Outlast

Arcane asylum, weird situations, and you are a journalist investigating the mystery of what is behind it all -- this is the basic setting of Outlast. Your character is too young and too bold, rushing into unknown places with a night-vision camera. Most of the time you will see everything through it. Outlast is scary, atmospheric and -- I must say from the first-hand experience -- incredibly stressful.

The main kick of the game is that you don’t have any means to protect yourself from the enemies. Once you attract their attention, your task is to run and hide, hoping they will not find you. The higher the level of difficulty, the fewer batteries for your camcorder. And of course, once you have none, your enemies become more persistent and determined to find you.

Do you agree with any of these picks? Which Xbox One horror games do you think are the best? Let me know in the comments below!

Among the Sleep

Among the Sleep is your lovely yet scary psychological horror, regrettably overlooked by many players. In this game, you become a young boy, who wakes up in the middle of the night in an empty house with no one around.

Your task will be to collect memories of your mother, while your teddy bear guides you. The game is enthralling and terrifying at the same time with all the creepy monsters and some plot twists that will make you feel sad. It has more adult themes than you could predict at first glance, which actually justifies parental control.

Layers of Fear

Layers of Fear is another horror game that proves you don’t need combats and monstrous enemies to feel terrified. It is based on a psychedelic story of an artist going insane. The game perfectly captures all the chilling details of the process. Just as the main character, you are roaming about the artist’s house, which is literally a maze with numerous rooms and doors coming out of nowhere.

You circle around, constantly returning to the initial spot. Hence, it makes you question everything you’ve seen. Layers of Fear has the genuine background, and might seem light at first, but you would be surprised with its thrilling atmosphere.

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard

The latest part of the series, Resident Evil 7 is probably the best horror game in the generation. The terrors of the survival horror, which made the whole series popular are back again in Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. As ever, it is the first-person horror game. Yet, there are some new gameplay features and mechanics to enjoy.

The plot might seem a bit cliché for a horror game, but it would not disappoint you. You play as Ethan Winters, whose wife went missing years ago. Following her trail, you get to the Baker Family plantation with a single task – rescue your wife and manage to stay alive. With well-crafted battle scenes and breathtaking cinematics, this game would bring you a lot of jump scares to suit the overall terrifying atmosphere.

Dead Rising 4

Do you feel like living in a city taken over by a zombie horde? Then Dead Rising 4 should be the first choice for your Xbox One.

If you take the series' iconic character Frank West, you will experience the zombie slaughter taken to the new level with lots of guns and zombies to kill. The game has all the tasty things gamers love about the medium -- the open world, great single player campaign and quite nice multiplayer mode. You can get a plentitude of emotions from Dead Rising 4. There is a bit of humor, chaos, and, of course, violent missions.

Video games are known to induce a roller-coaster of emotions, providing diverse experiences for gamers. Holding your gamepad tight, you can feel happy, sad, or thrilled -- that is what makes games so compelling. Fear is not an exception. Horror games cater to all of us, especially those who think that a good fright makes us feel alive.

In that vein, here is a list of the creepiest and scariest horror games for the Xbox One -- in no particular order. Now switch off the lights, put your headphones on, and get ready to be horrified!

Survival horror has made quite the return in recent times and it has been the perfect showcase for Virtual Reality with games like the new Resident Evil and the forthcoming Paranormal Activity.

The reason why horror games work so well on VR is the pace can be deliberately slow. It also helps hide the limitations of the technology. Resident Evil has also shown that games on VR can also be every bit as effective on the television too – as well as breathe new life into franchises that are becoming tired and outdated.

If developers would be willing to patch in VR support for games like Alien: Isolation or Outlast there’s a good possibility of increasing sales for the titles as well creating an almost new experience for the games.

Alien: Isolation

Alien Isolation is one of the most effective horror experiences recent years. The small tight metallic corridors, the claustrophobic feeling of darkness and the level of detail that totally makes you feel that you’re immersed in the experience of the original film.

The experience becomes a lot more powerful when explored through VR. As showcased by the VR demo for the Oculus Rift, all the minor details really come to life and the darkness completely surrounds you. The sense of powerlessness comes to life with the audio design -- Every creak and noise in the vents above and underneath you becomes really unnerving in the 3D sound.

The biggest shame for Alien: Isolation was the fact that VR support never made it past the demo stage and while there is a way to get VR to work on the PC there was never any official support for it.

It may be wishful thinking, but now that VR’s popularity is picking up steam with support for home consoles, It could be the perfect time to patch in VR and give Alien: Isolation the extra sales and exposure it deserves.

Fatal Frame/Project Zero

The Fatal Frame series are effective and scary survival horror games that take a lot of inspiration from Japanese horror films like The Grudge and The Ring. The games found a lot of success on the Xbox, PlayStation 2, Wii and the Nintendo Wii U.

Unfortunately the formula had started grow stale with its most recent title Fatal Frame: Maiden of The Black Water receiving mixed reviews. Although it did receive praise for its innovative use of the Nintendo Wii U gamepad as a viewpoint for the Camera Obscura.

The success of Resident Evil 7: Biohazard had in rejuvenating the series from a brand new perspective. This could work for the Fatal Frame series too. If the developers could find new way to adapt the first person viewpoint of the Camera Obscura -- like they did with the Wii U pad in a new way. VR could help breathe new life into the series.

Among The Sleep

Among The Sleep is a horror game that puts you in the body of a young toddler. It’s a unique horror game that takes feeling defenseless and helpless to push it to a new level of disempowerment.

Through the eyes of a child everything is so much bigger and larger than life. There's even a tense situation when being unable to reach for the door handle. The ability to play this game in VR would add so much more to the immersion of the already foreboding experience.

The developers Krillbite were working on a VR experience for the Rift and there was an alpha build of the demo but the project was cancelled according to the studios blog

The studio did however mention the possibility of working on new demo using Among The Sleep’s assets.

Soma

Psychological horror is where Soma shines because the atmosphere builds on this style of horror rather than conventional scares. This is what make this game such an effective horror experience.

