Solomon Thompson, Author at Rely on Horror

Best Villains In Horror Games

Solomon Thompson — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 17:47:30 +0000

There are many aspects that make a great horror game, and one of them is the antagonist. While every horror game consists of a dark theme and many terrifying enemies, what makes it special is the villain.

Although every horror game has some sort of main antagonist, some of them have been really iconic, making the game way more terrifying. Today, we are going to list some of the best villains ever made in a horror game.

Slender Man

Starting off with the faceless Slender Man from the Slender series. While he doesn’t come after you directly like other villains or barely even moves, Slender Man gives players goosebumps just with his presence in the game.

The Slender Man takes players to dark places where they have to go through many disturbing pages while he is after them. He is just there, standing, watching players quietly without moving, and nobody has an idea whether he moves or teleports.

The mysterious aura of Slender Man makes him one of the best antagonists created in any horror game.

The Baker Family

While the Resident Evil franchise has released some titles with some very iconic villains, one of them is the Baker Family, consisting of the father, Jack Baker, who runs after the protagonist with half of his head missing.

If he is not enough to creep players out, his wife, Marguerite Baker, crawls on ceilings with her long limbs in the game. The Baker family also has their son, Lucas, who is no different from the rest of his family.

Once a happy, loving family, they become sadistic killers after their disastrous backstory. As the Baker Family starts chasing Ethan Winters, the main protagonist in Resident Evil 7, the game becomes terrifying and memorable, making the Baker Family unforgettable.

Nemesis

Unlike villains like Slender Man, who terrify players just with their presence, Nemesis, the main antagonist in Resident Evil 3, was made for full destruction and simply deserves to be on the list.

Nemesis was present everywhere in the game, terrifying players and making their experience more horrific throughout. He runs after players ruthlessly, and even when the game has a fake ending where a rescue helicopter is coming to save them, Nemesis shoots it down.

Resident Evil 3 had one of the most iconic endings. When the remake of the title was released in 2020, Nemesis was upgraded to offer a more destructive experience to players. He is undoubtedly one of the most terrifying antagonists ever made in a horror game.

Alma Wade

Alma Wade, the main antagonist of the F.E.A.R. series, has been one of the most terrifying characters players have ever encountered in any horror title.

Although her character inspiration has been taken from Japanese tropes, what makes her scary is her psychic powers and spectral figure. Because of her tragic and messed-up backstory, Alma can easily exploit anyone while manipulating the minds of the ones she wants to.

Not to spoil anything, the end of the second game proves why Alma Wade is easily one of the scariest villains and why anyone who loves and enjoys horror games would never forget her.

Pyramid Head

How can we think of ending the list without mentioning one of the most iconic monsters from the Silent Hill franchise, Pyramid Head? He is most likely the first character to come to mind when anyone talks about Silent Hill monsters.

Although he appeared in many titles of the iconic franchise, his first appearance in Silent Hill 2 was amazing for multiple reasons, one of them being the design of the character, which makes him distinctive and the most disturbing out of every monster in the franchise.

With an eerie helmet and blades in his hands, Pyramid Head would appear anytime at random places, even in optional areas, to make the experience more terrifying and disturbing for players. For all those reasons, he will always be recognized as one of the most iconic villains in horror game history.

These are some of the most iconic villains in horror game history, and there are indeed many more, like the Scissor Man, Albert Wesker, and many others, who have made the horror gaming genre more terrifying with their existence.

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Epic Games CEO Confirms: Alan Wake 2 Will Not Be Coming to Steam

Solomon Thompson — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 17:06:33 +0000

Alan Wake 2 will not be released on Steam. This confirmation comes directly from Tim Sweeney, the CEO of Epic Games, the company that funded and made the game possible. As it stands, Epic Games appears to have the final say on where the game is published.

Sweeney addressed the matter in response to a Reddit user named Freaky_Ass_69_God. The user expressed interest in purchasing the game but stated they would only do so if it were available on Steam, citing their lack of enthusiasm for the Epic Games Store. They also inquired whether the game might be released on Steam within a year or two. Sweeney’s reply was straightforward and final: “It’s not coming to Steam.”

