The horror game anthology exploring the dark side of social media

This story within an overarching ‘mega lore’ puts players in the shoes of Anne, a young woman trapped in a Freddy Kruger-esque nightmare shaped by the toxic influences of social media.

The trailer shows creature manifestations of issues like cyberbullying, body image, and dissociation while a YouTube personality provides what we presume will be rare moments of comfort. The narrative reportedly draws on real experiences and traumas shared by online creators including Filipino-American vlogger Akidearest (Agnes Yulo Diego).

‘Social medias are really addicting spaces and I think it’s just as good as it is bad,’ she explained recently. ‘I think it’s a great way that people express themselves and get connected, but I also think it’s very damaging to your mental health.’

The perilous and fragmented realities presented by the games in this anthology have been created with real thought and nuance, and that’s partly why they’re resonating well with audiences on PC and Steam. In-fact, the upcoming entry is slated for release on PlayStation 5 with enhanced DualSense features on account of its positive reception.

Numerous studies have shown that gamers take great satisfaction in overcoming adversity, and gaming studios are increasingly leaning on real life themes like psychosis, trauma, and grief to create a valuable and emotive narrative experience.

Off the top of my head, just recently, we’ve had Senua’s Sacrifice, the entire Life is Strange series, Still Wakes the Deep, Tell Me Why, and Silent Hill: The Short Message. Clearly, for whatever reason, there’s an appetite from gamers to explore difficult themes and confront grim realities.

Having played my share from this growing subgenre, I believe there’s something in the notion that people may be, knowingly or not, playing these titles to cultivate a feeling of agency over tangible struggles. In the same way that all films aren’t about escapism, there’s genuine depth and introspection that can come from the challenges these games present.

We look forward to playing the anthology in its entirety after all four games hit the market.