Your character wakes up at the bottom of the ocean in an abandoned research facility.  The events that then pass in the game truly make you doubt your surroundings, and it's those surroundings that draw you into its atmosphere. The sound design in this game is some of the best I’ve heard since the likes of Dead Space and Bioshock.

For those reasons and VR’s ability to transport you to another world Soma would find good success. Along with the play to your senses it would be a perfect combination.

Outlast

Outlast is definitely a game that would benefit from VR. It’s dripping in atmosphere with tight but dark passageways and the absolute feeling of disempowerment would lend itself very well to VR.

There is unofficial support for the VR on the PC. However, it would be really beneficial for both fans and developers to get official support and with PlayStation VR helping to push VR into the mainstream. It could add more replayability and potentially more sales with PS4 VR gamers clamoring to get the best experiences possible.

Virtual Reality is a perfect marriage to the survival horror genre, the potential for a deeper level of immersion on an emotional level and the ability to fool the senses is increased exponentially. No longer is a creature, monster or a ghost restricted to the television screen but now you can almost feel and hear them around you -- their footsteps in the vents or the whispers in your ear.

The improvements in VR technology definitely brings more realism to the games and the ability to disrupt your already heightened senses that in kind allow you to become far more engrossed in the games surroundings. This is because our audio and visual senses are overridden by shutting out the sights and sounds of the physical space that you're in.

Now that Resident Evil 7: Biohazard has already shown that a survival horror game can function both as a survival horror game on the television and a VR game.

Here, I've compiled a list of games that would find more success with Virtual Reality support.

The age of indie titles is upon us, and if the horror genre as it exists today is of any indication, the timing couldn't have been better. Indie developers are doing most of the heavy lifting these days when it comes to innovative and, most importantly, terrifying horror games.

And it shows -- nearly every popular horror title today is the product of talented, ever-blossoming indie studios. With so many great choices on the market, we've cherry-picked a very special few which are guaranteed to make your Halloween night even more haunting. Be warned: These five indie horror games will likely shave a few hours off of your sleep schedule.

5. Claire (2016)

Imagine a choose-your-own-adventure, 2D side-scrolling Silent Hill game, and you'll probably think of something like Claire. Psychological terror and ever-shifting environments create a wonderfully crafted horror experience that caters to fans of traditional survival-horror fare with its puzzle-solving, area maps, and emergent storytelling.

Claire amounts to a success for indie developer Hailstorm Games at creating a better Silent Hill-like game than the series itself has produced in several years. Whereas Silent Hill began to suffer when its focus shifted from pensive, psychological horror to fast-paced action, Claire takes the opposite approach by leaving the player defenseless from the various monstrosities found within. Peppered throughout are some vaguely Dark Souls-ian elements, namely encounters with crestfallen weirdos who serve to enhance the plot and atmosphere.

Though Claire tops out at a few hours (and that's a liberal estimate), it is a surprisingly deep thriller that is easy on the wallet and perfect for some casual Halloween gaming. If you're in the mood for a quick horror fix and an early bed time, you won't be disappointed here.

4. Slender: The Eight Pages (2012)

It's rare to watch a mythical figure akin to Bigfoot and La Chupacabra rise to prominence before your very eyes -- and that's what makes the legend of Slender Man truly remarkable. Appearing first in a post on the Something Awful forums, Slender Man became an instant phenomenon, with internet-goers across the world expanding his lore and "validating" real life sightings. The figure's influence grew rapidly in a matter of years, even compelling two young Wisconsin girls to lure an unsuspecting "friend" into the woods, where they attempted to murder her. When questioned about the incident after their arrest, the attackers admitted that they had attempted to appease Slender Man.

Slender: The Eight Pages, released by indie studio Parsec Productions in 2012, capitalized on the ghastly lore of Slender Man to the fullest extent, situating players in a dark forest with nothing but a flashlight as they are stalked by the titular creep. The goal is to explore the forest and the abandoned facilities within in the search for cryptic pages, all of which have something creepy drawn or written on them. As more pages are amassed, Slender Man stalks the player more aggressively, and soon, the heat is on...

Every corner is suspect in Slender, and looking over your own shoulder is never advised. Before you've discovered any pages, you might catch a glimpse of Slender Man with the rays of your flashlight as he watches you from a distance, only to disappear at a second glace. By the time you've gathered a few pages, Slender Man follows closely, appearing around the corner when you least expect it.

Then again, the horror of Slender is best when you do expect Slender Man to appear suddenly before you. The feeling of being stalked helplessly by a terrifying monster is heart-pounding and very intense, and no number of jump-scares could ever match the terror you will experience during this short, simple game. 

3. Among the Sleep (2014)

Childhood is scary -- period. When you're three feet tall and clueless about your surroundings, every bump in the night is an omen, and every shadow in the closet wants to snatch you up and take you away. Krillbite Studio captured this sensitive and universal fear in Among the Sleep, a disturbing journey into the imagination of a troubled and fearful toddler.

Among the Sleep is a surreal, suspenseful experience throughout each of its four hours, peppered with notable moments of sheer terror that I still can't shake. In a world where kitchen counters look like mountains and coats in the closet look like monsters, tension is omnipresent. The environments take their shape from the child's imagination, which creates a warped, unpredictable reality in which anything can happen.

While the experience is almost too short, Among the Sleep is commendable for achieving exactly what it set out to do, which is to create a new landscape for the horror genre and inject it with some real imagination. It accomplishes both of these feats with great success, and maintains a cogent narrative all the while. If you're looking for a great horror experience that won't take all night to complete, this game fits the bill. Oh, and it will scare the shit out of you repeatedly.

2. Inside (2015)

While there may be some debate about Inside's place (or lack thereof) in the horror genre, there is still no doubt that the world of Limbo's successor is deadly, oppressive, and fear-inducing every step of the way. I wrote about Inside a few weeks ago and mentioned that the hallmark of suspense in any medium is uncertainty. For Inside, Playdead Studios captures this element and amplifies it to heart-pounding extremes. There were countless moments during the game in which I felt hopelessly doomed, only to escape death by the skin of my teeth.

