Fans of the early days of the survival horror genre likely remember Parasite Eve, a 1998 Square Enix game that follows a police officer as she investigates a parasite threatening humanity. The game spawned a large fanbase and multiple sequels. This popularity led many players to be confused when Square Enix made no effort to revive the series or produce any remakes following the third game. Now, an indie developer has decided to produce their own spin on the genre with Parasite Mutant.
Developed by Icesitruuna, Parasite Mutant takes many queues from its inspiration while innovating in various areas. As seen in the trailer, the game maintains the grotesque horror present in the Parasite Eve games. The main character, Psionic Agent Nova, is seen battling monsters and distorted humans while isolated in specific rooms. Later on, the trailer shows off a few puzzles, interactions, and equipment mechanics that further solidify it as a well-rounded RPG. The game’s Steam page also provides a look into the mystery of the story as Nova makes her way through an abandoned island, a major draw for any horror game with a focus on narrative.
Despite the many similarities the game has to Parasite Eve, Parasite Mutant still changes the formula in a few places. The most immediately noticeable of the changes is the art style. The new indie title takes a more stylized anime-inspired approach to the art, creating an even greater disparity between the human characters and the monsters throughout the game. Another unique aspect of the game is the Active Time Chain system, which adds the ability to use energy for a chain release to the system of many 90’s RPGs.
Indie games growing more accessible allows gamers to create the games they always wish they had. Parasite Mutant has excited many fans of the Parasite Eve series by doing just that. The game is set to release in 2026 on PlayStation and Steam.