Retro inspired gaming is nothing entirely new to the indie scene, but still brings a nostalgia edge to them. Games like The Night Ripper, and Hotline Miami take inspiration from the mid-1980’s to the 1990’s for their design and or VHS tape style of appearance. Certain Triple A titles still use the fixed camera angles for their games, such as Until Dawn or in certain areas of Detroit: Become Human. But for a game to completely try to reappear as one might have in the mid to late 90’s is something more of a rare gem. That was the vision of developers Puppet Combo when they made The Glass Staircase:
Puppet Combo admits that The Glass Staircase’s inspiration came from classic 90’s horror games like Rule of Rose, Silent Hill and the Clock Tower series. As well as a number of Italian zombie movies. It features all that those had, the fixed angles, the old 3D style art, and a 360 degree swivel from one pivot without moving their feet all that much. And the nostalgia shows in everything.
Players take on the role of a young girl inside an old rotting English mansion where there’s a voice over the intercom telling you what to do. You haven’t seen your parents, but the voice promises that if you do as it says and do your chores, follow the rules, take your medicine, and then you get to see your parents.
Though within the mansion, you’ll come across many servants and several secrets within the walls of each room. But the game does warn that you shouldn’t rush through the mansion as you may miss some items that could cause serious consequences for the other girls living in the mansion with you.
The Glass Staircase is currently available for PC on itch.io for $5.95 USD. If nostalgia is tickling your fancy, it’s being scared for in this PS2 inspired horror.