Two Upcoming Horror Games Could Be The Gateway To a New Subgenre

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Two Upcoming Horror Games Could Be The Gateway To a New Subgenre

Key Takeaways

  • Zoochosis and Reanimal are two upcoming horror games focusing on animal body horror, potentially setting a new trend.
  • The horror genre is seemingly evolving to experiment with animal body horror, offering unique and versatile scares.
  • These games may inspire other developers to explore animal-centric body horror, adding the diversity of the genre.

As a seasoned horror enthusiast who’s been through countless nightmares and survived them all, I can confidently say that the upcoming games Zoochosis and Reanimal are about to take my fear to a whole new level! I’ve seen it all – from the eerie longlegs to the terrifying Alien: Romulus. But these animal-centric body horror games seem to have a unique twist that’ll leave me quivering in anticipation.

One of the most treasured categories in storytelling is the genre of Horror. The primary allure of this genre lies in its rich diversity of ideas and themes it can explore. Horror narratives can be grounded on a vast array of concepts, ranging from the subtly chilling psychological suspense found in stories like “Longlegs“, to the viscerally disturbing terror depicted in films such as “Alien: Romulus“. The adaptability and range of horror narratives remains captivating.

Horror narratives can be exceptionally engaging when presented through video games. These narratives, much like their counterparts in film or TV, show a remarkable level of versatility, if not surpassing it in some aspects. From masterpieces like “The Last of Us” to classics such as “Resident Evil”, the realm of horror in gaming is vast and diverse. Sometimes, similar concepts emerge simultaneously, setting trends and shaping directions. Two forthcoming horror games, “Zoochosis” and “Reanimal”, appear poised to contribute to this evolution by focusing more on body horror with an animal-centric twist.

Zoochosis and Reanimal Aim For Animal-Focused Scares

Subverting Body Horror Expectations

In terms of body horror, it’s generally centered around humans experiencing a gruesome end. Games such as Dead Space and The Evil Within explore the possibilities of grotesque transformations that the human body can undergo. Over time, this theme has become prevalent in the genre due to its adaptability. For instance, the cordyceps-infected humans from The Last of Us and the disfigured inhabitants of Outlast’s Mount Massive Asylum offer distinct portrayals of how humans can undergo shocking deformations.

Currently, animals are being subjected to gruesome bodily transformation experiments, with the innovative concept originating from Zoochosis, announced earlier this year. This novel approach to body horror is showcased in a video game that combines zoo management and a horrifying display of metamorphosis. At first glance, a game that blends these two genres may not seem appealing, but early previews suggest otherwise.

  • Zoochosis is set to be released on September 30, while Reanimal has yet to reveal a launch date.

The new game from Tarsier Studios, titled “Reanimal“, is just as thrilling because it’s been their first release since “Little Nightmare 2“. While the visual style and atmosphere of “Reanimal” resembles that of the “Little Nightmares” series, it appears that this forthcoming title will delve significantly deeper into its horror aspects. Although the trailer for “Reanimal” features many of the gruesome human-like characters seen in “Little Nightmares“, this spiritual successor also unveils a variety of spine-tingling animal hybrids that seem to have materialized from a terrifying dream.

Reanimal accompanies a sibling duo on their quest to flee from a horrifying replica of their residence, all the while seeking their companions along the way.

Setting the Stage For Other Horror Games to Follow Suit

There’s a chance we might not see an immediate explosion of creepy animal body horror stories, but if Zoochosis and Reanimal turn out to be hits, it wouldn’t be unexpected to see more similar titles emerge. While Zoochosis appears to specialize in jump scares, Reanimal aims to give players the creeps by getting under their skin. This shows how diverse horror genres can be. Although both games focus on animal body horror, they approach it in entirely different ways. It looks like the realm of animal-focused body horror is a fertile, unexplored territory that could inspire developers for years to come as they experiment with new ideas.

Zoochosis
is single-player, while
Reanimal
is two-player co-op.

As the launch dates for “Zoochosis” and “Reanimal” approach, it promises an intriguing comparison with other horror games focused on body themes. The genre of body horror is versatile, making its tardy exploration in relation to animals quite surprising.

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2024-09-17 20:33