(Image credit: Senscape)
After nearly two decades, a renowned cult horror developer has unveiled a spiritual successor to the game that initially made them famous. Agustin Cordes gained recognition in the horror gaming world with his debut, Scratches, released in 2006. Known for its eerie, Myst-like atmosphere, it wasn’t just chilling but also notable for being the first commercial adventure game developed in Argentina.
Now, 19 years later, Cordes returns with Asylum, a new point-and-click horror game that has faced its own set of challenges over the years. First announced in 2010, Asylum was designed to be a spiritual follow-up to Scratches. It retained the core elements of horror and the point-and-click interface, promising players full 360-degree camera control and a deep dive into mystery elements.
Despite a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2013 that raised nearly $120,000 (source), the journey to completion was long. According to the developer, Asylum was created ‘on a shoestring budget, with money from our own pocket,’ and the development team could only work part-time shifts, complicating the process further. Moreover, Asylum is significantly larger than Scratches, featuring over 100 explorable rooms in a structure designed to be ‘as architecturally correct as possible.’
Adding to the challenges, the team opted to create their own game engine from scratch. This decision, while ambitious, contributed to the extended timeline. ‘Ever hear when developers prefer to stick with pre-made engines instead of developing their own?’ the FAQ notes humorously, ‘Well, there’s a good reason for that.’
The game, now available on Steam, is inspired by H. P. Lovecraft, Hammer Films, and twisted Euro horrors from the 80s. Players navigate the maze-like institute, confronting its bizarre residents and battling unsettling visions.
For more on gripping horror games, venture into the best horror games of all time.