Some have questioned the authenticity of Sweeney’s email, but it seems he frequently responds to player queries, as noted in multiple accounts from the Reddit thread. The same user who raised the question also claimed to have received responses from Sweeney in the past.

In case you don’t know, Alan Wake 2 has not been a massive commercial success so far, reportedly selling about 1.8 million copies. According to financial documents from Remedy Entertainment, the game has yet to generate a profit. Epic Games fully financed the project, and without their investment, the game likely wouldn’t have been developed. While releasing it on Steam might boost sales, Epic Games might view the lost sales from Valve’s platform as an acceptable trade-off for drawing more users to the Epic Games Store.

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Leon Kennedy Confirmed as Resident Evil 9 Protagonist by Insider

Solomon Thompson — Sun, 26 Jan 2025 18:39:03 +0000

Dusk Golem, a well-known insider who has shared potential leaks and information about the Resident Evil series in the past, has revealed new details about the protagonist of Resident Evil 9. Despite previously stating his intention to step away from insider activities, Dusk Golem claims with 100% certainty that the main character of the upcoming game will be Leon Kennedy.

While this information might seem small on its own, it carries significant weight within the Resident Evil universe. Characters in the series are deeply tied to ongoing subplots and narrative arcs, and revealing the protagonist hints at potential connections to other characters and events within the storyline. The growing and diverse cast of Resident Evil makes predicting further details challenging, but Leon’s role as the protagonist opens the door for speculation about who else might appear in the game.

Dusk Golem also stated via Discord that Jill Valentine will not play a significant role in the game, further confirming that Leon will take the spotlight in Resident Evil 9. This announcement is exciting for fans, especially given Leon’s enduring popularity since the release of Resident Evil 4.

Adding to the speculation, Nick Apostolides, Leon’s official voice actor, recently mentioned that he is involved in a new AAA project. His comments align with the terminology he has used in the past to describe his work as Leon, fueling rumors that he is reprising his role. Another possible clue is the fact that Koshi Nakanishi, the director of the new installment, follows Nick Apostolides on Instagram. Notably, Nakanishi does not follow any other Western actors, which many see as a subtle hint about Leon’s involvement in the game.

If Leon is indeed the protagonist, other iconic characters like Ada Wong and Claire Redfield could likely join the cast, as their stories are intricately connected to Leon’s.

It’s also worth noting that this isn’t the first time rumors about Leon being the lead in Resident Evil 9 have surfaced. There has also been speculation that the game could be announced soon, with a release window expected to be revealed. However, no official announcements have been made as of yet. Fans will have to wait for more concrete details to confirm whether these rumors hold true.

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Best Female Protagonists in Horror Games

Solomon Thompson — Sun, 26 Jan 2025 17:04:46 +0000

Horror games are made with the purpose of terrifying players as they come up with strange stories, evil antagonists, and much more. However, the main protagonist is another major part of any horror game that makes the journey more exciting and memorable for the players.

Although the horror genre has seen some of the best female protagonists over the years, we are going to look at the most iconic ones who made their respective titles worth playing.

Best Female Protagonists in Horror Games

Regina

Regina remains one of the most iconic protagonists in the history of horror games despite Capcom totally forgetting about the Dino Crisis franchise. While the franchise is already two decades old, everyone still vividly remembers the redheaded baddie.

While the second game in the franchise had two playable characters, Regina and Dylan, players often chose the former for her witty dialogue and calm personality. Despite facing monsters and whatnot in the game, Regina never lost her cool, making the game much more interesting for the players.

With her astonishing looks and cool personality, Regina still remains one of the very best characters. Sadly, Capcom has no plans to return to the franchise, which also means we won’t get to play as her ever again.

Jill Valentine

How can we talk about the best female protagonist in the horror genre without mentioning anyone from the Resident Evil franchise? Jill Valentine is undoubtedly one of the most iconic female characters for obvious reasons.

Despite facing all sorts of hurdles, from escaping the clutches of the Crimson Heads in the first part of the franchise to her iconic line when killing the final Nemesis in Resident Evil 3, Jill Valentine will always be remembered because of her witty dialogue.

She also remains very calm and optimistic throughout her journey in the game despite facing betrayal from her own allies, yet she gives her best to save humanity.

Heather Mason

Heather Mason is one of the most cosplayed characters in the gaming industry. She became a fashion icon soon after the game was launched in the early 2000s.

