There are certain parts of nature that inherently feel scarier than others. A dark forest, sheer cliffs, open bodies of water. Something about the enormity of the natural world engulfing you triggers a fight or flight response in the body, and the unknown possibilities hiding within that world feel much more tangible than the zombies of so many survival horror video games. This is what makes The Excavation of Hob’s Barrow, a 2022 narrative horror game, so thrilling. Currently on sale for just $8.99, it’s a perfect game for Halloween.
Like the seminal horror novel Dracula, The Excavation of Hob’s Barrow begins on a train, as our protagonist leaves the relative safety of civilization. Thomasina Bateman, a Victorian antiquary (basically an archaeologist) arrives by locomotive to the isolated village of Bewlay in the moors, large open areas dominated by hills. She is here to excavate the titular barrow but soon encounters a series of events in the small village that discourage her endeavors.
Taking the form of a classic pixel adventure game (think the Monkey Island series but less comedic), you step into the shoes of Thomasina on her journey in Bewlay. While the main goal is to dig at the barrow, the town’s web of residents and happenings sucks you in. Whether you are digging out on the moors, relaxing at the local tavern, or exploring the small town at night, the one constant is an overwhelming sense of smallness and dread in the isolated village.
Much like being on a ship at night and not seeing anything around for miles, the moors Thomasina finds herself in make Bewlay feel like the last bastion of humanity in any direction. The moors themselves are particularly threatening in their sprawling emptiness, which has led to folktales about them spreading amongst the villagers. Whether these are true or not, and whether they are impacting your sanity, is something to be discovered as you push on through the journey.
The most popular horror video games often revolve around jumpscares and monstrous enemies. Resident Evil works because the zombies are scary as hell and it takes a while to gain back some power through finding new weaponry. The titular monster of Alien: Isolation hunts you down and stabs you through the chest with its spear-like tail in a display that is likely to make you scream no matter how many times it happens. But none of that exists in The Excavation of Hob’s Barrow. Instead, there is an ever-prescient sense that you do not belong on the moors and that you cannot fathom the horrible things that lurk within them. The atmosphere of the game unnerves you at every turn but makes going down the rabbit hole enticing thanks to a well-written central mystery. For anybody looking for something more unique to play for Halloween, this is the game for you.
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