As strange as it is to see the Paranormal Activity series branch out into video games in such a big way while the films continue to endure an agonizingly long death rattle in theaters, what’s really startling is how competently they’re pulling it off. This had all the trappings of another licensed cash-grab, and yet a concerted effort has been made to sell it as a worthy extension to a dying film franchise. This isn’t a spin-off, it’s a completely standalone (6-8 hour) narrative that plays out like the prequel to one of the films, only this time, the “found footage” is being experienced firsthand by you.
The hype that surrounds Paranormal Activity VR hasn’t been fabricated, it’s been fostered over multiple public showings that have quite a few people referring to it as our new “scariest game of all time.” In an interview with GameReactor, Alex Barder, co-managing partner of Beast Media Group and VRwerx, said “We actually, on some level think that this isn’t just the scariest game that you’re ever going to play, it could well be the scariest thing you’ve ever done. And that’s really exciting.”
That’s a bold claim, but it’s one I’ve seen mirrored by many of the lucky people who have had the chance to spend some time with the game’s demo. We’ll find out how accurate it is when the game releases later this year.
Release Date: Spring 2016 (Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, PlayStation VR)
