Summary
Silent HillandResident Evilare two long-lasting horror franchises widely seen as pinnacles of the genre. Many fans are eagerly awaiting theSilent Hill 2remake on the horizon, along with therumored open-worldResident Evil 9reportedly in the works. TheResident Evilfranchise also continues to evolve, including entering the world of VR, withResident Evil 4 VRbeing a big hit. Various fan-made projects also recreated the renowned, albeit canceled, P.T., indicating the appetite for games likeSilent Hillin VR. With such enduring popularity, it’s no wonder both franchises remain inspirational within the horror genre.The Bounds VRis an upcoming indie horror title that proudly professesSilent HillandResident Evilas inspirations and is the first game in Build the Light Studio’sProject Louisiana.
The Bounds VRtakes players to a creepy-looking Louisiana mansion where they must search for protagonist Booker’s missing daughter and unravel a mysterious curse. It looks set to be a disturbing and memorable horror experience that could be one to watch, especially for fans eagerly awaiting the nextResident EvilandSilent Hillinstallments. Game Rant recently interviewed Build the Light Studio’s Project Manager/Lead 3D Artist/Lead Level Designer Pierre Mauger and Lead Developer/Lead Designer Géraud Toussaint about howSilent HillandResident Evilspecifically inspiredThe Bounds VR. Mauger and Toussaint also spoke more about the horror experience they hope to create and how they want to leave players with a lasting impression long after playing the game.
How Resident Evil and Silent Hill Inspired Project Louisiana: The Bounds VR
As agame inspired bySilent HillandResident Evil, Game Rant had to ask how these titles specifically inspiredThe Bounds VR.Mauger explained thatThe Bounds VRhasResident Evil’s “classical game mechanics” and “pacing”, but specified its horror is “moreSilent HillthanResident Evil.” As Mauger explained:
There are not many jump scares, not those kinds of things. You can shoot, you can aim, you can combat with an axe. But it’s not the main part of the game. The game is atmospheric. There is a kind of sadness, a moody atmosphere, something like that.
Of course, a creepy and tense atmosphere is something that theSilent Hillgamesare known for, along with memorable and impactful storytelling. The sinister hallways and foggy grounds ofThe Bounds VR’s mansion also look similarly unnerving, and of course,Resident Evil 7: Biohazardtakes place in rural Louisiana. However, Mauger added that the studio is also humble in its approach, not wanting to revolutionize the genre but to provide a polished and memorable VR experience. As Mauger said:
But I really want the player to remember the lore, remember the story, remember what they felt when they discovered the whole case, what really happened in the mansion. That’s what we want to achieve withThe Bounds VR.
How The Bounds VR Hopes To Leave a Lasting Impression With Its Horror
Speaking about how scaryThe Bounds VRis versus otherhorror games, Mauger and Toussaint agreed that they hope to reach players somewhat differently. WhileThe Bounds VRhas some jump scares, they are not the main focus of its horror. Instead, Mauger talked about how the intention is to leave players with a lasting impression, to remember how they felt, and to experience “deep fear” and “deep discomfort.” Toussaint added that this also reflects the protagonist’s experience:
And the idea is that the players will feel kind of the same way as Booker is, which is, he doesn’t want to be there. He wants to run, but he has to find his daughter.
The Bounds VRalso includesmultiple endingsthat change according to players' in-game choices, something which could interest players who appreciate the story and lore of horror games. Altogether,The Bounds VR’sfocus on classic horror elements, atmospheric setting, and impactful storytelling could appeal toSilent HillandResident Evilfans alike.
The Bounds VRis currently in development.
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