When the upcoming first-person horror game The Occultist was announced, I couldn’t stop thinking about how the protagonist looks like a cross between Johnny Bananas and John Krasinski. Apparently, I watch way too much of The Challenge and think way too much about the fanservice casting of Reed Richards. But what actually makes The Occultist stand out is its story. Alan heads to an abandoned island where his father grew up to investigate his disappearance. He’s the only living soul on the island… or is he? The Occultist will be released for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox in 2025.
For decades, Alan Rebels has heard his father mentioning the island of GodStone. Regardless, his knowledge ends at the fact his father was born and spent his earliest years there. When his father disappears (hello, common trope!), Alan heads to the island with his trusty mystical pendulum. Its origin is a mystery but Alan has carried it on every one of his past investigations. As he explores, he finds that the only remaining anything is foggy streets and maddening buildings. It quickly becomes obvious that this case will be unlike any other.
As a paranormal investigator, Alan does know the history of GodStone. A macabre cult lived there until 1950, performing horrifying, cruel experiments and rituals. After their departure, nobody ever set food on the island. Only ominous souls remain – souls which Alan must interact with or avoid, depending on their temperament. GodStone is a terrifying place that makes Alan questions his beliefs in the occult. Is GodStone cursed, and if so, can it be lifted? But if the answer is yes, should it be?
The mystic pendulum allows Alan to interact with the world around him, modifying it because of its five unique and original mechanics. It is an important object, though it raises more questions than answers.
The Occultist is a first-person horror game, complete with tense exploration and atmosphere. It also seems to add a solid amount of personal narrative into the mix. Alan always avoids direct combat, so the gameplay is quite stealthy. Puzzles, ranging from straightforward to those requiring knowledge of the occult arts, are also part of the experience.
Developed by DALOAR (formerly known as Pentakill Studios) and published by Daedalic Entertainment, The Occultist will be released for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series in 2025.
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