Yesterday saw the official playtest launch for the indie horror game Blighten from Blight Software. Said playtest can be accessed through the official Steam page, with the game set to launch sometime this year. The trailer for said playtest shows off the gruesome and dark visuals, including claustrophobic corridors and barely lit hallways that are reminiscent of 2000’s-era horror games like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. or Condemned: Criminal Origins; however, its art style is more old-school, similar to that of the original Doom and other 90s FPS’s, which the Steam page describes as “classic retro graphics with modern twist”.
As of now, there is little information surrounding the game and its story, but the limited details available paint us somewhat of a picture. In the beginning of the trailer, a distorted voice tells you that you’re part of “an elite militia unit” hunting rebels who have retreated to what is known as “the eastern wastes”. This takes the main character to an abandoned and decaying research facility, from which they encounter physically grotesque monstrosities like the ones seen in the trailer. The distorted voice tells you that it was “formerly used for biological research and weapons”, which explains the horrifying enemies seen in-game. The Steam page also makes mention of an unseen evil that is hiding within the facility and shaping the encounters you have with these mutated foes as you descend further.
In terms of gameplay, the trailer shows a blend of modern and classical elements, and the Steam page makes mention of “resource management”, stating the game will have an extensive arsenal of firearms, including assault rifles and shotguns, like the one seen in the trailer, where the player character is also seen wielding a magnum.
Hopefully we will see more of this game as it gets closer to being finished, and perhaps the playtest will give us more details. For now, keep your eyes open for what comes next with Blighten.