Atmosphere is this game's greatest strength, and it uses it with cutting precision to immerse the player into the cold, bleak world. Mastery in this department serves to intensify the many panicked and dreadful moments that players will encounter, especially where snarling dogs and violent explosions are involved. Virtually everything and everyone wants to kill you at all times, requiring the player to be on guard constantly as they navigate the fatal universe of Inside. 

Rather than referring to Inside as an incredible horror game, it's probably fairer to refer to it as an incredible game with substantial horror elements attached to it. Horror is not the primary theme, but it looms forebodingly, striking the player during moments of helplessness and panic. This is a game that should be played at any time, but if you've never experienced the horror that Inside has to offer, Halloween is a perfect opportunity.

1. Amnesia: The Dark Descent (2010)

Due to its success, it's easy to forget that Amnesia: The Dark Descent was developed by a fledgling indie developer -- Fractional Games -- based in Helsingborg, Sweden. Following the conceptually-similar Penumbra series of titles, Fractional Games delivered a new level of sophistication and polish to their unique brand of survival-horror with Amnesia. The world took notice in a big way, with the game now receiving top choice in a staggering number of "Best Horror Game" lists.

And you bet your asses that its reputation is well-deserved. Amnesia is one of those games that gets under your skin and stays there. Armed with little more than a lantern and scant oil supplies, the player must navigate a mysterious mansion with all manners of horror lurking within. Battle takes place not between the player and the aforementioned horrors, but between the player and his or her own sanity as reality shifts and wavers, leaving nothing sure in the mind except the terrible darkness which surrounds everything.

Amnesia: The Dark Descent is a game to play in doses -- it is far too stressful to experience the constant twists, turns, and genuine freak-outs for long periods of time. For veterans of the horror genre, however, this is one indie title that can (and should) be finished in a Halloween gaming marathon. 

Do you agree with our picks? What's your favorite horror game to play on Halloween? Let us know in the comments!

Norway-based Krillbite Studio has announced that Among the Sleep will finally be coming to Xbox One. The first-person indie horror game was originally only available on computer systems, and then came PlayStation 4 late last year -- making the Xbox One the latest addition to the list of consoles on which the game can be played.

According to Kristina Halvorsen, Krillbite Studio's Chief of Marketing and Community:

"...we wanted to make a horror game with something more than just a regular scary story. The game has received a lot of praise for its themes and design, and we are very grateful for all the love we have gotten from a lot of different people."

Specifically on the Xbox One, you are able to choose which pajamas the toddler will wear while venturing through the nightmare with his teddy bear guide, free of charge. Options include unicorn, bear, and even an Xbox One theme.

Image Source: Krillbite Studios

For the past few years, VR has certainly been one of the top discussions within the video game industry. At this moment in time, it is without a doubt the future of gaming. However, will it just become the next novelty item that is played for awhile before it sits in the corner gathering dust?

Why is VR the future of gaming at this moment in time?

Right now, VR is nothing more than an expensive toy that a player would use for a little while before going back to playing video games the way they already do. Eventually, the VR device will sit in the corner of the room collecting dust alongside the likes of the Kinect and the PlayStation Move. Never the less, it is the future of gaming.

From the early 90s, video games have advanced technologically at an astounding rate. Over the past twenty years or so, the limit to video game graphics and technology has reached its peak. Though there is always room for improvement with current technology, the improvements are so small that they are barely noticeable.

Due to these technological limits, video game developers and technological developing companies are losing their edge over their competition. The gap that existed between companies is getting ever smaller. Developers needed something new and something that would once again give them an edge, not to mention a pile of money.

It is through this that the Oculus Rift is born, the first official working VR headset. It wasn't long before other companies began looking into developing their own versions of VR headsets.

VR allows the player to immerse his or herself into a world far greater than that of looking at a TV or monitor screen. VR allows players to see into a virtual world without the physical world getting in the way.

When the player moves their head, the screen moves with it, giving VR systems an immense sense of realism. It is without a doubt the future, as no other form of video game technology can immerse a player into a game at this level. If you were to look at the upcoming games section on Steam at this moment in time, you would see just how many developers are looking to get a slice of the VR pie.

Everyone is jumping on the bandwagon

For awhile now, various video game developers have decided to jump on the VR bandwagon. There are a ton of games developed for VR technology with plenty more still to come. More recent titles include Apollo 11 VR, SculptrVR, and Cloudlands: VR Minigolf.

This does not include an array of video games already released that have been made compatible with VR by their developers. With all the hype for VR, it comes as no surprise that this is the case. Such titles include Among the Sleep, Elite Dangerous, Euro Truck Simulator 2 and Half-Life 2. Video game developers have waited years for such a technological advancement. Now that they have it, they are going to use it to their advantage in any possible way. The question is, have they jumped the gun?

How VR could backfire

There are different ways that VR could potentially backfire. The first and most prominent of the issues VR has is its pricing. Let's be honest; the average gamer does not have $599 hanging around their house collecting dust bunnies to purchase an Oculus Rift.

The PlayStation 4 is at the average price of €350-400, and the Xbox One is €350. That is between $398 and $455 here in Ireland at the current exchange rate from Euro to Dollars. That makes the Oculus Rift a whopping $144-202 more expensive than the latest generation of consoles.

Stated this way, it may not sound like it's too expensive. However, when you take a closer look at the technology of VR and where it currently is, and it may be far more than you would be willing to pay. With a PlayStation 4 or a Xbox One, you buy them and have a ton of games available to purchase and play. There is no fuss: you simply pop the game out of its box, place it into the console and play the game. Using something like the Oculus Rift is not quite that easy. Firstly, you need an Oculus Rift, which alone is $599. Secondly, you need a decent gaming computer. If you don't have one, you would need to buy or build one, which would be another $800+.

That already is a minimum of a whopping $1400 before you even start using the device. Then, you have to get the device set up and working. You require the correct drivers and configuration to get this working which at times can be a headache for those with minimal PC troubleshooting experience. Last, you need actual games to play, priced at an average of $15 each. 

Then, there are bugs and glitches. VR is a brand new technology that has only just hit the public market. It is likely there are issues and problems within the software coding somewhere. 

