We have the chance to play the early access version of the new Indonesian horror title Nightmare Side: the Game. The game is based on a long-running Indonesian horror radio show called Nightmare Side. According to developer Hige Studio, the show originated “in the heart of Bandung, Indonesia, since 1997, this iconic show has been the epicentre of ghost stories and paranormal experiences, shared by a devoted audience eager to delve into the mysteries of the unknown.”
The game plays out in first-person and you use the show’s offices to uncover the spooky goings on using clues and messages sent to your phone. The early access game is out now on Steam and has seen a positive response from horror game fans. We gave it a go ourselves to see if it’s more fright or flight.
This game is fairly slow-paced throughout, you don’t run anywhere, just walk about the studio performing tasks and solving puzzles. Of course, being a horror title, there are jump scares along the way and you will need to avoid the spirits and ghosts that are out to get you. You collect items, unlock doors, and generally read a lot of notes that you collect along the way.
The overall presentation has a classic Asian horror feel with great lighting and blurry passageways. There is a genuine attempt to recreate classic horror stories and the atmosphere of the studio is eerie in all the best ways. Nightmare Side also features excellent sound design which is exactly what you would expect considering its radio show roots.
The graphics are decent if not outstanding and have this blur effect that you will either enjoy, as it adds to the horror mystery, or find it hard to see certain objects or where to go next. The constant having to check your notes or read messages on your phone does get in the way at times but doesn’t stop this from being a scarefest.
This game is perfect for hardcore horror fans, especially those who enjoy Asian horror although those who want more action will not find it here. The keyboard controls work well considering the slower pace of the game. Hopefully, controller access will be added later in development as using the keyboard, while fine, does limit the appeal and its potential to be ported to consoles. Nightmare Side is a decent horror title that can only get better with more development time.
