Summary
2024 has already been a pretty solid year for horror in the world of video games. Though it wasn’t strictly horror-focused,Banishers: Ghosts of New Edenkicked the year off in spooky style, andthe full release ofThe Outlast Trialssoon followed it, delivering an exceptionally terrifying co-op experience.Alone in the Darkpicked up the horror torch in March and, though it nearly dropped it, there are plenty of upcoming horror titles that are sure to stoke the genre’s flames once again, such asHelldblade 2,Still Wakes the Deep,Stalker 2, andHarvest Hunt.
The debut title from indie developer Villainous Games Studio,Harvest Huntis a gorgeously grimsurvival horrorgame with a few little twists up its blood-soaked sleeve. Set sometime during the Black Death’s decimation of Europe,Harvest Huntsees players take on the role of a Warden, tasked with protecting their village’s citizens from the mysterious shadowy threats of Luna Nova, a town where nothing is as it seems.
Harvest Hunt Is a Horror Game Worth Watching
Harvest Hunt Puts a Roguelike Spin on Supernatural Horror
One of the biggest selling points ofHarvest Huntis itsunique roguelike spinthat sees players take control of a villager who’s been randomly assigned the role of Warden. As Warden, the player must survive five fateful nights, collecting a resource called Ambrosia to keep the town of Luna Nova alive.
After collecting enough Ambrosia, and completing any additional tasks assigned to them, the player can end their night, earning rewards that increase in usefulness as the game goes on.
However, surviving a night inHarvest Huntis much easier said than done. Another crux ofHarvest Huntis its nightmarish, otherworldly entity known as The Devourer, a being that hunts the player relentlessly as they try to go about completing their various objectives in Luna Nova. The player will need to carefully pick and choose their moments to harvest and use their lanterns, as both activities will attract the Devourer. But there’s much more toHarvest Hunt’s gameplay loop than a simplegame of cat and mouse.
After each night inHarvest Hunt, players are given a selection ofcards known as “Whispers.” These cards will drastically affect the general gameplay loop ofHarvest Hunt, bringing both positive and negative modifiers to the game.
These range from beneficial Blessing cards that halve the damage dealt by The Devourer, to Calamities that negatively affect Luna Nova or the Warden such as forcing the player to banish The Devourer completely before they can end the night, to Monster Mutations that give The Devourer a special trait such as a trail of noxious gas. Players will also gradually unlock a series of useful tools throughoutHarvest Huntthat allow them to damage The Devourer, restore their own health, and better navigate the game’s labyrinthian corn fields.
Harvest Hunt Is Perfect for Fans of Inscryption
Though their gameplay differs greatly,Harvest Huntwould be a great game to scratch thatInscryptionitch. Much likeInscryption,Harvest Huntfeatures a wonderfully grim hand-drawn art style, giving the game a sort of cel-shaded look that pairs perfectly with its darker lighting and eerie atmosphere. On top of its art style,Harvest Hunt’s roguelike, deck-building mechanicsshould also tick a few boxes forInscryptionfans looking for their next horror title.
Harvest Huntis set to release on June 22, 2025, on PC.
