If one were to consider the most impactful games of the last few decades,Resident Evilwould no doubt be on that list, and if one were to apply that same question to the modern indie scene, thenDisco Elysiumwould make the cut as well. Theuncompromised creative vision of games likeDisco Elysium, coupled with the unapologetic, pulpy horror atmosphere ofResident Evil, serve as fertile ground for new creations.
EnterHolstin, an upcoming Polish survival horror game that borrows heavily from the aforementioned seminal titles.Holstin, which currently has a demo available on Steam, is immediately striking through its disconcerting and grotesquely beautiful art design, haunting soundtrack, and emotive voice performances, but it also hearkens back to a number of key influences. Everything from the game’s graphics to its gameplay and ostensible narrative themes can be linked to other popular titles likeResident EvilandDisco Elysium, and it would appear that these disparate inspirations are coming together to form something entirely new and unexpected.
Holstin: Resident Evil, Disco Elysium, and a Heavy Dose of X-Factor
Holstin Is Channeling Old-School Horror and Isometric CRPG Flair
Like the best horror games,Holstinputs the audience in an unfamiliar and unsafe environment. Players follow a man named Tomasz, who is led to a rural town in search of a friend of his who has gone missing. Upon entering, it’s immediately clear that something isn’t right, as everything is covered in a strange, otherwordly substance, and the citizens of the town are either slowly losing their minds or have gone completely feral. Trapped in this enigmatic web of supernatural and psychological hazards, Tomasz must search for the truth while trying his hardest to stay alive.
Special credit must be paid toHolstin’s art design. Thoughmany indie games leverage pixel graphicsto create a unique and cost-effective visual style,Holstintakes things a step further, making clever use of perspective, VFX, and sprites to produce an unnerving and tangible virtual world. The game is incredibly striking from an aesthetic standpoint, and it may be a breath of fresh air for anyone burnt out on high-fidelity AAA horror fare.
Elements of the visual design and tone are where comparisons toDisco Elysiumfeel apt. Of course,Holstinadopts the isometric perspective of games likeDisco, limiting the player’s control over the camera and therefore heightening the sense of fear, paranoia, and helplessness. But there are also more minute elements of the game world, like the run-down and decrepit Eastern European setting, that connectHolstinto ZA/UM’s magnum opus.
Holstin’s narrative premise also feels somewhat inspired byRoadside Picnic, the novel that spawned the likes ofS.T.A.L.K.E.R.
Gameplay is whereHolstinexhibits its old-school survival horror influences. ClassicRE-style environmental puzzles, resource management, and tense, focused combat encounters form the backbone of its gameplay loop. But there’s a touch of modernity here as well, since the game switches to an over-the-shoulder perspective when fighting enemies, injecting it with thethird-person-shooter elements of contemporaryResident Eviltitles. Even aspects of the UI, like how 3D models of new items fill the screen when collected, are similar to what is seen inResident Eviland similar franchises.
Holstinhasn’t been fully released, but what has been exhibited thus far paints a promising picture. Audiences may be reminded ofrecent indie successes likeConscriptandSignalis, which also wore their classic survival horror influences on their sleeves, but remixed and experimented with these influences to create something truly special and unique.Holstin’s discomfiting atmosphere, sound design, gameplay, and stunning art style all combine for a tense experience — hopefully, this tension and terror will last throughout the entire game.
Resident Evil
Resident Evil is a long-running survival horror franchise developed by Capcom. Spread across numerous mainline and spin-off entries, the series is known for it’s third and first-person action horror, zombie-related monsters and references, and challenging puzzles.
