If you’re looking for something new to play and you’re someone who enjoys survival horrors, then you’ve definitely come to the right place.
I’ve recently been playing Phasmophobia with my friends and while I’ve been gradually getting mildly braver, you best bet that I’m the one in the van screaming “DOTS PROJECTOR” anytime I spot something that might make me useful.
That being said, I may have found another slice of horror that’s to my liking as Holstin easily looks like one of the most intriguing games I’ve stumbled across in quite some time.
Developed by Sonka, Holstin is a psychological survival horror set in “an eerie isolated 90s Polish town consumed by an ominous presence”.
“You’ve come looking for answers, but everyone seems possessed by something foul. Explore the festering town, interrogate locals and fight ungodly manifestations to get to the truth,” the synopsis teases.
The game boasts a beautiful old-school pixel graphics aesthetic.
And I have to say, the growth covering the game’s town is giving me major The Last of Us vibes, which just happens to be my favourite franchise on the planet, so that’s won me over.
As you try to get to the bottom of what’s plaguing the town, you’ll be tasked with fighting “twisted monstrosities” as you scavenge for weapons and supplies.
There are also plenty of puzzles to be solved, some of which you’ll only be able to do with the help of locals so don’t be a stranger when you encounter a friendly face.
As the game’s description warns though, locals “are seldom helpful to outsiders. If you want to understand them, you have to play along with their delusions and understand their inner world”.
Although this is a pixel art game, devs have introduced modern touches including dynamic lighting and camera rotation, allowing you to play from eight different angles.
Holstin is voiced in both English and Polish and best of all, you can take it for a spin right now.
The game remains without a full release date but a playable demo is available over on Steam, and it’s free to access.
