Steam's new horror game feels like PT and endures through a Bodycam lens

When we discuss the scariest horror games of all time, PT and Survive often end up near the top of the list. The former, Hideo Kojima's beloved teaser for one Silent Hill game that never was, manages to make just one enemy and a single corridor consistently terrifying. The latter stands out by arming players with just a camera as they explore an asylum full of disturbing killers, with its innovative visual style instantly recognisable. It seems that the developer of Steampp Blackwall [LIVE] strive to follow along Survives footsteps, embraces his own particular camerawork in an environment full of PT-like corridors.

However, one look at this Steam game will be enough to notice how it differs from these two iconic inspirations, as the protagonist uses a handful of weapons to fight the creatures they encounter on their quest. Fortunately, it doesn't seem like this will make the game any less terrifying. For starters, they have rifles and pistols that players are armed with very limited ammo, so players have to pick and choose their fights. Also, not all scary creatures in the Blackwall [LIVE] can be fought, so players must do their bit of sneaking and running just like they would in other horror games.

Blackwall [LIVE] Functions at a glance

• EXPERIENCE a unique bodycam perspective, influencing exploration and creating new opportunities for intimidation.

• PLAN your use of weapons like pistols and shotguns to ensure your survival.

• INVESTIGATE the mystery of missing persons in the area by finding documents, listening to recordings and taking in environmental stories.

• SOLVING puzzles to access new areas.

• ENCOUNTER unsettling creatures like sprinting zombies and a large, multi-headed monstrosity on spider legs.

Blackwall [LIVE] Become a SWAT member in the back rooms

While the trailer for Blackwall [LIVE] lays out the stakes clearly – the player character is called upon to rescue a lost woman trapped in an endlessly changing maze of corridors – it seems that's just part of what players will encounter as they progress through the game. Aside from this environment that feels like it's been ripped straight out of A24's Back room movie, players will explore a forest and a series of trippy environments, such as a rickety bridge surrounded by doors and some floating platforms. They'll also find some disturbing creatures, with human-like running enemies and a very disturbing spider-like creature featured in the promotional material.

Whether this spider can actually be damaged is unclear; VylonX Games says that not all creatures can be damaged with the protagonist's arsenal of weapons, so just like in Resident Evil series, players must figure out which enemies are worth wasting ammo on. And like other horror games, not only will environmental stories help explain what's going on, but recordings and documents will offer story fans some extra lore to piece together. Besides fighting and running away from creatures, Blackwall [LIVE] will have its share of puzzles to solve, which will tear down titular walls and open up new areas to explore.

Its Blackwall [LIVE]s camera perspective that really brings everything together. About like Survives green night vision camera enhanced its sense of immersion, Blackwall [LIVE] using helmet cams for the entire experience makes it a unique entry into the horror genre. Not only does everything the main character sees appear to be live-streamed, opening up exciting storytelling possibilities, but the distinctive camera angle (which looks like the spectator camera from an FPS that Marathon) limits peripheral vision and likely makes aiming harder until players adjust. Since the entire game is built around the bodycam, every encounter should feel challenging without being clunky, which allows Blackwall [LIVE] to shine brightly because of its special property. When you cross the corridor, it can give flashbacks to PTand the constant presence of camera elements on the HUD can have Survive fans at home, the use of weapons and enemy designs should be enough to make this Steam title feel like its own game.