Song of Horror

A little while back, IGM covered Song of Horror, a survival horror from Madrid-based studio, Protocol Games. Firstly, it was to show off some gameplay, followed by the launch of a Kickstarter campaign – which unfortunately did not reach its funding goal. Fast forward to November 2015 and a press release was sent our way with two interesting focus points for the game: 16 playable characters and permadeath. Now it has a third; the Kickstarter campaign has been relaunched, and the studio is looking to raise €50,000 EUR, €5,000 of which was pledged within 24 hours of launch.

Song of Horror contains "no weapons, no traditional enemies, and no typical combat." What it does contain is several chapters, each exploring a different part of the overarching narrative mystery. This mystery centres on Daniel, a man whose life has been turned upside down by something known as "The Presence," said to toy with players like a "predator toys with its prey."

The game is being developed by a studio that "grew up with the [original] Resident Evil, Silent Hill, and Fatal Frame titles," so it is hoping to bring back the "old-school vibe" with its horror and create something that provides a similarly memorable experience to the "classical masterpieces." Inspiration is also being drawn from Edgar Allan Poe and H.P. Lovecraft, and the Kickstarter refers to its scares as "Eldritch, primeval horror."

Protocol Games is trying to keep its feet firmly on the ground, no matter how well the Kickstarter is doing so far. Something similar happened in June, before funding halted and the campaign was unsuccessful, so it is trying to get Song of Horror in front of as many people as it can, because in Kickstarter, "visibility is the key to success."

More information on Song of Horror can be found on the website, or on the Kickstarter, where a pledge of at least €17 EUR nabs a copy of the game when it is released, and gamers can choose their platform of choice, from PC, Mac, Linux, Steam, PlayStation 4 or Xbox One. Maybe even get a little social on Facebook or Twitter.

Getting déjà vu right now? That may be because you read this on IGM, where my preview was first featured! Check IGM out for all the latest on indie games.