Video Games
Uncover Something Sinister in Psychological Horror RPG ‘The Pines’ [Trailer]
Studio Abattoir is diving into the psychological horror arena with its newly-announced title, The Pines. This open world title has you venturing into a secluded retreat, where underneath its calm, quiet exterior, lies something much darker.
You are former detective Edward Walker. After a case goes cold, you are exhausted and desperate for peace. Your therapist advises you to travel to The Pines, a secluded retreat that promises quiet, recovery, and therapists on site. The community is home to a wide variety of residents from all walks of life, each carrying their own history, trauma, and secrets. What initially feels a warm and welcoming community gradually reveals itself to be something far more unsettling.
Nothing quite adds up. Minor details refuse to align, and the more you investigate the community, the harder it becomes to ignore the feeling that everything is connected. You must uncover the truth behind The Pines. And while doing it, stay alive.
Being a former detective, you have a unique set of skills. You’ll notice details that others overlook, connect clues that don’t seem related, and uncover hidden truths through investigation. Gather evidence, piece together stories, and decide who to trust.
The Pines sports a nifty gameplay mechanic known as the Stalker System, where your actions have consequences. Say the wrong thing, cross the wrong person, or dig too deep, and a resident who once seemed harmless will take an unhealthy interest in you as a stalker.
Unfortunately, guns and ammo are in short supply. That leaves you having to rely on various melee weapons such as bats, axes and more to defend yourself. You’ll need to work on your dodge and parry mechanics, and strike at the right moment.
You can wishlist The Pines now on Steam.
Video Games
Bloober Returns to ‘Star Trek’ With Psychological Thriller ‘Star Trek: Shadow Frontier’ [Trailer]
Bloober Team weren’t done dropping news this week. After surprising everyone with SAW: Genesis at Summer Game Fest yesterday, they’ve now announced a new horror-slanted Star Trek title with Paramount Games Studio in Star Trek: Shadow Frontier. This is the second Star Trek title Bloober has developed, having released the VR body horror title Star Trek: Infection earlier this year.
“We’ve long admired the way Bloober Team crafts deeply immersive, atmospheric experiences that keep players on the edge of their seats,” said Paramount Games Studio senior vice president and head of creative and production Shawn Kittelsen. “For Star Trek: Shadow Frontier, it was essential to partner with a studio that could both honor that legacy and push it forward. We have full confidence in Bloober’s ability to deliver a game that does justice to the ‘Star Trek’ name while bringing something bold and new to the beloved franchise.”
Launching for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, the Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam in 2027, Star Trek: Shadow Frontier is a story-driven action-adventure that sees players step into the role of former Lieutenant Ro Laren (voiced by Michelle Forbes). After crashing onto a distant planet overtaken by a strange consciousness, Ro Laren must survive in an environment that is as breathtaking as it is lethal. Ro’s mission is driven by duty and purpose. But here, discovery comes at a terrible cost. The more she uncovers, the deeper she is pulled into a corrupted labyrinth where her memories twist and the planet threatens to sever her connection to reality.
The hostile ecosystem of the planet poses a constant threat to Ro’s existence. It seeks to absorb Ro’s consciousness, burrowing deep into her mind and plaguing her with haunting visions. Environmental hazards and obstacles lurk around every corner. Exploration is both your only path to salvation and your potential undoing. Players will be able to use their Tricorder to scan and analyze items, and of course rely on their Phaser to solve puzzles and fend off enemies.