Halloween still scares the living crap out of us. We can’t deal with the abundance of films and video games that feature creepy dolls, undead minions, chainsaw wielding maniacs and flesh eating zombies. Out stomachs are a little uneasy now that we know what will be the scariest game of October 2014 – The Evil Within. The brainchild and video game development genius that is Shinji Mikami has lent his expertise toward the production of this horrifying release. He took some time away from crafting nightmarish creatures and scenarios to answer a few questions. We present to you this exclusive interview with the “father of survival horror” Shinji Mikami.
Grizzly Bomb: So what are the main plot details within The Evil Within?
Shinji Mikami: You play as a detective that arrives on the scene of a gruesome mass murder at a mental hospital. From there you have to uncover who or what is behind it. I really can’t give too much more away than that.
What are some of the ways in which the game keeps things unpredictable and scary?
Unpredictability is a key element with the game’s shifting realities. Keeping the player constantly guessing is part of the tension. Another source of tension is trying to survive with only limited resources available.
What weapons will be a part of Sebastian’s arsenal?
Sebastian has several weapons, from the typical handgun and shotgun to a more unique weapon called the Agony bow. This weapon works very similar to a crossbow but you can create various bolts by collecting parts scattered around the world.
What types of horrifying enemies will players run into?
Without revealing too much, there are many enemies players will run into – including this long-haired spider-like woman we call Laura. There’s also The Keeper who is a relentless fearsome enemy.
What types of DLC can players expect to see?
We have two story-driven pieces of content and one fun take of The Keeper. Right now we’re just focused on getting the game into everyone’s hands though – we’ll have more to share on the DLC after that.
Did any other forms of horror media (films, books, games etc.) inspire the game’s art design?
The game has been inspired from various media. If I had to mention some, they would be films like Shutter Island and Inception. In terms of books, it would be Yotsuya Kaidan, stories from Japanese folklore. The team’s various inspirations also contribute to the final art design as well.
Are there any recent games within the survival horror genre that you personally enjoyed?
The most recent game I enjoyed playing was The Last of Us. It was well made and I enjoyed playing it very much.
Do you feel that there is a severe lack of games today that are genuinely scary?
I think there are plenty of games that people find scary.
What’s the one thing you’d like to tell all future owners of The Evil Within?
We are very happy with the game and look forward to everyone getting a chance to the play the game soon. Sweaty hand and controller guaranteed.
Count us in. We will be taking a longer look at The Evil Within over the next week, so stay tuned to GB for more! Are you a fan of scary games? Let us know in the comments section below or join the discussion on the Grizzlybomb Facebook page!
Images: Tango Gameworks/ Bethesda
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