Skip Is the latest survival horror game to hit the scene, earning us a reason to take notice when VG247 previously touted it as one of its most anticipated horror titles? With a distinctive expertise paying tribute to cult classics while crafting a uniquely personal legacy.
Operating under the radar as Mica, a covert black market entrepreneur in a gritty, post-apocalyptic London. In the world of Hollowbody, Mica’s home appears sleek and futuristic, with flying cars and vibrant neon lights, but it’s the isolation of the exclusion zone that will consume much of your journey as you accompany her in the desperate search for her missing partner, Sasha. As gruesome remnants of newspaper clippings, faded posters, and the stark silence of countless corpses slowly unfold, a haunting tale of devastation emerges: an exclusion zone ravaged by unmitigated catastrophe, leaving in its wake a trail of civilian casualties and abandoned properties, stripped bare of all human life. Actually, the creature appears to have been manufactured in a lab, thereby pre-dating the events you are familiar with, and Hollowbody now presents a chilling precursor to Resident Evil’s unsettling biological horrors.
However, this isn’t the entire tale of Hollowbody’s history either. As Mica, you’re invited to immerse yourself in a richly detailed and thought-provoking realm, where crumbling architecture and deserted streets whisper secrets of the past, and the stories of those who once inhabited these spaces unfold like a tantalizing mystery. As new findings emerge and radio signals come into focus, the rapid shifts can’t help but evoke parallels between the protagonists’ journeys and the genuine realities faced by people in 2024? While Hollowbody may initially evoke a sense of dystopia and futurism, its narrative ultimately serves as a piercing commentary on our world’s pressing issues.
While Hollowbody may reward the most devoted players, it serves as a tantalizing appetizer for fans eagerly anticipating the Silent Hill 2 remake. In meticulously crafting environments, enemies, and soundscapes, Hollowbody masterfully captures the eerie essence of Silent Hill, while introducing a fresh and unique gaming experience that sets it apart from others in its genre. In the shadows, deceitful entities resembling Mendacity Figures slink about, some sporting eerie tentacle-like appendages on their foreheads, a possible nod to the Las Plagas-infused horrors from Resident Evil 4.
The soundtrack exudes an air of foreboding reminiscent of Akira Yamaoka’s haunting scores for Silent Hill, its industrial cadence weaving a sense of taut unease that defies relaxation. Even the game’s eerie UI sends shivers down my spine, reminiscent of Signalis, another Silent Hill-inspired indie title that fails to impress me sufficiently. Here’s a refined version of your text: To put it succinctly, Hollowbody is a survival horror experience that evokes nostalgia for classic PSX-era horror games, executed with unwavering dedication.
For enthusiasts who derive immense pleasure from Hollowbody, including its unique blend of feelings, exciting news awaits: additional content is now available in-store for the game. Here the experience wasn’t merely brief, lasting approximately five to six hours although, with any luck, you’ll be able to complete it much more quickly than my own endeavour. Nonetheless, there exist hidden conclusions and Easter eggs awaiting discovery through additional playthroughs. When you consider the developer’s canine involvement in a hidden conclusion, the association with Silent Hill 2 is quite striking, isn’t it? With the introduction of a first-person perspective in later playthroughs, along with added challenges and a bonus Ghost in the Shell-inspired attire for protagonist Mica, players who complete the game can unlock a unique and immersive experience.
As you navigate the crumbling British streets of Hollowbody, piecing together the fragmented stories of those who once called this place home, you’ll also uncover a deeper reality: there’s far more to Hollowbody than initially meets the eye. I’m not discussing clandestine conclusions and hidden surprises.
Suppose labyrinthine corridors and ecosystems eerily reminiscent of Scorn and the Borderlands – echoes of a cinematic experience akin to Elliot Goldner’s 2013 film, not the video game series – or fleeting, ‘blink and miss it’ moments that evoke Sam Barlow’s thought-provoking Immortality. As you delve into the world of Hollowbody, be prepared for an unpredictable experience that will test your perception of reality, so keep a keen eye on your surroundings at all times? That’s all I’ll say.
Nathan Hamley, a solo developer at Headware Video Games, successfully crowdfunded Hollowbody through Kickstarter, but the project still has some way to go, with the final stretch goal aiming to add a mall setting inspired by Silent Hill 3. The latest feature to receive funding, rather than being merely added, is the ability to set enemy corpses ablaze, inspired by The Evil Within.
Hollowbody is a stunning tribute to Hamley’s craftsmanship, boasting an extraordinary internal world of its own. But what truly sets it apart is its affectionate nod to various cult classic horror and sci-fi video games, rendering my experience all the more enchanting; this is how you successfully adapt influences while crafting a distinct adventure in essence. While avoiding direct comparisons to its inspirations, Hollowbody stands out as a unique entity, weaving together disparate threads to deliver a fresh take on the survival horror genre that will captivate fans seeking something novel and exciting.
The reviewer played Hollowbody on PC, courtesy of the developer’s provided code.