The protagonist has been one of the most relatable characters in the franchise and even in the industry. Teenagers who played the game back then could really relate to her, as Silent Hill 3 was massively focused on Heather Mason’s insecurities, which became a major reason for players to relate to her.

Not only was Heather Mason relatable and a fashion icon for many, but her personality was also very interesting. She could be depressed at one moment but goofy at another. Therefore, Heather Mason remains one of the most iconic characters to date.

Claire Redfield

It wouldn’t be fair if we ended the list without mentioning another character from the Resident Evil franchise, and that’s easily Claire Redfield. After Valentine, she’s been another of the franchise’s most iconic characters.

While the character debuted in the second game in the franchise and was very young, she became a crucial part of the franchise. Although she was very nice and naive during her early times in the game, the character matured astonishingly well throughout the series, making her one of the best female characters.

Fiona Belli

Last but not least, Fiona Belli from Haunting Ground makes the top of the list. Unlike other characters in the genre who are experienced soldiers or agents, Fiona Belli is just an 18-year-old who is scared of being stalked, which is highly relatable for most women.

To make the experience more immersive for the players, Fiona Belli couldn’t use any weapons throughout the game, making it more difficult for her to escape her nightmare, but she managed to do it by staying calm.

She remains one of the most relatable yet iconic characters, even though she wasn’t given much dialogue in the game. However, her journey is worth experiencing as she makes her way out of a mysterious castle.

It should be noted that these are just our top five most iconic female protagonists in the horror genre and are not listed in any particular order. As the genre has seen a great resurgence in the last few years, this was the right time to look back at the characters who carried it throughout the decades.

Who are some of your female protagonists in horror games? Let us know in the comments below.

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Resident Evil Set to Return to Theaters with a Horror-Focused Reboot by Barbarian Director

Solomon Thompson — Sun, 26 Jan 2025 16:40:56 +0000

According to a report published by The Hollywood Reporter, a Resident Evil reboot film is in development, intended to serve as a fresh start for the cinematic franchise and return to the horror roots of the original game, originally released in 1996.

The report reveals that the film will be directed by Zach Cregger, the actor and filmmaker behind the 2022 horror movie Barbarian. The screenplay will be handled by Shay Hatten, known for his work on John Wick: Chapter 4 and Army of the Dead. Additionally, the production will be a collaboration between Constantin Film, the company that has held the cinematic rights to Resident Evil since the 1990s, and PlayStation Productions, a studio established in 2019 to adapt Sony’s major gaming IPs into films and TV shows.

The previous Resident Evil film series consisted of six movies released between 2002 and 2016, grossing a total of $1.2 billion. Although loosely based on the stories and characters from the video games, the films focused on an original character named Alice, played by Milla Jovovich, and leaned heavily toward action-oriented storytelling.

Following the end of that series, Constantin Film attempted to reboot the franchise with limited success. This included a Netflix TV series and the 2021 film Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City.

Sources in the Hollywood Reporter claim that Zach Cregger’s vision for the new film will embrace the horror tone of the original games and stay much closer to their narrative and atmosphere. If confirmed, this direction could excite long-time fans of the franchise.

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The Top 5 Horror Games to Anticipate in 2025

Solomon Thompson — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 15:12:51 +0000

Recent years have been amazing for the horror genre fans as titles like Alan Wake 2, Resident Evil 4 Remake, Silent Hill 2 Remake, and so many others have kept fans of the genre busy throughout the last few years.

Following the recent massive years, it looks like the horror genre is only getting bigger and more popular as we are set to see more horror games next year. Today, we are going to list some of the best upcoming horror games to look forward to this year.

Cronos: The New Dawn

To start with, one of the titles we are really looking forward to is Cronos: The New Dawn, from the Bloober Team. Having recently released the Silent Hill 2 Remake, which exceeded everyone’s expectations, the studio has already announced its next project.

While not much has been revealed about the title yet, Cronos: The New Dawn is set to be a pulse-pounding, third-person survival horror game that will make the players uncover the twisted time travel story.