Right now, VR is not a very consumer friendly product. It is savagely expensive and can take quite a bit of work to get it running even with general PC troubleshooting knowledge. Indeed, this may change with PlayStation's VR when it releases, but you can expect to pay a pretty penny for the convenience that it will provide.

The VR experience

I am yet to have a first-hand experience with VR, but I know plenty of people who have and talked to them about their experiences with it. Almost everyone immediately states that their experience with VR was an amazing one, yet there are common problems.

The first and probably the most common of complaints is motion sickness. When the player moves their head, the game moves accordingly. At first, this doesn't appear to affect too many players but over a period of time using the device, it begins to set in.

It makes the player feel genuinely sick, and forces them to take off the headset and stop playing. Being forced to stop playing is something that is not ideal, as gamers do tend to like playing games for some hours at a time.

The second issue is that some games are not that friendly towards VR. An example of this would be Elite Dangerous. Despite being a wonderful experience, its controls are what let the game down with VR. The Elite series has always been one that contains an enormous amount of different controls, almost to the point you would need a space flight manual. Elite Dangerous is not different. While wearing the VR headset, you are unable to see the keyboard. Unless you know the exact location of each key without being able to see, you are going to have problems playing it with VR. Such an issue means that some games are not going to be ideal to play using VR.

The third issue with VR is the fact that it is genuinely more work while playing a game. Having to turn your head or use various devices like feedback gloves and so on is more work than only using a controller.

The convenience of a controller allows the player to interact with a game almost instantly. Flailing and swinging your arms around takes a bit more work than the instant response of pushing a button. Along with that, there is also the break of immersion, something the Wii has always had problems with in certain games.

For example, if you swing a sword in a game, and it impacts off of something, it is supposed to bounce off what it is impacting on. However, in real life, your arm still continues to move. Even wearing something like feedback gloves won't fix this. Indeed, you will feel the impact, but your arm will continue to move forward. 

Will VR become just another novelty?

We have established that VR is without a doubt the future of gaming, at least at this moment in time. But, with its expensive pricing, the difficulty of getting it to work and the experience issues, it is still a long way from becoming THE next gaming device.

It is a very young technology that has a lot of growing up to do. I have absolutely no doubt that in the not so distant future VR is going to be the way of gaming. It will, however, be quite a few years before it gets to a level that can provide the ultimate gaming experience. Until then, it will be just another novelty device to add to the collection.

What do you think of VR? Do you think it is going to become just another novelty device? Let me know in the comments below.

Image Sources: Technobuffalo, 148apps, Apollo 11 VR Store Page, Gavtrain, Elite Dangerous Store Page, and Engadget.

Games for are all going on sale in time for some super spooky late night sessions this Halloween. Scary themed games like Left 4 Dead and Resident Evil are all dropping prices for downloads across the internet.

Slide into your costumes and skip out on trick-or-treating, folks, because it's time for some gaming. Here's where you need to look to face your fears:

Humble Bundle

Humble Bundle is Capcom themed this week, so if you're feeling a whole lot of Resident Evil, this is the way to go. Highlights to the three donation tiers are as follows:

Tier 1 - $1.00+

• Resident Evil Revelations 1 - Episode 1

Tier 2 - $9.61+

• Resident Evil Revelations
• Devil May Cry
• Resident Evil 4
• Resident Evil 5
• Remember Me

Tier 3 - $15.00+

• Resident Evil 5: Untold Stories DLC

There will be a coupon also included for 50% off Resident Evil Revelations 2 in the Humble Store. All games are redeemable on Steam.

Head over to Humble Bundle's main page for a full showing of games for all Tiers. Remember, Humble Bundle is pay what you want, for charity. This bundle lasts even after Halloween.

Green Man Gaming

Green Man Gaming has decided to join in the spookfest with some "scaaary savings." See what they found for you to get up to 90% off through Steam this week, along with a special coupon code to receive an additional 22% off in savings. 

They compiled a full list of scary Halloween games that you can see right here, but below are some highlights:

• Resident Evil Revelations 2 - $21.84
  
• Resident Evil HD Remaster - $11.70
• Resident Evil 6 - $11.70
• Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition - $14.63
• Left 4 Dead Bundle - $4.68
• Kholat - $7.80
• Lucius 2 - $6.79
• Anna: Extended Edition - $1.95
• This War of Mine - $6.24
• The Escapists: The Walking Dead - $12.64
• Among the Sleep - $6.24
• Dead Rising 2: Off the Record - $5.31
• Dead Rising 3: Apocalypse Edition - $19.50
• Hektor - $5.31

To use the special Green Man Gaming voucher for an additional 22% off, enter this coupon code at checkout: 

FACEYO-URFEAR-S22PER

Green Man Gaming Halloween sale is only available until October 30.

GameStop

GameStop's 2015 Halloween Sale is right up your alley if you're not just looking for games, but collectibles as well. Either way, they have both!

Even if not all listed items below are on sale, the are exclusive to the Halloween season for GameStop:

Collectibles Highlights:

• October Vault Drop - $25.00
• Pop! Figure: Nightmare Before Christmas: Jack the Pumpkin King - $10.99
• Pop! Figure: Nightmare Before Christmas: Nightshade Sally - $10.99
• Pop! Figure: The Walking Dead: Daryl's Chopper - $24.99
• Pocket Pop! 3 Pack: Freddy, Jason, Sam - $14.99 

There are also mugs, games, office supplies, and statues from classic slasher movies, The Walking Dead, Nightmare before Christmas, and Ghostbusters. See the full list of collectibles here.

Costumes Highlights:

• Assassin's Creed Syndicate: Gauntlet & Hidden Blade - $59.99
• Five Nights at Freddy's shirt - $14.99
• Diablo Wanderer Coat - $299.99

There are shirts, headpieces, official costume coats, and costume props from The Walking Dead, Diablo, Star Wars, World of Warcraft, Assassin's Creed Unity, Diablo, Watch Dogs and more here.

PC Download Game Highlights:

• Dead Space 1, 2, 3 - $7.99 each
• The Evil Within  - $19.79
• The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct - $12.49
• Plants vs Zombies Garden Warfare - $14.99

See the full list of on-sale PC Downloads right here.

