked 64 is one of the best Nintendo 64 lookalikes I've seen in years. Everything from the character models to the distance fog looks exactly as it did in the N64. There was always some sort of surreal atmosphere in early 3D games like Super Mario 64, and this game nails that foreboding sense of dread we all felt as kids playing those games.

Surreal Frights

The horror in Shipwrecked 64 appears gradually, delighting in a sense of dread and anticipation rather than outright shocking the player with cheap jumpscares or loud noises. There are some of those, sure, but the game has so much more than just that to offer.

Shipwrecked 64 features two modes: one where you play a straightforward "unfinished" game, and one where you play a "cursed" version of the same title. One of them – the supposedly cursed one – features a degradation mechanic. Basically, your actions in the game 'degrade' the levels, corrupting them and making them increasingly scarier. Think Petscop but with more cute animals.

In the end, I had a great time with Shipwrecked 64, even if I'm not the greatest fan of the whole mascot horror movement. Still, as someone who enjoys a proper scary game, this one doesn't disappoint.

Pros

• Faithfully recreates the atmosphere of late 90s 3D games
• Lots of hidden unsettling moments
• Almost every scare feels well earned, instead of relying on cheap scare tactics

Cons

• There are still lots of cheap scares
• Can be a bit too cryptic for its own good
• The 'lore' isn't as well-written as it could have been