Developer: DreadXP
Publisher: DreadXP
Steam Deck Compatibility?: Playable
Rrp: £7.19 (Steam), £7.99 (Epic) and $9.99 (Itch.io)
Released: 23rd October 2020
Available on: Itch.io, Steam and Epic
We’re back with The Dread X Collection 3! This is a compilation of twelve horror themed games that were created by each developer in ten days. Each of these games was created with a prompt in mind, this time the prompt was Spoopy.
It should be noted that there are a few things that should be kept in mind with these games;
- They’re all very short experiences
- Due to the speed they were created in they are going to be rough around the edges and even have a few glitches etc.
- Again, due to the speed of development they aren’t going to be the prettiest games
All the games launch through an interactive world that is itself a game that happens between and after the other games. I want to make sure I give the creators of that (Kira, who created the game Spooky’s Jumpscare Mansion) some recognition here.
Spookware @ the Video Store
Developer: Adam Pype & Viktor Kraus
This is essentially a series of Warioware games that have a very silly horror theme over the top.
This was a lot of fun and I had an absolute blast playing it. In fact I was a bit sad to finish it so quickly. Thankfully, the developers have turned it into a full game which I will be purchasing very soon.
Submission
Developer: Corpsepile
A game about making games.
This is one I really enjoyed, I’d love a longer game that took this basic structure and extended it out. As it stands though this is one of my favourites out of this collection.
Chip’s Tips
Developer: Torple Dook
Torple Dook have been in every Dread X collection so far, and each time they always seem to have something a bit off the wall. This time they’ve gone for a take on Blues Clues, complete with FMV scenes and I love it.
Honestly, this was so stupid and I couldn’t help but smile and giggle at it. Especially since they brought back a few ‘characters’ from their previous Dread X games.
Sato Wonderland
Developer: Nate Berens
I like this as a concept, what if you could take all the animatronics from something like Five Nights at Freddies and analyse them? You could query them about their programming and really drill into the true horror of the franchise. Of course, for something like FNAF, that thrives off of the hidden lore this would be a bad move. However, in this game it works perfectly.
The only thing that makes me sad about this game is that I can’t see a way you could translate this into a full release. It’s very much a one and done thing.
Soul Waste
Developer: Blood Machine
This is a 3rd person platformer with PS1 style graphics that’s about killing God. Honestly, I’ve seen weirder concepts from other games in Dread X collections so, sure.
On the whole the game is pretty fun, the controls are a bit floaty for my liking but there is definitely a nugget of something good in there. Also I wasn’t expecting there to be multiple endings.
Nice Screams at Funfair
Developer: Moya Horror/Amos
Serving ice cream to undead. Turns out they love ice cream, who knew?
I am not a fan of this game, there was no indication of what the controls were (including in the options menu), the act of serving the ice cream was janky with me missing almost all the time and finally the game just sort of… ends.
Reactor
Developer: Dirigo Games
A walking simulator set on a small science base where a lone scientist resides.
I have to say I loved the artstyle of this game, it made it feel very unique. However, gameplay wise there’s very little here, run from the baddy and that’s about it.
Disparity of the Dead
Developer: Bryce Bucher
This is a detective game set in the afterlife, though it doesn’t look like any afterlife I’ve seen before, except perhaps Beetlejuice.
This game was fun for the most part but I did start to grow annoyed with it when I struggled to find a specific piece of evidence. Perhaps that was on me though for not noticing.
EDEN: Garden of the Faultless
Developer: Modus Interactive
Raising and training biblically accurate angels to race. I’m not sure what else I can say here… its first person Pokemon except they’re angels and instead of battling they race.
Actually no, less pokemon and more like Chocobo farming and racing in Final Fantasy 7 (the old one, I’ve not played the remake yet so can’t comment) except with less mechanics.
Bubbo: Adventure on Geralds Island
Developer: Breogan Hackett
Another 3D platformer, this time more inspired by the likes of the Banjo-Kazooie games. Gotta love those cartoony graphics.
I definitely preferred the controls of this game over that of Soul Waste, much less floaty! Also Geralds island has nothing weird happening at all…
Matter OVER Mind
Developer: Basalt Tower
A top down perspective reverse horror game where you play the monster, like Carrion but cute.
This was a delight to play, I’d love to play some kind of expanded version of this, in fact there was one with a similar idea (sort of) called Warp. Maybe I’ll replay that.
Bete Grise
Developer: Amon Twentysix
Yet another game of minigames, this one with a slightly more sinister bent though. The main concept is that you work night shift of a hotel and do all the little jobs that need doing.
The game is set in an isometric view point with some controls that took a moment to get used to, but once I did I had a lot of fun with this strange little game.
