Hideo Kojima has revealed that he is working on a new Xbox game that will make use of Microsoft’s cloud technology. While the idea sounds intriguing, not much else has been revealed by Kojima, and the upcoming game has yet to even receive an official title. According to journalist Tom Henderson,Kojima’s mysterious project is calledOverdose, and it is a horror game that players will be able to control using their phones.
If Henderson’s leak is to be believed, the game will feature Margaret Qualley, which is interesting since she also appeared inDeath Stranding. AlthoughDeath Strandingis not a horror game, there is plenty that Kojima could learn from it when craftingOverdose. It would be wise for the game to avoid repetitive scenes, as they quickly lose their ability to scare. Furthermore,Overdoseshould make effective use of silence to enhance its terror, asDeath Strandingillustrated how silence can be used to evoke powerful emotions.
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Repetition Kills Fear
DuringDeath Stranding,players will spend most of their time trekking across austere yet picturesque landscapes. However, the game does have its fair share of hair-raising moments, and most of them occur during encounters with theBeached Things, better known as BTs. Players will know they are nearby when a brief cutscene plays followed by an ominous soundtrack. After this, Sam’s Odradek scanner will start blinking in the direction of the BTs which can only be seen when Sam holds his breath. BTs are mysterious creatures that are also very dangerous. Sam has to keep his noise levels down and stealth his way around the BTs lest he awaken the Catcher BTs, which are large and require plenty of ammo to defeat.
BTs are terrifying at first, as they are undead beings that attempt to dragSam Bridgesinto a dark sludge. However, as players sink dozens of hours into the game, the BTs lose their impact, and they become an annoyance more than a scary threat. Encounters with them are repetitive, and when gamers always know what to expect, dealing with BTs becomes a chore rather than a chilling experience. Consequently, most ofDeath Stranding’s scary elements are neutralized within the first few hours of the game.
If Kojima intends to makeOverdoseterrifying from start to finish, his studio will have to find a way to avoid repetition. Players should never know what to expect, and enemies should never become a routine task. This could be done by ensuring there is a suitable variety of enemies spread throughout the game, or by ensuring that the game’s scares come from aspects other than the enemies alone. A varied soundtrack will also be necessary, as even the most toe-curling violins will lose their impact if players hear them too many times.
Silence Is Powerful
AlthoughDeath Strandingis noted for its atmospheric soundtrack, which features musical acts like Low Roar and Diplo, there are limited places where players can enjoy this music. For most of the game, as players make their deliveries, they travel in silence. The lack of a soundtrack to accompany Sam’s hikes provides a strong sense of isolation, which is a central theme of the game. The pressingsilence inDeath Strandingmakes players all the more grateful to finally arrive at their destination and make a connection with someone, and when music is played at key moments, it is all the more impactful.
Overdoseshould also cleverly utilize silence, and there are many opportunities for Kojima to do this within the horror genre. Of course, the game will need an appropriate soundtrack to raise goosebumps and set the atmosphere. However, the eeriness and isolation of silence can also be utilized to raise suspense, especially ifOverdosecan nail the feeling of things being too quiet.
Microsoft’s cloud technology opens up many doors for Kojima, and it remains to be seen how it will be implemented.AsP.T.demonstrated, the horror genre is one that Kojima would not struggle with, with bodes well forOverdose, if Henderson’s report is true. After the experience Kojima Productions gained from makingDeath Stranding, it is in the best position to make the most out of its upcoming project with Microsoft.
Death Strandingis available on PC, PS4, and PS5.
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