(Image credit: Spina Studio)
When you hear about former developers from CD Projekt Red working on a vampire RPG titled The Blood of Dawnwalker, it seems perfectly fitting given their history with The Witcher 3. However, seeing them dive into a PS1-style horror game inspired by Silent Hill and Resident Evil might come as a surprise.
This unexpected venture is exactly what the team at Spina Studio aims to accomplish. Consisting of seasoned professionals from Techland, CD Projekt Red, and Superhot Team, this small Polish studio has unveiled its debut project, Phase Zero. Announced via their Twitter account, the game is described as “a modern take on survival horror’s golden era, told in a chapter-based, dual-hero story.” Players can anticipate prerendered backgrounds, fixed cameras, and a distinct PSX-era aesthetic.
Watching the game’s trailer, the essence of classic Resident Evil is palpable in its atmosphere (and quite literally; the environments seem repulsive at moments). Despite only a brief 50-second preview, the game already exudes promise and captures the nostalgic horror vibe. Echoes of Silent Hill are evident too, with unsettling hallway environments and disturbing enemy glimpses.
Additional information from the game’s press kit reveals more about the anticipated horror experience. Set in the harbor town Flint Peak, the narrative unfolds as “a mysterious illness rapidly spreads, grotesquely altering the town’s residents.” Players will follow two protagonists: Mary, a newbie reporter in Flint Peak, and Guy, an injured engineer. The same chilling Silent Hill atmosphere is echoed by the developers’ description: “Grotesque, cancerous monsters crawl through Flint Peak’s alleys. Tissue overruns building walls, with meat bursting from pipes. Empty husks of human skin line the streets.”
For now, the game is confirmed for a PC release on Steam, with an upcoming demo promised “soon.” However, no specific release date has been announced, which means fans might need patience before delving into the horrors of Flint Peak.
In related horror gaming news, Silent Hill f has faced a ban in Australia under its current form, with authorities yet to disclose the rationale behind its ‘refused classification’ status.