Wikipedia

World of Horror

World of Horror, also known by its Japanese title Kyōfu no Sekai (恐怖の世界), is a role-playing video game with a 1-bit pixel art style inspired by the works of H. P. Lovecraft and Junji Ito.[3] The game was created by Polish developer Paweł Koźmiński and published by Ysbryd Games.[4] It was released into early access on February 20, 2020 through Steam, GOG.com, and Microsoft Store.[5][6][7] The full game was released on October 19, 2023 for macOS and Windows. It was released on October 26 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5.[1][2]

World of Horror
Developer(s)Paweł Koźmiński
Publisher(s)Ysbryd Games
EngineGameMaker Studio
Platform(s)
ReleaseWindows, Mac
October 19, 2023[1]
PS4, PS5, Switch
October 26, 2023[2]
Genre(s)Role-playing, horror
Mode(s)

The game takes place in the year "198X" in the fictitious town of Shiokawa, Japan. The player must explore various locations and fight otherworldly creatures in order to halt a looming apocalypse.[3]

Gameplay

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Screenshot of enemy encounter

World of Horror is a roguelite role-playing game, built around individual self-contained playthroughs consisting of five different "mysteries" that must be solved, each corresponding to one of five keys that are used at the end of the playthrough to enter a locked lighthouse, in order to defeat one of several possible Old Gods that is threatening the town. The player must do this before the game's "DOOM" meter reaches 100%, which marks the point at which the entity is summoned. DOOM increases each time the player takes an action, and can increase further as a result of certain events. Each of the various Old Gods apply various unique effects or limitations on gameplay.[8][9]

The game features turn-based combat where the player queues up actions and attacks to be used against hostile creatures,[10] many of which are based on creatures from Japanese horror manga or urban legends, such as Kuchisake-onna.[11] The game also incorporates adventure game and roguelike elements through its exploration and puzzle-solving mechanics.[12][13]

Development

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The game's developer, Paweł Koźmiński (a.k.a. Panstasz) worked on the game part time in between his work as a dentist.[14] All of the in-game artwork was designed using MS Paint, with additional writing provided by author Cassandra Khaw.[4] The game's music was composed by ArcOfDream and Qwesta. Interest in a console release has been expressed since 2020,[15] and a release date was revealed during Nintendo's Indie World Showcase in November 2022.[16]

Reception

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Early access version

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Jordan Devore of Destructoid called the game "a rare treat" and praised its modular format, as well as its "eerie chiptune soundtrack and rising tension during a long, hard-fought run," but also criticized its combat as becoming tedious over long sessions.[23] Jenna Stoeber of Polygon called the game's horror "engaging", though she criticized the visuals as "mixed", and called navigating the interface "frustrating".[24] Lane Martin from CGMagazine said it "strikes at the very bone of what can be truly terrifying".[25]

Final release version

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According to Metacritic, World of Horror currently has "generally favorable reviews".[17] Kerry Brunskill from PC Gamer called it "one of the year's best horror games".[8] Zoey Handley from Destructoid praised its creative approach.[20] Rock Paper Shotgun described it as a "game that is absolutely being what it wants to be. And because of that, some of you are going to hate it".[9]

References

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  1. ^ a b O'Connor, Alice (7 June 2023). "World Of Horror spreads Junji Ito-inspired spookings in October". Rock Paper Shotgun. Archived from the original on 18 July 2023. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  2. ^ a b Smith, Callum (20 October 2023). "World of Horror PS5 and Nintendo Switch release date slightly delayed". Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  3. ^ a b "WORLD OF HORROR". wohgame.com. Archived from the original on 15 December 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  4. ^ a b "ysbryd games". Archived from the original on 15 November 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  5. ^ "WORLD OF HORROR on Steam". Steam. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  6. ^ "WORLD OF HORROR". GOG.com. Archived from the original on 20 December 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  7. ^ "Buy WORLD OF HORROR (Game Preview)". Microsoft Store. Archived from the original on 13 November 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  8. ^ a b c Brunskill, Kerry (24 October 2023). "World of Horror review". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on 29 January 2024. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  9. ^ a b Bell, Alice (18 October 2023). "World Of Horror review: a weird and wonderful horror adventure in time for Halloween". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  10. ^ McMullen, Paige (3 May 2020). "World of Horror: Beginner's Guide to Combat and Enemy Stats". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on 29 January 2024. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  11. ^ Shaver, Morgan (21 February 2020). "World of Horror | A Junji Ito Fan's Nightmarish Paradise". IndieObscura. Archived from the original on 21 April 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  12. ^ Norman, Thomas (5 November 2020). "WORLD OF HORROR: An Investigative Interactive RPG, Grimoire of Horror". Grimoire of Horror. Archived from the original on 28 February 2021. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  13. ^ Watts, Rachel (21 February 2020). "World of Horror is a gruesome adventure game inspired by the work of Junji Ito". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on 27 February 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  14. ^ Conditt, Jessica (20 September 2019). "A dentist made a game in MS Paint and it's terrifying". Engadget. Archived from the original on 7 August 2020. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  15. ^ Smith, Callum (19 February 2020). "World Of Horror: PS4 and Nintendo Switch release date after Early Access on Steam". HITC. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  16. ^ "Latest Indie World Showcase unveils a wave of indie games coming to Nintendo Switch in 2022 and beyond". Nintendo Official Site. 9 November 2022. Archived from the original on 9 November 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
  17. ^ a b c "World of Horror for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 29 January 2024. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
  18. ^ "World of Horror for Nintendo Switch Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  19. ^ "World of Horror for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic.
  20. ^ a b Handley, Zoey (18 October 2023). "Review: World of Horror". Destructoid. Archived from the original on 28 December 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  21. ^ Wales, Matt (21 December 2023). "World of Horror review - atmospheric retro dread as fleeting as a nightmare". Eurogamer. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  22. ^ Vogel, Mitch (5 November 2023). "World of Horror Review". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  23. ^ Devore, Jordan (26 February 2020). "Early Access Review: World of Horror". Destructoid. Archived from the original on 10 November 2022. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  24. ^ Stoeber, Jenna (24 February 2020). "World of Horror lets me bring doom upon myself". Polygon. Archived from the original on 29 January 2024. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  25. ^ Martin, Lane (5 March 2020). "World of Horror Review". CGMagazine. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
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