How Pilgrim of Darkness Could Change The Tune For Horror Games

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Back in the late ’90s and early 2000s, I found myself immersed in what could be called the glory days of AAA horror video games. It was during this era that giants like Capcom, Konami, Square Enix, and even Nintendo dared to step into the terrifying realm of horror gaming. Games like Silent Hill 2, Resident Evil, Parasite Eve, and Eternal Darkness, which are still considered some of the best horror titles ever made, saw their release during this time. To top it off, publishers also took risks by releasing unconventional horror games that challenged the norms of the genre. Games like Haunting Ground (developed by Capcom) and Fatal Frame (by Koei Tecmo) were among those that tested the limits of fear.

Over the past ten years or so, the horror genre has progressively lost its appeal in the big-budget video game industry. Nowadays, major publishers tend to avoid launching new games in this category, with exceptions being those that belong to established series such as Resident Evil and Silent Hill. Fortunately, indie developers have stepped up to fill the gap left by the scarcity of AAA horror games. Games like Mouthwashing, Sons of the Forest, and Phasmophobia, which are among the most original and acclaimed horror titles of recent years, were produced entirely by independent studios. There is also a multitude of other similar games in development.

Indie Horror Game Fans Should Check Out Pilgrim of Darkness

A noteworthy indie game that horror enthusiasts might want to monitor is “Pilgrim of Darkness.” This game, recently announced, is being developed by VIWESA Games, a small studio based in Ukraine. Prior to this, VIWESA Games hadn’t ventured into the horror genre with their projects. Their previous works, “Agent Nunoz” and “Space Killer,” were a text-based RPG and a roguelike shooter respectively. Even one of their other upcoming titles, “Portilus – Civitas Sanguinis,” is a turn-based RPG set in ancient Rome. Therefore, “Pilgrim of Darkness” offers a unique experience compared to their usual productions.

Pilgrim of Darkness is a First-Person Co-Op Survival Horror Game With a Unique Twist

On its Steam page, “Pilgrim of Darkness” is presented as a first-person survival horror game that includes cooperative multiplayer. As described by VIWESA Games, the story unfolds within a dark fantasy setting where two celestial deities, the Sun God and the Moon God, once reigned. Despite living in harmony for ages, the tranquility was shattered when the Moon God launched an assault on the Sun God, leading to a fierce battle that resulted in the Sun God’s defeat. With the Sun God now absent, the world is engulfed in perpetual darkness and overrun by demons from another dimension.

In the game titled “Pilgrim of Darkness“, players assume the role of an anonymous follower of the Cult of Light, a faith dedicated to resurrecting the Sun Deity by performing a specific rite believed to rekindle light across the world. The revival process involves gathering unique crystals which are obtainable by engaging and vanquishing bosses in combat. Initially, this objective may seem straightforward; however, it becomes challenging due to the game’s lack of weapons and a fear mechanism that makes the player character more detectable by enemies. As the protagonist progresses through “Pilgrim of Darkness“, they can become frightened, causing them to emit a strong white glow that draws nearby monsters. The more afraid they are, the simpler it becomes for enemies to locate them.

Pilgrim of Darkness’s Fear Mechanic May Make the Game More Challenging

While weaponless survival horror games aren’t a novel idea, finding games that employ a terror system like Pilgrim of Darkness is somewhat rare. This unique feature could potentially make the game more challenging to finish compared to other games in its category due to the added complexity it provides. Additionally, the fear system in Pilgrim of Darkness might introduce an intriguing element to cooperative multiplayer, as it may prompt players to tread carefully rather than acting recklessly.

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2025-05-29 21:08