The excellent Junji Ito love letter, WORLD OF HORROR, has a release date, finally. The game has been available on Steam Early Access for about three years, and my wife and I became hopelessly entranced by it as if strung along by an unseen force. It’s a little obtuse, but it’s essentially a digital tabletop RPG in the style of Arkham Horror, dripping in the tone you’d expect from Ito-san himself. I’m not exaggerating when I say we have put hundreds of hours into WORLD OF HORROR before the full release. There are many things to unlock, with several mysteries with multiple endings to solve, characters to use, and even alternate timelines. Those alternate timelines alter events, enemies, and even bosses. There’s a lot here for such a simple package.
Made over six years by a single person, panstasz, WORLD OF HORROR is truly a labor of love. All the in-game art is made in MS Paint, and it’s stunning to see just how grotesque it can get. The game recently got full mod support, so if you like it, you now have an effectively endless supply of content. Let me stress, WORLD OF HORROR is not for everyone. Despite the art, the gameplay can feel a bit archaic. There’s a bit of a learning curve, and the roguelike nature can lead to some frustration. It feels great after it clicks when you scrape by to defeat The Old God that haunts your town.
Expect a full review before the game launches. WORLD OF HORROR is releasing on October 19th, 2023, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC, and Nintendo Switch. It’s currently available on Steam Early Access for USD$15, but the price will increase on the full release day. Dying for more horror while you wait? Check out Uminkeo: When They Cry! It’s an excellent visual novel with an incredible narrative that any fan should experience. It’s also written by Ryukishi07, who penned the upcoming Silent Hill f.