Any special, spooky game you plan on playing or streaming this Hallow's Eve? Or maybe dressing as a game character for a costume? Let us know in the comments.

Those are the PC games, both out and yet to come out, that I want to see in my PS4 library. All of them are unique and interesting ideas that fit perfectly with the kind of dynamic library Sony are working to build on the PS4. The system already has a ton of diversity but should they add some of the games on this list, a few of which they have already said will come, then the library will be even better, albeit weirder.

So what games would you like to see come to PS4? Do any of the games in this list get you excited for a possible PS4 release? Let us know in the comments!

Routine

And the final game on the list is Routine, a first-person exploration horror game set on an abandoned moon base. Developer Lunar Software has already said they want to bring the game to PS4, it's just a matter of time. One of the most interesting aspects of Routine is the completely open world and the perma-death. So you can go off in any direction and explore but keeping in mind death is significant. Routine looks very exciting and chilling, exactly the kind of game I want on my PS4!

Among The Sleep

Among The Sleep is another game that has already been confirmed to be on its way to PS4, with no specific release date. The game was released on PC last year and received a lot of attention for having a baby as the protagonist, as well as working with the Oculus Rift. We assume this means it will be playable on Sony's Project Morpheus someday.

Playing as a baby looks both fun and daunting; the ultimate weakling. Imagine the opening of Fallout 3 but that being the entire game, and much scarier. I cannot wait.

Dreamfall Chapters: The Longest Journey

Dreamfall Chapters: The Longest Journey is an episodic game that takes place in two different worlds; a cyberpunk one, as seen in the picture above, and magical fantasy one. That alone makes this game incredibly interesting. The actual story puts you in the shoes of 20-year-old Zoe, who lives in this futuristic dystopia.

This particular game is the third in the Dreamfall series, which would seemingly make it unlikely to come to PS4, especially considering the previous games came out in 2006 and 1999. However, the developer announced last year that it would come to PS4 eventually. Considering there is still 3 episodes to be released, I'm fine waiting for the entire package.

Lifeless Planet

Lifeless Planet is a really unique game that was made by 1 guy. In Lifeless Planet you play as an astronaut sent to another planet, thought to be filled with alien life, but when you land it turns out to be completely empty. However, as you can see above, there's a bizarre Soviet Union presence on the planet. You aim to figure out what the heck happened. The game came out last year and is currently in development for Xbox One, so may be a lost cause on PS4.

Amnesia: The Dark Descent

Amnesia is similar to Goat Simulator and I Am Bread in that it has gotten a lot of attention from YouTube walkthroughs. You navigate an old castle while avoiding monsters and solving puzzles. Also, it's frickin' terrifying! Amnesia is interesting because it's a collection of bite-sized experiences, so you can have five mini heart-attacks, as opposed to a massive one. 

Dead State

Dead State is a turn-based RPG that takes place in a zombie apocalypse. The game is very much about survival and the relationships that develop during the conflict. Think The Walking Dead meets The Sims. Yep, that's my elevator pitch.

To The Moon

The plot of To The Moon involves a lot of time-shifting/memory altering and so would take too long to explore here, but basically two scientists attempt to fulfill a dying man's wish to go to the moon. To The Moon is a charming and heartwarming game that is made in a 16-bit 2D art style that looks a lot like an old Final Fantasy. The game received excellent reviews and a sequel is in the works, so now is the time for this to hit PS4.

Firewatch

Firewatch is an upcoming first-person exploration game in which you play as a park ranger at Yellowstone National Park in 1988. That setting is particularly interesting because it is right after a series of awful fires at the park. The story sees you descend from the tower to investigate something and, in your absence, the tower is ransacked, leaving you with only a walkie-talkie and a friend on the other side.

So, you must explore the park and figure out what happened, while dynamically developing your relationship with the walkie-talkie lady. Developer Campo Santo has already expressed interest in bringing Firewatch to PS4.

Goat Simulator

Well if this doesn't epitomize the bizarre kind of games that are on PC these days then nothing will. Goat Simulator is a batsh!t crazy game that is reminiscent of a PS2 Tony Hawk but with a Goat, instead of a Skateboard. Need I say more?

Asylum

Asylum is a game due out later this year that was revealed way back in 2010, and eventually Kickstarted in 2013. The game is a little like Outlast, in that you must explore a creepy asylum and figure out what went wrong. Asylum is obviously a horror game and would fit right into the PS4 ecosystem alongside Outlast and Daylight.

Sony has done an amazing job thus far of bringing quirky PC games over to the PS4, as was the case with Surgeon Simulator, Outlast and the upcoming I Am Bread. Both of these games garnered followings thanks to YouTube and it's smart of Sony to bring them to the PS4.

So we wanna show you what games we think should also come to PS4 and help round out the ever-growing library of weird and awesome games.

The Dragon Slayer Awards are back, brought to us by GameSkinny's sister site Guild Launch. The Dragon Slayer Awards give you, the fans, a chance to vote for your favourite games, communities, gaming personalities and more! Among the Sleep has been nominated as one of the five games competing for the title of 'Best New Indie Game' of 2014. Let's recap on how Among the Sleep caused a stir within the indie gaming community as soon as Krillbite Studios unique idea got out to the public. 

There are many first person horror adventure games out there within the indie genre, especially after the successes of games such as Amnesia. But Krillbite Studio offered us a totally different way to experience horror, through the eyes of a helpless 2-year-old child. 

"With all the lumpen, gristly protagonists clogging up today's starring roles, it's heartening to see somebody trying something a little out of the ordinary."

-Edge

Quotes like this were seen everywhere with the release onto Kickstarter in April 2013; where the company managed to gain more than their target, gaining $248, 358 of their $200, 000 target from generous and excited fans! Among the Sleep also gained much interest from the Norsk Film Institutt (Norwegian Film Institute). All of these generous donations not only led to the full development of the game that we have today, but also allowed a commentary track, downloadable content, and Oculus Rift support for full virtual immersion in this horrifying game of a child's worst nightmare!

