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World of Horror

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World of Horror
Developer(s)Paweł Koźmiński
Publisher(s)Ysbryd Games
EngineGameMaker Studio
Platform(s)
ReleaseWindows, Mac
October 19, 2023[1]
PS4, PS5, Switch
October 26, 2023[2]
Genre(s)Role-playing, horror
Mode(s)

World of Horror, also known by its Japanese title Kyōfu no Sekai (恐怖の世界), is a role-playing video game with a 1-bit pixel art style inspired by the works of H. P. Lovecraft and Junji Ito.[3] The game was created by Polish developer Paweł Koźmiński and published by Ysbryd Games.[4] It was released into early access on February 20, 2020 through Steam, GOG.com, and Microsoft Store.[5][6][7] The full game was released on October 19, 2023 for macOS and Windows. It was released on October 26 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5.[1][2]

The game takes place in the year "198X" in the fictitious town of Shiokawa, Japan. The player must explore various locations and fight otherworldly creatures in order to halt a looming apocalypse.[3]

Gameplay

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Screenshot of enemy encounter

World of Horror is a roguelite role-playing game, built around individual self-contained playthroughs consisting of five different "mysteries" that must be solved, each corresponding to one of five keys that are used at the end of the playthrough to enter a locked lighthouse, in order to defeat one of several possible Old Gods that is threatening the town. The player must do this before the game's "DOOM" meter reaches 100%, which marks the point at which the entity is summoned. DOOM increases each time the player takes an action, and can increase further as a result of certain events. Each of the various Old Gods apply various unique effects or limitations on gameplay.[8][9]

The game features turn-based combat where the player queues up actions and attacks to be used against hostile creatures,[10] many of which are based on creatures from Japanese horror manga or urban legends, such as Kuchisake-onna.[11] The game also incorporates adventure game and roguelike elements through its exploration and puzzle-solving mechanics.[12][13]

Development

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The game's developer, Paweł Koźmiński (a.k.a. Panstasz) worked on the game part time in between his work as a dentist.[14] All of the in-game artwork was designed using MS Paint, with additional writing provided by author Cassandra Khaw.[4] The game's music was composed by ArcOfDream and Qwesta. Interest in a console release has been expressed since 2020,[15] and a release date was revealed during Nintendo's Indie World Showcase in November 2022.[16]

Reception

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Early access version

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Jordan Devore of Destructoid called the game "a rare treat" and praised its modular format, as well as its "eerie chiptune soundtrack and rising tension during a long, hard-fought run," but also criticized its combat as becoming tedious over long sessions.[23] Jenna Stoeber of Polygon called the game's horror "engaging", though she criticized the visuals as "mixed", and called navigating the interface "frustrating".[24] Lane Martin from CGMagazine said it "strikes at the very bone of what can be truly terrifying".[25]

Final release version

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According to Metacritic, World of Horror currently has "generally favorable reviews".[17] Kerry Brunskill from PC Gamer called it "one of the year's best horror games".[8] Zoey Handley from Destructoid praised its creative approach.[20] Rock Paper Shotgun described it as a "game that is absolutely being what it wants to be. And because of that, some of you are going to hate it".[9]

References

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  1. ^ a b O'Connor, Alice (7 June 2023). "World Of Horror spreads Junji Ito-inspired spookings in October". Rock Paper Shotgun. Archived from the original on 18 July 2023. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  2. ^ a b Smith, Callum (20 October 2023). "World of Horror PS5 and Nintendo Switch release date slightly delayed". Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  3. ^ a b "WORLD OF HORROR". wohgame.com. Archived from the original on 15 December 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  4. ^ a b "ysbryd games". Archived from the original on 15 November 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  5. ^ "WORLD OF HORROR on Steam". Steam. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  6. ^ "WORLD OF HORROR". GOG.com. Archived from the original on 20 December 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  7. ^ "Buy WORLD OF HORROR (Game Preview)". Microsoft Store. Archived from the original on 13 November 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  8. ^ a b c Brunskill, Kerry (24 October 2023). "World of Horror review". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on 29 January 2024. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  9. ^ a b Bell, Alice (18 October 2023). "World Of Horror review: a weird and wonderful horror adventure in time for Halloween". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  10. ^ McMullen, Paige (3 May 2020). "World of Horror: Beginner's Guide to Combat and Enemy Stats". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on 29 January 2024. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  11. ^ Shaver, Morgan (21 February 2020). "World of Horror | A Junji Ito Fan's Nightmarish Paradise". IndieObscura. Archived from the original on 21 April 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  12. ^ Norman, Thomas (5 November 2020). "WORLD OF HORROR: An Investigative Interactive RPG, Grimoire of Horror". Grimoire of Horror. Archived from the original on 28 February 2021. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  13. ^ Watts, Rachel (21 February 2020). "World of Horror is a gruesome adventure game inspired by the work of Junji Ito". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on 27 February 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  14. ^ Conditt, Jessica (20 September 2019). "A dentist made a game in MS Paint and it's terrifying". Engadget. Archived from the original on 7 August 2020. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  15. ^ Smith, Callum (19 February 2020). "World Of Horror: PS4 and Nintendo Switch release date after Early Access on Steam". HITC. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  16. ^ "Latest Indie World Showcase unveils a wave of indie games coming to Nintendo Switch in 2022 and beyond". Nintendo Official Site. 9 November 2022. Archived from the original on 9 November 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
  17. ^ a b c "World of Horror for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 29 January 2024. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
  18. ^ "World of Horror for Nintendo Switch Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  19. ^ "World of Horror for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic.
  20. ^ a b Handley, Zoey (18 October 2023). "Review: World of Horror". Destructoid. Archived from the original on 28 December 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  21. ^ Wales, Matt (21 December 2023). "World of Horror review - atmospheric retro dread as fleeting as a nightmare". Eurogamer. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  22. ^ Vogel, Mitch (5 November 2023). "World of Horror Review". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  23. ^ Devore, Jordan (26 February 2020). "Early Access Review: World of Horror". Destructoid. Archived from the original on 10 November 2022. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  24. ^ Stoeber, Jenna (24 February 2020). "World of Horror lets me bring doom upon myself". Polygon. Archived from the original on 29 January 2024. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  25. ^ Martin, Lane (5 March 2020). "World of Horror Review". CGMagazine. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
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