Publisher Plug In Digital has released a trailer for the upcoming horror game,Lempo. The video is just under two minutes long, but does well to show the creepy atmosphere, similar to the newgameplay clip ofAmnesia: The Bunker.Lempo’s game world differs by being based on Finnish mythology.
While relatively unknown compared to its Norse counterpart, this is not the first time that games have been inspired by Finnish mythology. A prime example being theRune Bears inElden Ringtaking inspiration from the Finnish mythological perception of bears. So revered were they that even the word for bear was considered too sacred to say. Even thoughElden Ring’s Rune Bears were quite a challenge to fight, it’s doubtful that bears will be the main threat inLempo.
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The trailer shows a distant and deformed figure move erratically before the screen starts to warp, revealing the title card with the prompt to wishlist on Steam, GOG, and Epic Games. The video then shows a mass of writhing flesh in a church, with a voice claiming that their church is “a safe place for all,” followed by a reveal of several figures with glowing eyes watching the player character from behind. The voice making announcements seemingly over a radio gives the off-screen character atone similar toBioshock’s Andrew Ryan, while the exploration-based gameplay seems similar to titles likeSomaandAmnesia.
The bulk of the trailer shows the player exploring several dark and creepy locations with only a lighter or lamp in hand. At one point, there is the text “obelisk activated, you feel refreshed,” implying that the player may have to find safe spots or activate these as checkpoints to progress. Some comments on the video bemoan the apparent lack of combat, while others praise the focus on atmosphere with the emphasis on scares rather than combat. With a variety ofhorror games releasing in 2023, it’s safe to say that horror fans will be able to find a game that suits their play style. While the release date is yet to be announced, forLempo, it seems that the style is delving into the unknown.
Lempo in Finnish mythology is a complicated character. Recognized as the god of love and fertility, Lempo is also considered a fiend with an erratic nature. As the embodiment of love, Lempo is said to be able to take control of a body and lead them to destruction. Lempo also defeated Vainamoinen, the central hero of Finnish mythology, and because of these actions, Lempo is even considered a curse word in Finnish. Though, game devs have been known to make changes to suit narratives, such as thechanges to Freya inGod of War Ragnarok, so it is possible that players will see a different imagining of Lempo.