When the game was officially released in May 2014 people were pleasantly surprised by the unique gameplay and intense storyline. We all remember the feeling of being scared in the dark as a child, now we can re-immerse ourselves in that strangely familiar feeling that no other game has explored before. Krillbite Studio has even nursed players' nostalgic sides with their very own teddy bear, Teddy, to guide the way. I'm sure many players will agree that this gave us fond memories of our own beloved stuffed animals. (Mine was called Ted, how very original!)

"Nowhere is this more keenly felt than your teddy bear, which accompanies you throughout. He can walk and talk, but he’s also a form of safety. When scared, you can clutch him tight and he will emit a familiar warm glow. It has the potential to be not only a great mechanic but also a powerful metaphor."

-IGN

But oddly enough Teddy could also make the game seem even more unnerving...

"His nervous narration adds another layer of unease, while his children’s-TV-presenter intonation and unblinking, sewed-on eyes lend him the air of a vicarious arsonist encouraging you to light the match."

-Edge

Among the Sleep explores most people's earliest fears; waking up in the middle of the night scared, only to find that your Mum isn't there to console you, but where is she? The gameplay has players overcome the inabilities of being a toddler by crawling through dark and eerie scenes, created by the child's imagination, all the while being chased by a shadow-like monster.

Spoiler Alert!

But what really grabs the player is the ending of this game; the realisation of the bigger picture. It's not just a game about a child's over-active imagination, but one of abuse and separation. There are many clues that point to this outcome throughout the game but they are quite subtle. It's not until the shadow-like monster engulfs you that you wake up from the imaginary hell-hole and into an even worse one in real life. Realizing that the mother was the monster all along was quite a shocking turn of events, and it was made even worse by the player's sympathy for the young child who has gone through so much to escape his own mother.

"It’s psychological approach and poignant conclusion distinguish it from a lot of the games that simply resort to shock tactics."

-IGN

Among the Sleep can be played on PS4 as well as Windows, Mac and Linux from Steam, gog.com, and The Humble Store. 

Overall the game attracted much attention, from beginning until the end of development. Many YouTubers and games journalists were eager to play and review it, giving the game a very strong online presence which I feel was very well deserved. If you feel the same way then vote now for Among the Sleep to win 'Indie Game of the Year'!

Proof that independent video games have finally blossomed into forest of vast games are this year's Dragon Slayer Award nominees for Best New Indie Game.

We have horror games, simulators, pretty games, games with strong narratives, and sandbox games - just to name a few of the genres our nominees can claim. So without further ado, the Dragon Slayer Award Nominees for Best Indie Game. 

• Among the Sleep
• Goat Simulator
• Starbound
• The Forest
• Transistor

How Do I Choose?

It's true, each of the five games nominated for this category offer a little something different to the indie game scene and the gaming scene at large. So here are a few things to keep in mind while deciding which of these games to vote for. 

Game Mechanics

Indie games have perfected the art of taking simple game mechanics and transforming them into artfully complex systems. This might be a new style of combat, the melding of narrative and gameplay, the creation of a new genre, or a new twist on an older formula. 

Think about this: if the game was stripped down to its basics, are the mechanics both sound and interesting? Are the fundamental concepts of the game (puzzles, survival, combat, simulation) unique unto themselves? 

Presentation

In addition to distinct gameplay, many indie games are known for artful presentations. Some may use retro art, enticing soundtracks, and even new types of narratives. 

So when thinking about presentation, ask yourself this: How do the artful elements of the game come together? How do the auditory, visual and narrative elements of the game come together to create a larger whole? 

Industry Innovation

While it's fine and dandy to choose a game simply based on gameplay, we would humble ask you to consider the impact these independent games have had on the overall gaming industry. 

When thinking about this, try to analyze what each of our nominees offer the their respective genres. Did a game completely revolutionize its genre? Did it create its own? What does it have to offer in the larger picture? 

Go Vote!

So with those considerations in mind, go vote for your favorite Dragon Slayer Award nominees, and help us decide once and for all what the best new indie game of 2014 is. 

Players have been wildly anticipating the release of Among the Sleep since the developers released an alpha version with the Kickstarter campaign last year for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Oculus Rift. On Tuesday, Ole Andreas Jordet, CEO and programmer for Krillbite, posted an article on the PlayStation blog that has PlayStation lovers ecstatic: their upcoming game Among the Sleep will be available for PlayStation 4. But the really exciting news comes with the second part of the announcement—not only is it available for the PS4, but Among the Sleep will be “among the first to explore PlayStation’s new virtual reality technology Project Morpheus.”

The 2011 Norwegian Game Awards Hype and Hamar Game Challenge winners have worked nonstop on their horror game for the past few years. As a small and relatively new indie Norwegian studio, the production was slow at first—beginning as a side student project considering that developers had to all work to finance it. But after raising almost $250,000 from just over 8,100 backers from their Kickstarter campaign almost a year ago, they have been able to focus solely on the game.

Among the Sleep is a first-person horror adventure from the perspective of a two-year old with no one but a trusted teddy bear to keep you company. After you are put to bed one night, weird and slightly terrifying events begins to occur. The first person aspect completely engrosses the player in the wild imagination of a child and the fears of the things that go bump in the night. Although it is told from a child’s perspective, Jordet urges that the game is not suitable for children.

Krillbite says that they are “so close” to the final product and have released multiple teaser videos of in-game footage as well as an Oculus Rift Alpha teaser. Though there is not an announced release date, the full version of Among the Sleep will be available later on this year for Windows, OS X, Linux, and PS4. Jordet urges interested players to keep an eye out during the next month as we can expect much more from the developers even before this year’s E3 in June.

The alpha version of Among the Sleep can be downloaded here through Kickstarter or from their website and can be played on Windows, Mac, and Linux; the Oculus Rift Alpha download can be found here

The PS4 version of the game can be pre-ordered through their website for $19.99.

PlayStation Blog has announced that indie horror adventure Among the Sleep will be coming to the Playstation 4 as well as PC and Mac.  The team has also confirmed that the game will take advantage of Sony's Project Morpheus VR headset.  Though no specifics have been revealed on how exactly the Morpheus platform will come into play, the game's simple controls and immersive atmosphere could make this an ideal pairing.

