Video Games
Latest ‘System Shock’ Update Shows Off More Pre-Alpha Goodness
In their latest Kickstarter update, Nightdive Studios has given fans of the upcoming System Shock remake who missed out on the game’s pre-alpha demo during The Game Festival (luckily, we didn’t) a bit of a consolation with a streaming of the demo.
Along with the stream, the update also shows off the progress in the art, which features more concept art alongside progress on the Protoborgs, which were originally shown back in August.
As Andrew noted in his preview, the demo does have a few issues in the form of bugs (along with the gamma settings), but those can be ironed out in time. Hopefully in the next update, we get some of the more gory goodness that SHODAN had left in the corridors of Citadel Station.
The System Shock remake is due out in this year for PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
Oxide Room 104 developers WildSphere have announced that their upcoming Escape From Umbra will launch later this month on July 10 for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, Xbox Series and Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam and GOG. The game will move away from the developer’s earlier focus on explicit gore to immerse players in an atmosphere of ancient witchcraft and psychological horror.
For Xbox, the pre-order campaign featuring a limited-time exclusive discount will begin on July 3rd. On the same day, Steam users can check out a 15-minute playable demo. Nintendo Switch, Steam, and GOG launches will be accompanied by a discount during the first week.
Escape From Umbra transports players to a labyrinthine town inspired by the mountain villages in Las Alpujarras. Their iconic narrow streets and white facades have been invaded by dark roots and a dense, oppressive fog. Following the trail of enigmatic black cats, players will freely explore every corner of the town to find the way to escape from the nightmare where Umbra has locked them up.
Eschewing artificial inventories or floating backpacks, the game opts for a true “escape room” format. Players must investigate the environment, manipulate objects, and figure out how to use them within the 3D space to escape each area. To do so, they will rely on a mysterious magic book, deciphering its logic-based clues to solve every puzzle and challenge.
However, the town is governed by shadow creatures that watch for any presence to summon the mistress of darkness. Players will carry a unique flashlight capable of condensing energy and unleashing powerful bursts of light, which allow them to defend themselves against specters and reveal secrets hidden by magic.
Additionally, controller vibration becomes a living gameplay mechanic: there are no on-screen indicators; the character’s heartbeat is transmitted directly to the player’s hands, accelerating chaotically as the only radar for imminent danger.