Unpossess (Edwardian First-Person Survival Horror)
Here’s a great example of a game that needs a larger player base, especially for one that’s so creepily unique. Unpossess, subtitled Exorcism Simulator, was released to very little fanfare back in March and has yet to gain significant traction. Compare its current base to that of Ghost Watchers, released in July, four months later, and which is very similar in a number of ways. At times, unfortunately, the spirit of gaming at the time is simply fickle. Some things hit, some don’t, and it occasionally has nothing to do with the game itself. Unpossess is unfortunately one of those types, as it still currently lurks in the shadows, which is a shame because this one is verified creep and presents the possession theme so well it exorcises Hollywood horror, relegating it to made-for-TV where it belongs.
Taking place in the 1900s (Edwardian, nice touch), Unpossess puts you in control of an exorcist going at it alone in an extremely difficult single-player experience, or in multi-player. At game start you design your exorcist to a fairly limited degree, but serviceable, and then choose one of several “cases” that involves a possession, including children. That’s an easy intensity ratchet right there, let me tell you. Once you select a case, you enter the home and begin the process. At first, Unpossess seems to lean too heavily on a horror scavenger hunt, as you’re given a variety of tasks to complete before you eventually exorcise the possessed. But here’s where the distinguishing factors take root. First, as you begin to purify the location, holy shit is weird shit going on. The cinematic build they utilized begins to mess with your goddamn mind as reality breaks down. As the story explains, the demonic presence is getting pissed, and it takes it out on you the more you break its powers. This requires tending wounds, reciting scripture, and various holy tricks to keep yourself sane and alive as you continue the exorcism. As the tension rises fast action is the only thing that will save you, especially when the possessed unpredictably breaks into fits of demonic dissolution. This requires a rather quick prayer to calm them down before eventually performing the full exorcism itself. That’s point two. Unpossess actually makes possession and exorcism scary as hell. I imagine this is the effect The Exorcist had upon its first release, but which subsequent films and similar series have failed to duplicate. Possession, here, feels believable enough you’ll say prayers under your breath. It conjures ideas you hope are mere fantasy, but if real it would definitely look just like this. Goddamn. In the name of Jesus I command you out!
Written by Stanley, Devourer of Souls
Unpossess
Chreseeba Games (developer and publisher)
4.4 / 5