While no release date has been announced for Killbrite's toddling thriller, the developer has noted that they're "getting close," and in the last stages of development.  The game's Kickstarter page does offer a playable demo for those looking to get a glimpse of the game's early stages.  

Among the Sleep surpassed its original Kickstarter goal of $200,000, netting a total of $248,358 from over 8,000 backers by its deadline in May of 2013.  Since the original backing platform did not account for the addition of the PS4 version of the game, Killbrite mentioned in the blog entry that they're working to make sure that existing backers "get a fair deal on the PS4 version of the game."

Among the Sleep is shaping up to be truly one of a kind. Krillbite Studios is diving headfirst into uncharted territory, which has come with its fair share of criticism and controversy.

Why?

Well, it's not the fact that the game is a terrifying first person horror adventure, but moreso that the protagonist is two years old.

Many criticize the idea of putting a baby in such (virtual) danger. But others have pointed out that the second we put up limits and taboos on where games can go is the second we but a cap on the relentless flow of creativity, exploration, experimentation and overall developmental awareness.

We spoke with Krillbite about an in-depth interview... about three months ago. Those are some busy Norwegians! Happily, they've sent back an in-depth FAQ that illuminates everything from the early origins of the project to its dark and scary future.

The Studio

Can you tell us about Krillbite Studio?

"Krillbite Studio was started by 11 students, as a creative collective at the Hedmark College University in Norway. We were all studying various aspects of experience production and interactive media, and eventually decided to start collaborating on a bigger project. Thus, we started working on Among the Sleep as our thesis project.

"After we graduated in 2011, we got an application for funding approved by the Norwegian Film Institute, and the company establishment was a fact. We’ve been working on the game since, while also working part-time jobs on the side to support the development."

How did the idea to play as a two-year-old child come about?

"The idea was born out of the dreams of the project lead designer Anders Ugland, one night when he imagined a child fleeing from a monster in his room and hiding underneath a set of stairs - all seen in first person perspective.

"He pitched the concept to the group while we were students, and just about to start working on our thesis project. Everyone instantly fell in love with the idea, and started discussing our own childhood memories and dreams. We found a lot of elements we wanted to explore, both regarding an explicit storyline about the search for safety and comfort, as well as metaphorically, related to what actually evokes the fear and confusion that the child is experiencing."

What made the child protagonist so compelling to the development team?

"The perspective felt so fresh, and the possibilities so endless. A first person horror game from the perspective of a toddler is a premise everyone instantly understands - we’ve all been children after all. We’ve been scared of the dark and the unknown, and we’ve awoken from nightmares confused. We think this makes it easy for players to relate to the theme, as opposed to macho men fighting terrorists, aliens or zombies for example.

"One of videogames’ obvious powers lies in placing someone in a creative context, and having them experience the resulting perspective, so the concept definitely hit a nerve with us. And based on the reactions it has caused around the web, it seems like this applies to a lot of people!

"In addition, creating things we have not seen before is a central goal at Krillbite Studio. We think the medium is in grave need of more diversity, something we would love to contribute towards."

How has the development process been so far?

"It’s been a great and rewarding process! Going straight from our study to full time production on our very own dream project brought a steep learning curve, but we’ve come really far. It’s incredibly motivating to see how well the project is shaping up, and how many people like the look of it. As a studio we’ve only released one small creative side project before, so it’s a bit absurd to see so many people following the project, sending us emails and creating fan-art etc."

You also recently took the project to Kickstarter; can you talk a bit about why, and your experience?

"We’ve been privileged enough to receive some funds from sources like the Norwegian Film Institute. But to have 11 people working on a project for over 2 years demands quite some resources, so we’ve had to work part time jobs to survive. This naturally influenced our focus and productivity on the game, something we really wanted to stop. We also wanted to stay independent and free from the creative boundaries of a publisher.

"And thus, both because we love the project ourselves and because we had received some great feedback around the web, we decided crowdfunding was worth a shot. We also find the crowdfunding model very fascinating, because we as developers are in direct contact with our audience, instead of going through a middleman like publishers or investors. They have a tendency to be all too profit seeking, and even unnecessary at times."

The Game

What is Among the Sleep, for those who don't already know? Can you briefly introduce us to the game?

"Among the Sleep is a first person horror adventure, in which you play a two-year-old child. You awake in the middle of the night to mysterious sounds, and start exploring the dark with only your teddy bear as a companion. Strange things start to happen when your imagination and reality begin to blur.

"We’re experimenting with a child’s perception of reality, combined with a nightmarish dream theme. A child’s physical limitations and advantages are also a central part of the experience and gameplay. For instance, an advantage of being small is that it allows you to hide in small places, but on the other hand you will also have to climb a chair to reach the doorknob.

"We hope that the player is brought back to their childhood - not understanding what is going on, but always exploring how the world works. We also want to set their imagination in spin. When you hear things you can’t place or recognize, your mind automatically fills in the gaps - and our graphics will never compete with people’s own imagination.

"We want to explore horror through tense atmosphere and exploration, not high scores and combat systems. And we’re working hard to make the player feel present in the world, by for instance having a visible body at all times. Seeing your small hands crawl on the floor while hiding under the couch makes for a quite unique experience!"

Have you done any research on children? Or are you just taking more of a creative approach to it?

"We combine a creative and research-based approach. For instance we’ve been in contact with people of competence within the field of child development and psychology, as well as reading books and doing research ourselves. In addition we’ve been recording footage of nephews and the like for animation and behavior related research.

"But even though all of this research provides a lot of inspiration, we don't limit ourselves by realism. We don’t want to make a baby simulator; we want to make a creative experience for adults. In addition, the perspective, imagination and dream theme provides a lot of creative freedom to do exactly what we want, something we certainly do."

What are your influences and inspirations?

"We draw inspiration from all over the place! Everything from the Shining, to Alice in Wonderland, Lovecraft’s work or child psychology & development - a lot of things have influenced the game in one way or another. But we also have a strong wish to create something completely unique, so we try to draw most of our inspiration from our own dreams and childhood memories. We also hope that this will make the game more personal, something a project with huge teams and budgets often have hard time achieving.

