Resident Evilfans remain eager for the next chapter in Capcom’s seminal horror franchise, but in the interim, they’re in luck.Modern horror gaming is arguably enjoying a golden age, especially when it comes to the indie scene, which has been host to several high-quality, inventive masterpieces over the past few years.
Many of these indie games seem to adhere to certain tropes and stylistic trappings. Creative choices like a retro art style, survival horror gameplay, and psychologically challenging stories alaSilent Hillare all at the forefront of contemporary indie horror.Resident Evil, which played a major role in popularizing survival horror in the wake of titles likeAlone In the Dark, appears to serve as an inspiration for a number of horror developers, as its approach to combat, exploration, and puzzle-solving shines through in a number of independent titles. The upcomingConscriptfollows all the aforementioned conventions, but it appears to be wildly original as well, promising to stand out in a sea of suchRE-inspired games.
Conscript Looks Like a Mix of Resident Evil and Historical Action Games
Based on the littleinformation available aboutConscript, it’s safe to say that it’s taking a refreshing approach to traditional horror game concepts. Like other recent horror indies likeSignalisandCrow Country,Conscriptleverages PS1-era graphics to achieve an aesthetic that is at once unsettling and strikingly nostalgic. Beyond visuals, design choices like a fixed-camera perspective, intentionally clunky combat, and limited storage space are important building blocks of the game, and highly reminiscent of old-school titles likeResident EvilandSilent Hill.
Conscript Isn’t Just Another Resident Evil Clone
Perhaps the most important part ofConscriptis its setting. The game takes place during WW1’s Battle of Verdun and is seemingly bereft of the horror genre’s consistent focus on science-fiction and the supernatural. Unlike an at-timesover-the-top series likeResident Evil,Conscriptleans into brutal realism, evoking horror from the very real conflict of warfare rather than demonic entities or the spawn of mad scientists.
Players will assume the role of a young French soldier seeking out his brother on the battlefield. Their enemies: fellow soldiers, young men thrust into the crush of war—not inhuman monsters. It’s clear thatConscript’s protagonist won’t be like other horror game heroes, standing tall against the bitter influence of evil. Rather, this character will just be trying to survive and save his loved one in a terrifying and unfair situation.
Conscript Is Doing New Things with Historical Action, Not Just Horror
For better or worse, franchises likeBattlefieldandCall of Dutyaren’t overly concerned with critiquing war. Even if games likeBattlefield VandCall of Duty: World War 2make attempts to humanize those fighting in war, shining a light on their struggles, the battles they find themselves embroiled in are ultimately seen as good, honorable, and heroic. War in these games is about overcoming personal hardship, standing up for what’s right, and realizing one’s potential as an honorable, upstanding citizen; these stories aren’t about how war is inherently horrifying and traumatic.
It’s not clear how explicitConscriptwill be with its commentary on warfare, but its genre already suggests that it will be offering a different take on the subject. Unlike typical shooters,survival horror is all about feeling powerless.
Of course, this doesn’t preclude a sense of enjoyment, but the high-octane action of a series likeBattlefieldinforms a decidedly different take on war: it suggests that war is, in a way, fun and frivolous; getting shot at is no big deal in these games, and the death of both friendly and enemy characters is a given, not something that’s meant to be pondered or analyzed. But ifConscriptuses war as a way to evoke feelings of terror and discomfort, then it may offer a more nuanced take. It could be lessSaving Private Ryanand moreCome and See, moreSpec Ops: The LinethanCall of Duty.
There is currently a demo available forConscripton Steam and GOG, with a release date planned for 2024.
Resident Evil
Resident Evil is a long-running survival horror franchise developed by Capcom. Spread across numerous mainline and spin-off entries, the series is known for it’s third and first-person action horror, zombie-related monsters and references, and challenging puzzles.
