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PERCEPTION: Gothic Horror Meets Innovative Indie

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Lately, Indie games have become some of my centrally favorite treats in the realm of videogames. The concise format has become a relaxing getaway from mainstream, massive open-world games that tend to makeup the majority of releases nowadays. Perception is undoubtedly a notable standout in recent indie titles when it comes to innovative story delivery but not all parts follows through.

Perception follows Cassie as she heads out to visit an abandoned mansion that she has been haunted by in dreams. A lot of the setup feels vaguely familiar to Gone Home, with one huge  divisive addition… Cassie is blind. Being blind she is only able to navigate using “echolocation,” a sort of Daredevil-esque way of sensing the world around you.

Using echolocation in the game relies on sounds in any given space. For example, tapping your cane on the floor sends out waves allowing you to catch glimpses of your environment. This becomes horrifying for two blaring reasons, you guys. For one, you are having to make noise in order to “see.” And two, when you aren’t tapping your screen is completely black. Once you learn the mechanics of the game, an ominous force known as the Presence, will come find you if you make too much noise. This leaves you rationing the amount of times you are allowed to tap your cane, while trying to navigate the spooky house.

This first-person experience is all about exploration and  mostly plays out through audio-recordings or notes left around the house. Phone apps that were designed to assist the blind come into play, as Cassie can turn text to speech, or send other users pics of whatever images she needs deciphered.

Perception, is broken into four different stories, each taking place in a different era. In each era, Cassie discovers the fates of different residents who have lived and died in the house. Each classically gothic horror story is based partly on fact and unravels in dark and unexpected ways.

The stories end up taking center stage in terms of what will keep you playing through the game as a whole. A lot of the divisive mechanics that make the game a standout, become gimmicky at times even a complete nuisance. When you start the game off, tapping your cane and taking in pulses of your surroundings is spine-chilling, but towards the end of the game you will find yourself tapping with little to no caution. The Tales from the Crypt-ish anthology stories, are the real meat of this meal and at times will cause some goose bump-inducing jump scares.

I found it really interesting that when beginning a new game, you are given an option that will either allow Cassie to pedantically speak in-game or to keep silent. This has become something I’m fascinated with as of late. Silent protagonists in games allow the player to feel like they are truly stepping into the shoes of the character. Sometimes when protagonists speak, it can immediately break any immersion may have been built up. I chose to keep Cassie with her in game voice and soon changed that option back to the quiet approach. Cassie’s reaction to scary moments isn’t believable, a lot of times her response is filled with bravado and would be a better fit for Ash from Evil Dead. I highly recommend playing this one without a chatty Cassie.

Perception, achieves tons of innovation in a game that would have felt too much like Gone Home without the echolocation mechanics. If you go in knowing this isn’t a fast-paced or over strictly terrifying game, you will get the absolute most out of the story. I appreciate the concise short story telling delivery system that it does achieve, and even when the mechanics that may have sold you on this game begin to get old, a well told story will keep you held for in place for a satisfying finale.

Perception is out now on PC, Playstation 4 and Xbox One.

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New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

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Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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