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Platformer ‘Super 80s World’ is Out on iOS Thursday, and Features Plenty of 80s Horror Tributes
Quite a few games are inspired by the 1980s, bursting with neon, synthwave, and nods to the pop culture of that decade, but few incorporate the horror movies of the time beyond a cursory glance. Not so for the incoming iOS platformer Super 80s World, which features a not just the odd homage, but also a whole level and boss based on 80s horror!
The retro-inspired side-scroller sees you collecting VHS and cassette tapes of popular 80s movies (including horror classics Friday The 13th, The Thing and Basket Case) games (such as the one true 80s horror game, E.T.) and music in a bid to save the decade. You can see an older trailer below that highlights the horror stage. There are clear nods in the enemy design to Hellraiser, Gremlins, and A Nightmare on Elm Street among others.
The game features a synthwave soundtrack naturally, with music from Vincenzo Salvia, Arcade Summer, O S C, ‘80s Stallone, Oceanside ’85 & Ultraboss, We are Magonia and Dan Camaro (who is also the game’s protagonist).
You’ll be able to download Super 80’s World on iOS platforms on April 18 for $3.99.
In the grim darkness of the far future there is only war, but it was a cheerful illustrator from England who helped to define the terrifying war-torn imagery that inspired what we now know as Grimdark (a hybrid genre combining horror with sci-fi/fantasy).
Unfortunately for fans of Warhammer 40,000, Trench Crusade and countless other sources of Grimdark thrills, veteran artist John Blanche passed away this week after struggling with health issues for the past few years.
While the artist retired back in 2023, he leaves us with an enormous legacy of iconic artwork that continues to inspire gamers and storytellers around the world to this very day.
The news is especially gloomy as it was only last year that Daniel Lowman and Napoleon Dynamite himself Jon Heder released The Grim & the Dark: The Search for John Blanche, a documentary following Heder’s exploration of the Grimdark genre culminating in a heartwarming encounter with Blanche in his own home.
Below is one of my favorite pieces by Blanche, his highly influential depiction of Warhammer 40k’s God-Emperor of Mankind on his Golden Throne.
We send our deepest condolences to John Blanche’s family, friends, and fans.
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