The protagonist will be sent to the past to save the people they believe can save the future, and that adventure will unfold many secrets, promising a hell of an experience for the players. While the release date of the game has not been announced yet, it’s likely to be released sometime in 2025 on PC, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

Directive 8020

Directive 8020 is going to be the next game in The Dark Pictures Anthology from the developers at Supermassive Games, who are known for titles like Until Dawn, The Quarry, Man of Medan, and others.

While very little is known about the title yet, the game stars Lashana Lynch as Brianna Young, an astronaut and the pilot of the colony ship that ends up crashing on a land twelve light-years away from Earth.

The developers have also confirmed that they drew inspiration from movies like The Thing, Alien, Solaris, among others. Although the exact release date of the game hasn’t been announced yet, the title is planned for release in 2025 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.

Little Nightmares 3

After three years since the last entry, Little Nightmares is finally returning with another game in the franchise. However, many had expected that the franchise wouldn’t return after Embracer Group purchased Tarsier Studios, the original developers of the game.
Bandai Namco decided to continue the franchise with Supermassive Games, who already have massive experience in developing horror titles. Even with the new developers, the game is likely to offer a similar experience to its predecessors.

Unlike other titles on the list, Little Nightmares 3 doesn’t offer much combat experience, but it’s more of a puzzle-platform horror adventure game. The game is also planned for release next year on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

Dark Fracture

Dark Fracture has been in development for a while as the game’s first demo was released over four years ago in 2020 on Steam, where it was met with great reception from fans.

However, since then, the game has been in development without many announcements. Finally, after years of development, Twisted II Studio has confirmed that the title is coming out next year. The platforms it will be released on haven’t been announced yet, but it is most likely targeting both current and last-gen consoles.

Dying Light: The Beast

Last but not least, the Dying Light franchise is also returning with a full-fledged standalone game for fans next year. Dying Light: The Beast will feature the main protagonist of the franchise, Kyle Crane, who was seen sacrificing himself in the past.

The developers have surprised the fans with his return for one final ride in this upcoming standalone, which was planned to be a DLC but ended up being a complete 18-hour experience for the players, coming with another post-apocalyptic adventure.

The game will take place thirteen years after the original story when Crane embarks on a quest for revenge. Dying Light: The Beast is finally coming out in 2025 and will be released for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

While these are some amazing horror titles coming next year, there are many more like OD from Kojima Productions and Silent Hill f, which will likely receive more teases this year.

With a line up like this, 2025 is shaping up to be an amazing year for horror fans.

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SOMA, Amnesia: Rebirth, and Amnesia: The Bunker Announced for Switch

Solomon Thompson — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 15:27:13 +0000

Abylight Studios has announced an exciting collaboration with Frictional Games to bring the studio’s iconic horror games to the Nintendo Switch. This partnership includes SOMA, Amnesia: Rebirth, and Amnesia: The Bunker, as well as a physical edition of Amnesia: Collection.

Digital Releases:

SOMA: A horror and science-fiction video game set under the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Fight to survive in a hostile world that will make you question your own existence.
Amnesia: Rebirth: The sequel for Amnesia: The Dark Descent is a first-person horror adventure. Uncover your past and survive the Algerian desert. Fear is your enemy; stay calm to not succumb to an illness threatening you and your loved one. Avoid darkness, hide from monsters and solve puzzles.
Amnesia: The Bunker: Set in a WW1 bunker. In this 2023 release a relentless, AI-driven monster stalks you. Survival depends on finding tools, crafting items, and keeping the lights on.

Physical Release (already available digitally):

Amnesia: Collection: This package includes Amnesia: The Dark Descent (2010), Amnesia: A Machine For Pigs (2013), and Justine (2011), which originally debuted as additional content for The Dark Descent. The collection will be the first to receive a physical edition for Nintendo Switch, set to release in 2025.

Release dates for these titles on Nintendo Switch have yet to be announced. Currently, all games are available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.

Additionally, Amnesia: Collection is already available digitally on Switch, while Amnesia: Rebirth and Amnesia: The Bunker are also accessible on Xbox Series.

Nintendo Switch players have much to look forward to with these thrilling additions to the platform.

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Resident Evil Zero Remake and Movie Adaptation Rumored to Be in Development

Solomon Thompson — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 16:21:23 +0000

Capcom may be working on a remake of Resident Evil Zero and a movie adaptation of the title, according to rumors shared by the insider AestheticGamer aka Dusk Golem (thanks Twisted Voxel). If confirmed, these projects could play a significant role in celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Resident Evil series.

