Holstin Has Classic Resident Evil Meets Disco Elysium Vibes

Holstin Has Classic Resident Evil Meets Disco Elysium Vibes

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I can confidently say that Holstin has piqued my interest like few games have in recent memory. With its dark, atmospheric art style reminiscent of a twisted fairy tale and a haunting soundtrack that sends shivers down my spine, it’s easy to see the influences of Resident Evil and Disco Elysium at play here.


Among the most influential video games from recent decades, it’s safe to say that Resident Evil would definitely be included. Similarly, if we were to discuss impactful indie games in today’s scene, Disco Elysium would certainly qualify too. The unbridled creativity in games like Disco Elysium and the undiluted, horror-filled atmosphere of Resident Evil provide a rich landscape for future game development.

Step into the world of an upcoming Polish survival horror game called Holstin, heavily influenced by classic titles in the genre. Holstin, accessible via a demo on Steam, grabs your attention with its unsettling yet gorgeous art style, spine-tingling soundtrack, and powerful voice acting. However, it also echoes several significant influences. From the game’s visuals to its mechanics and apparent storylines, parallels can be drawn to popular games such as Resident Evil and Disco Elysium. It seems that these diverse sources of inspiration are coalescing to create something entirely fresh and unanticipated.

Holstin: Resident Evil, Disco Elysium, and a Heavy Dose of X-Factor

Holstin Is Channeling Old-School Horror and Isometric CRPG Flair

As a gamer, I can tell you that Holstin is like stepping into a chilling horror game where I find myself in an alien and perilous setting. My character, named Tomasz, is on a mission to track down a missing friend, leading me to a mysterious rural town. From the get-go, it’s evident that something is amiss, as everything is coated with a bizarre, otherworldly slime, and the inhabitants of this place are either slowly descending into madness or have transformed into wild beasts. Caught in this enigmatic net of supernatural and psychological perils, Tomasz has to dig for the truth while doing everything he can to survive.

It’s important to give credit where it’s due, particularly to the art design in Holstin’s games. While many indie games utilize pixel graphics to establish a distinctive and budget-friendly visual style, Holstin manages to push boundaries by skillfully applying perspective, VFX, and sprites to create a chilling and tangible virtual environment that feels real. The game stands out visually, offering a refreshing change for those tired of high-definition AAA horror games.

In certain aspects, the visual style and mood in Holstin bear resemblance to Disco Elysium. Like Disco Elysium, Holstin uses an isometric perspective in its gameplay, restricting camera control and creating a more intense atmosphere of fear, paranoia, and powerlessness. Additionally, both games share similarities in their world-building, such as the dilapidated and run-down Eastern European setting that aligns Holstin with Disco Elysium’s grand work by ZA/UM.

Holstin’s storyline appears to draw some inspiration from ‘Roadside Picnic,’ a novel that birthed series like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. In simpler terms, the story seems to be influenced by Roadside Picnic, a novel that gave rise to games such as S.T.A.L.K.E.R.

From a passionate fan’s perspective, I can say that Holstin showcases its roots in classic survival horror games, particularly the Resident Evil series. The core gameplay revolves around environmental puzzles reminiscent of the original Resident Evil, resource management, and nerve-wracking combat encounters that create a tense atmosphere. However, it doesn’t shy away from modern influences either. During combat sequences, the game transitions to an over-the-shoulder perspective, infusing it with third-person shooter elements similar to recent Resident Evil titles. Even the user interface mirrors aspects of Resident Evil and other similar franchises, such as displaying 3D models of newly collected items on screen.

Despite not yet being fully unveiled, initial previews of Holstin suggest an enticing outlook. It might stir memories of contemporary indie hits such as Conscript and Signalis, both characterized by their obvious homage to classic survival horror genres, yet offering fresh spins and innovative twists on these foundations to produce something exceptionally distinctive. The eerie ambiance, captivating sound design, engaging gameplay, and visually stunning art style of Holstin promise a nerve-wracking adventure – here’s hoping the suspense and fear it generates will persist throughout the entire game.

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2024-09-15 01:23