Homebody is a new release from developer Game Grumps and publisher Rogue Games, featuring complex puzzles in a survival horror loop. With a killer that seems to appear from nowhere and a constantly ticking clock, Homebody creates excitement and intrigue in a survival horror game reminiscent of late 90s gaming.
Warning: The following article contains minor spoilers for Homebody.
When first dropped into Homebody, players will meet Emily, who is heading to a meteor shower party. Emily’s introduction is quick to establish what kind of protagonist will be driving the story of the game, with her people-pleasing tendencies and overall anxiety being prevalent in just the opening lines of dialogue. What appears to be a simple hangout with friends at a rental home will soon turn sinister as a nameless killer comes for the group. While trapped in a depressing time loop, watching her friends die over and over, Emily will have to solve various puzzles to uncover the truth of what is really going on.
Each time that Emily dies, she will be reset back to the time of her initial arrival. Her friends will have no recollection of anything that has happened, while Emily, who is fully aware, must repeatedly work to save them all. Each friend will have their own uses through dialogue where they provide Emily with helpful clues relating to puzzles she’s working on. Before Emily is reset each night, there will also occasionally be a cutscene showcasing some of Emily’s memories with her friends, merged with her own inner thoughts.
As it is slowly revealed how isolated Emily has allowed herself to become and Homebody begins to reach its climax, Emily’s struggle with agoraphobia will become the thread that seemingly ties everything together. Her friendship with one of the other notable characters, Francine, will begin to expand upon the idea that despite Emily’s effort to not let down those she loves, she has ironically severed herself from them completely. The conclusion of the narrative shines a light on an anxiety disorder in a way that does it justice, and further opens the door to get a conversation about agoraphobia started.
As a self-proclaimed homage to early PlayStation graphics, Homebody remains true to its inspiration. Though the graphics are intentionally designed to feel older, they maintain a polished feel that assures players these choices were intentional. The retro-style graphics actually work perfectly as Homebody is able to maintain the desired creepy undertone while not being a sensory overload, allowing players to maintain their focus on what’s important. Not only that, but it helps to establish the time period of the game through association without having to explicitly state it.
2023-06-06 09:30:05
Post from screenrant.com