PLOT: On this new five-part episodic documentary, they discover and have a good time the wealthy historical past of horror gaming, taking you behind-the-scenes with the builders, artists and composers of the scariest video games of all time.
REVIEW: We’ve acquired numerous documentaries about numerous points of the horror style over time. Whether or not it’s the movies, their franchises, or their stars, it’s at all times entertaining to see them get a highlight. As a result of there’s no group of followers extra devoted than these throughout the horror neighborhood. Having been so formed by it, it’s lengthy overdue that Horror Video Video games are lastly being given the identical remedy. TerrorBytes: The Evolution of Horror Gaming takes a deep dive into the video games, creators, and playstyles which have helped form generations.
TerrorBytes is damaged up into 5 episodes and manages to span each important horror title on the market. It obtained to the purpose the place I used to be simply making an attempt to consider obscure horror video games, and earlier than the credit rolled, they spoke about mentioned recreation. This actually exhibits the diligence that went into this, doing its greatest to not solely spotlight these video games, however do it by way of the lens of an professional. We’ve obtained episodes on the numerous various kinds of recreation sorts like Survival Horror, Licensed, Narrative-based, Indie, and people of the Cursed/Controversial selection. It means they’re actually capable of run the gamut of what you’d anticipate to be spoken about. Although when you’re solely going to take a look at one, make sure that it’s Survival Horror as I believe that covers the core of Horror gaming.
There’s one thing so deeply private in regards to the online game expertise, but this documentary is ready to distill it into the communal expertise that it finally ends up being. Even single-player video games that might enable for the watercooler discuss of “What was it like the first time you ran into Mr. X in Resident Evil 2?” There’s a second the place Silent Hill 2 is mentioned, and anybody that’s performed it is aware of that the lack of one’s spouse is a significant second within the recreation. And it’s made all of the extra poignant when the video games Translator and Voice Director, Jeremy Blaustein speaks of his spouse passing simply two years previous to the interview. It exhibits how a lot these video games can join with us in sudden methods, actually highlighting the magic of the artform.
The interviews are all very nicely shot and fascinating, by no means wavering in high quality. There are some individuals I’d have appreciated to listen to from extra, however that’s the character of those speaking head documentaries: you must prioritize the great solutions and what works for the story you’re telling. Due to this, some individuals get a number of play, but it surely’s as a result of they’re so informative. I hoped we’d get John Carpenter speaking video video games extra, but it surely’s actually simply targeted on the truth that The Factor was made right into a licensed recreation. Since he’s a giant gamer himself, it might have been cool to listen to extra from him. As might be mentioned for lots of the interviews, the larger names solely seem in just a few cutaways.
As a video editor myself, I used to be continually blown away by the modifying in TerrorBytes. There’s a lot love and care put into every body. Even the footage from a random throwaway recreation is in HD and appears attractive. I can solely think about on a regular basis that it took to supply the sport footage alone. And it’s introduced in such an fascinating manner. I’m positive there was loads of gold left on the slicing room. But it surely’s all for the sake of tightly paced and tightly targeted segments. Every episode will get extra obscure, turning into extra of an introduction to those video games versus a nostalgic look again. However that’s not essentially a nasty factor, as it is a showcase of a ton of indie horror video games. I do know I used to be continually including video games to my Wishlist whereas watching.
I really feel the In Search of Darkness collection began having diminishing returns with every entry, so I actually hope this doesn’t observe swimsuit. I can’t think about the place else they’d go from right here, outdoors of latest horror video games taking that the world by storm, and Uneven Horror (which is flippantly touched on right here). So right here’s hoping they don’t milk it to demise. If you happen to’re a fan of horror video video games, you then owe it to your self to take a look at this excellent documentary. That is merely the definitive have a look at the world of horror video video games.
All episodes of TERRORBYTES: THE EVOLUTION OF HORROR GAMING can be found now at terrorbytesdoc.com.