Reports suggest that Screen Gems/Constantin Films, the company holding the cinematic rights to Resident Evil, has a contractual obligation to release a movie tied to the franchise every five fiscal years. The last film, Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, was released in the 2021 fiscal year, meaning a new adaptation must arrive by the end of 2026.

The upcoming film is rumored to be directed by Zach Cregger and will focus on the story of Resident Evil Zero. The plot will center around Rebecca Chambers and Billy Coen, exploring the origins of the T-virus and reviving one of the lesser-known but crucial narratives of the franchise.

Capcom is also reportedly developing a remake of Resident Evil Zero, which could coincide with the launch of the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2. The game may initially be exclusive to Nintendo’s new console, providing an opportunity to introduce new players to the origins of the franchise. This remake would follow the success of previous reimagined titles like Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 4, potentially reigniting interest in Rebecca and Billy’s story.

Looking ahead, 2026 could also mark the release of Resident Evil 9. According to AestheticGamer, Capcom might celebrate the franchise’s anniversary with a theme that ties together the beginning and end of the series’ current era.

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Until Dawn Movie Will Feature Original Story and Characters Different From the Video Game

Solomon Thompson — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 01:09:51 +0000

The upcoming Until Dawn movie will introduce an entirely new cast of characters and a fresh storyline, diverging from the narrative of the 2015 video game and its PS5 remake.

This information came from Ashley Brucks, president of Sony’s film division Screen Gems, during a presentation at CES. Brucks assured fans that the film will remain true to the spirit of the original material while offering a unique cinematic experience.

Brucks said (thanks IGN):

The key to successfully adapting these games comes down to one thing: respecting the source material. Our close collaboration with PlayStation Productions gives us and our filmmakers the advantage of working directly with the creators of the game.

Filmmaker David F. Sandberg, a self-proclaimed fan of the game, has opted for a fresh take on the Until Dawn universe. The movie will retain the core premise of a group of friends facing a terrifying and life-threatening night, but the story and characters will be entirely original.

Regarding Sandberg, Brucks explained:

In adapting Until Dawn, filmmaker David F. Sandberg, who is a big fan of the widely acclaimed game, took the essence of what makes the game great and selected elements we think are the most important to the fans and paid homage to it in the right way. We then built out Until Dawn’s universe, using the core premise of a group of friends who encounter a variety of terrifying threats to tell a new story that is truly visceral and horrifying.

Actor Peter Stormare, who will reprise his role as Dr. Hill, echoed these sentiments, saying:

I have been lucky to be part of Until Dawn since the original, incredible, super terrifying game. That’s why I’m so excited to be part of this film, because the whole thing is a love letter to horror, and it completely honors the spirit of the game. The movie is going to be full of fresh characters and victims in a brand new story loaded with twists, so whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering it for the first time, get ready for Until Dawn like you’ve never seen it before.

The Until Dawn movie is set to hit theaters on April 25, 2025.

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STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl Has Already Recouped Its Development Costs

Solomon Thompson — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 15:56:48 +0000

STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl, the ambitious post-apocalyptic open-world game from GSC Game World, has already recouped its development costs and begun generating profits, according to its co-owner, Maksym Krippa.

In an interview with Forbes, Krippa expressed satisfaction with the game’s performance, noting impressive sales numbers in its first month of release.

Despite a budget that exceeded “tens of millions of dollars” due to prolonged development times, the project was entirely funded through internal resources, sparking initial concerns about its commercial viability. “We’ve already sold enough to make the project profitable,” Krippa stated. He highlighted the team’s relentless efforts, working tirelessly before launch despite the challenging circumstances in Ukraine, all with the aim of honoring their country and showcasing the strength of its developers.

Krippa described the game as a significant milestone, not just for the studio but for Ukraine as a whole. While budget and investment details remain confidential, the early success of STALKER 2 underscores the global enthusiasm surrounding the title and the resilience of its creators. GSC Game World revealed that over one million copies were shipped on launch day, signaling the game’s strong commercial start.

STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl, powered by Unreal Engine 5, is now available for Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Game Pass.

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