"Regarding gameplay, a specific example is Amnesia, which was released a while into the production of Among the Sleep. It really reinforced our belief that our passive protagonist would work out in practice. Frictional Games demonstrated that a game without competitive mechanics (like combat or scores) would work just as effectively (if not more effectively!) in a horror setting."

You wrote a blog post addressing the controversy surrounding playing a child in a horror game. Have you received a lot of negative feedback on that topic?

"Not much yet, but when some people hear ‘Videogame’, ‘child’ and ‘horror’ in the same sentence, a few misunderstand the concept. Some have been concerned that we are using bad taste as a marketing tool, or the child protagonist simply as a gimmick to provoke. We’ve even been reluctant to describe it as a horror game externally sometimes, because many people associate ‘horror’ with brutality and gore, which doesn’t describe Among the Sleep at all.

"The blog post mentioned was written so that we would have a direction to point these people, in case it became a problem. We’re not really expecting that though, and even if it did become a problem we don’t really worry. Content categories, like sex, violence or children, are not bad taste in themselves - only the way it’s presented can be."

Is this story driven? How do players progress through the game and are there any non-linear elements to the experience?

"It’s definitely story driven, both through a compelling plot and metaphorically - related to what actually evokes this fear and confusion in the child. But we’d rather not go into detail regarding the story, as exploration and wonder is quite central to the experience. We can say as much as that your goal throughout the game is the search for safety and comfort.

"Regarding non-linearity, we definitely want the game's systems to observe the player and respond to that. It’s crucial that players do not see a system that can be fooled, but instead feel that there are real threats to hide from. At the same time we're encountering a few design challenges - a system like this is easily reproduced for many similar levels, but as you can see in our Environment Teaser, we want to keep Among the Sleep as diverse and varied as possible! Not only in how threats behave, but all over, and we don't want any filler content. Conclusion - we're still experimenting."

Can you tell us more about the child's Teddy Bear? What is its role in the game?

"Teddy has a significant role as a story-driving companion, mostly hanging on your back and occasionally talking. At times he will also factor into the gameplay to a certain degree, providing comfort and temporary safety. I’d like to stress that he will mostly be hanging on your back though, so he will not be an frustrating AI character that stands in your way, or attracts threats etc."

You mentioned that the avoidance of combat (for lack of an effective defense) was key, how interactive will hiding be? Will the main character be able to enter closets, etc.?

"Definitely! We’re aiming to make the environment as interactive as possible, so for instance you’ll be able to push, pull and climb objects, open and close doors and cupboards, make a staircase out of drawers, peek around corners, carry and place small objects, and the list goes on. These abilities will be used actively in hectic situations, to find hiding spots to stay safe for example."

Will there be a large variety of environments to explore?

"The house in the gameplay teaser and alpha is only one of the earliest chapters, and you will be travelling a long way from home before the end. The environments are also inspired by the surreal and unpredictable nature of dreams and imagination, so it will range from things like the house you saw in the gameplay teaser, to an abandoned playground inside a dark cave. With a setting like this we have no reason to limit our creativity!"

In AtS players can choose to walk or crawl. How does this affect the way game plays? Is there more to it than just to crawl into small spaces etc.?

"Definitely! One example is that you generally crawl faster than you walk because you’re still a bit unsteady on your feet. But at the same time, while standing you’ll be able to run for a few meters if you’re in a real hurry (if you don’t stop after that you’ll topple over!). In addition, you will have to stand upright to drag chairs and other larger things around, but suddenly you’ll have to crawl under a table to hide as you suggested. So yes, the player will be forced to switch between the different ‘stances’ actively to survive and progress."

Is it challenging to find ways to create tension that don't rely on the possibility of combat?

"Threats will still leap at you from the shadows, so removing combat only changes what actions you must perform to overcome them. We feel that combat systems are exactly that, systems. People will often master it, or be frustrated by it, either way the horror disappears. Instead, players will have to explore and find places to hide and avoid confrontation, which also maintains the crucial mystique of horror. You’ll be thinking “What was that thing!?” instead of getting time to study every creature."

How many hours of gameplay can we expect?

"We estimate minimum 4 hours of gameplay in the finished game, though this might change in the continued development. We’re quite critical to the quality of what makes it into the game, and we don’t want any unnecessary filler content. Also, we are a small team of indie developers with limited resources! What we lack in playtime, we hope to substitute with quality and creativity."

On which platforms will AtS be released?

"We want as many people to be able to play Among the Sleep as possible! It will definitely be released for PC, MAC & Linux, and our dialogues with sony about a possible PS4 is going good as well (no promises!). We just got the game greenlit on Steam, and we’re also finalising the details regarding a GOG release. In addition we will be offering a completely DRM-free version through paypal / amazon from our own website."

Can you talk a bit about the role of sound in the game? It seems like it plays a strong role in terms of both adding to the scariness but also guiding the player along.

"Sound is definitely a crucial part of Among the Sleep, and we even consider it around 70% of the experience! We want the sound to set the players own imagination in spin, like a scared child. When you hear things you don’t recognize or can’t place, your mind automatically fills in the gaps, and our graphics will never compete with people’s own imagination. The more things our players create in their heads to substantiate the things we throw at them, the better!"

You’ve announced Oculus Rift support for Among the Sleep. What made you interested in this technology?

"The immersion it offers! It’s surprising how big a difference there is between a traditional flat screen and the sense of depth and isolation from the outside world the Rift offers. It reminded me a bit of scuba diving, in that you almost forget there is another world out there. As you can see in the announcement video, we have a quick test of Among the Sleep running already. We can definitely confirm that looking down at your own baby body, or up at the door handle towering high above you, is quite a special experience while wearing the Rift. Also, the added tracking for orientation adds a physical connection to the game unlike anything we’ve experienced.

"The sense of perspective the Rift achieves, makes playing a two year old child an even more unique and tangible experience. The sense of scale it adds, also makes everything more firm and relatable, and the child‘s perspective more genuine. At last the isolation from the outside world, makes for a even more immersive experience."