Out next month, FOURSAVENT is an ambitious horror game worth keeping your eye on
This article has been published in partnership with RG Publishing
I’m utterly intrigued by FOURSAVENT, a game from solo developer Robin Castle, working under the moniker Rotten Generation Studios. There have been some excellent solo-developed horror games in recent years – most notably MADiSON and Among Ashes – but few have been as ambitious as this.
Out next month, FOURSAVENT describes itself as “a game that keeps growing”. Designed to be played either alone or with up to three other players, it’s a level-based experience, where each new level, or map, transports you to a completely different universe. Each map tells its own unique story, has its own threats and even different gameplay mechanics. So from one level to the next, you never quite know what to expect.
When it launches on 28 October, FOURSAVENT will have four different worlds to play through:
- World War II, where you’ll need to face the terrors of war, making your way through a dark and terrifying destroyed environment
- Cyberpunk, a futuristic and fascinating city – but one where something terrifying has been created by advanced technology
- The Backrooms, which throws you into an endless maze of liminal spaces, unsettling rooms and a creepy atmosphere
- Purgatory, where you’ll travel through a fantastical and supernatural world that exists between life and death.
What makes this such an ambitious project, though, is the fact that Castle promises to add one next level each month, with the community helping to shape what comes next. FOURSAVENT’s Steam page lists some other maps in the pipeline, including ‘Hell House’, ‘Rome 476AD’, a Medieval-inspired ‘King’s Row’ and ‘Pacific Northwest 2016’, with a modern lost-in-the-woods vibe. I’m excited to see them all, and can’t wait to see what jumping into a new world feels like.
There will be multiple ways to enjoy FOURSAVENT, too, thanks to two key game modes as well as a level creator. Jump into Story Mode, and you can enjoy short, cinematic horror episodes. Characters are fully-voiced, environments are handcrafted, and each story is designed to be memorable and impactful.
Then there’s Chaos Mode. Rather than enjoying one of FOURSAVENT’s worlds at a time, Chaos Mode throws you into a randomised run made up of five different sections. Being pursued by Death, your goal is to complete the challenges and puzzles of each section as quickly as possible in order to survive. You can play Chaos Mode alone, or play with friends as you work together to overcome the obstacles that lie in your path.
And if neither of those appeal to you, you can also make use of the in-game level creator to create your own experiences that you can play yourself and share with other players.
There’s a lot here, then, but I’m in awe of Castle’s ingenuity, and I can’t wait to see how FOURSAVENT shapes up. If you’re into horror, like the idea of bite-sized stories and a game that will offer up something new every month, ensure that it’s on your radar.
FOURSAVENT launches on Steam on 28th October. Add it to your wishlist, and keep up with its development by following RottenGeneration_ on Instagram.
