I would like my Slaw

Video leases are a kind of issues that I totally settle for is antiquated by fashionable know-how, one thing that I completely wouldn’t be involved in a return of, however I nonetheless can’t assist however miss. It’s onerous to clarify, and I’m not completely certain I’ve a full deal with on it.

The video retailer aesthetic was sufficient to get me involved in Rewind or Die. The “Evening Shift” prologue was one of many highlights of 2022’s Keep Out of the Home, so I hoped for one thing comparable. What we bought was one thing totally different, however totally different might be good too.

Rewind or Die (PC)
Developer: Comp-3 Interactive
Writer: Torture Star Video
Launch: April 14, 2023
MSRP: TBA

Rewind or Die begins with you getting known as in for a late shift at your crummy job. It then goes into element about how a lot your life sucks. Not solely do you must help insupportable prospects, however your boss is a dink. Amusingly, the sport’s strategy to displaying that is disturbingly sensible, because it exhibits an employer who steadily whittles away at employee dignity whereas demanding extra from them. One that’s fast to remind that everybody is replaceable whereas additionally griping that good assist is difficult to search out.

Because the workday goes on, issues begin getting weirder. It begins by letting you realize that latest murders have been centered across the video store and that the victims had been all prospects. Bizarre calls begin coming in, and issues escalate from there.

One factor results in one other, and you end up within the clutches of a sadistic serial killer who wears a pig’s head to hide their face. At the very least it’s higher than being cornered by a man who spouts film trivia.

‘Trigger that is thriller

Rewind or Die is just a little on the less-experimental finish of the lo-fi horror spectrum. Whereas many indie horror builders strive some creative methods to depart you stewing in that environment or make the killer look like an unstoppable menace, Rewind or Die is extra direct. You really spend little or no time in the identical setting with the killer, numerous gameplay is just finishing duties to proceed. Whereas a few of these puzzles are a minimum of cleverly designed, they could be a bit underwhelming.

It feels moderately mechanical, which generally works within the context of video video games, however I believe undermines the horror. You progress between remoted locations to resolve puzzles, and at occasions, it feels such as you’re compelled to comply with the dance steps.

The worst instance of that is throughout a portion of the sport the place it feels such as you’re imagined to be sneaking round. I shortly observed that the slasher (who’s named Slaw, and I like it) doesn’t really exist within the setting. So I simply fortunately puttered round and solved the puzzles to proceed. It wasn’t scary, it was extra… peaceable?

It is best to in all probability simply be sort

The upside to that is that Rewind or Die is a bit tighter and fewer janky than your typical indie horror. The draw back is that additionally means it’s a bit much less compelling. I’d go so far as saying it’s even a bit predictable with a lot of its beats. It’s really easy to learn, that I nearly knew what it anticipated of me earlier than it requested me to do it. There’s positively one thing to be stated in regards to the recreation’s focus. For those who’ve detested the sub-genre’s standard tough edges, then Rewind or Die may be a bit extra dependable for you.

I’m not saying Rewind or Die is strictly linear, both. It’s simply that compared to the extra immersive sim strategy of Keep Out of the Home or the dedication to the grounded environment of Bloodwash, it’s a special vector.

I positively recognize totally different approaches to the sub-genre. Certainly one of my favourite issues about exploring lo-fi indie horror is that, even when it doesn’t at all times work out, builders strive new issues on a regular basis. Nonetheless, Rewind or Die doesn’t really feel daring sufficient. It appears to subscribe too carefully to your typical horror recreation language and doesn’t pull that off too effectively. It’s not unhealthy. It simply isn’t thrilling.

Keep Cool

It’s not a vector I’m significantly smitten by. That may be right down to my very own expectations from the lo-fi horror sub-genre, however I additionally really feel that there isn’t a complete lot of persona that shines by means of Rewind or Die. The narrative doesn’t actually pitch any curveballs, the gameplay doesn’t twist issues into attention-grabbing pretzels, and there isn’t actually something really distinctive that I felt my tooth sink into.

That’s to not say I didn’t like Rewind or Die. It’s simply not going to land on any of my must-play lists. I’ll reiterate that there isn’t something offensively unhealthy about it. It’s not extraordinarily rough-edged like Christmas Bloodbath or as raunchy as Evening on the Gates of Hell. Nonetheless, each these video games introduced uniquely memorable moments, whereas Rewind or Die has a video rental store. Video rental outlets are terrific, however they’re simply not horrific sufficient to hold a whole recreation.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}