We’ve seen games set in outer space make a comeback harder than ever lately, but what about the survival horror genre? There’s no question that the horror subgenre thrived throughout the late and early ’90s, aided by games like Resident Evil, Silent Hill, and the Clocktower series.
This particular sub-genre has had a few influences since then. We’ve seen Silent Hill become less like Silent Hill, and Resident Evil is more action than horror. That said, Resident Evil 7: Resident Evil re-established the Resident Evil series in 2017, and we’ll even get a Resident Evil 4 remake early next year. Maybe, just maybe, even Silent Hill will do the same with the upcoming Silent Hill 2 remake.
With all of this in mind, survival horror fans sure won’t be going hungry right now, and while we wait for these classic titles to reappear, Xbox Game Pass has a treat in store. A key game, arguably the main course of the feast (and possibly the starter, if you liked The Evil Within 2 or Dead Space) is Signalis. What a treat, the first indie game from Rose-Engine arrives on Xbox Game Pass on October 27, just in time for Halloween.
Taking inspiration from the aforementioned series, Signalis is a top-down 2D pixel art piece that puts you in the ranks of Elster. Waking up in a dystopian facility, she must navigate its harrowing corners and solve obscure (but fascinating) puzzles to get some answers and find her mate.
With a myriad of locked doors and hostile robots to keep you busy, you’ll find yourself pulling through a ton of action that was done in survival horror games a decade ago. It pays homage to those games while still being a unique representation of the genre. It’s atmospheric at its core, and it really makes you gnash your teeth. Between managing your limited inventory and avoiding hostile enemies to conserve your ammo, you find yourself desperate for more answers.
Signalis is always accompanied by an industrial lofi score that takes you back to the other world of Silent Hill. Not only that, but you’ll often find yourself learning more about Signalis through notes and flashbacks, something most horror fans are once again familiar with; clue.
I admit that Signalis is not a perfect game. The controls generally feel a bit off at times, and it’s easy to find yourself stuck. Having said that, it oozes nostalgia while being fresh, and it fills the void in Silent Hill in me. On Xbox Game Pass, Signalis gives you 5-6 hours of exciting use. Also, if you get stuck, we have some pretty handy Signalis guides, if I do say so myself.
If you don’t subscribe to Game Pass, you can also buy Signalis on all major platforms.