The horror genre of video games consistently finds new ways to innovate and push the boundaries of what scares players. Silent Breath, a first-person psychological horror title developed by solo outfit Exodiac Studios, brings the scares with an incredibly clever gameplay mechanic.
Powered by Unreal Engine 5 and plunging players into the middle of a forest with highly realistic found footage visuals, this upcoming game promises a unique brand of terror that hinges on a single, chilling mechanic – silence is your only weapon.
Stay Quiet To Stay Alive In Silent Breath
Inspired by the likes of Steelkrill Studios’ Rotten Flesh, Silent Breath throws players into a dark and unsettling atmosphere. Here, the power of sound takes center stage, with the game utilizing players’ microphone to create a dynamically frightening experience.
Unlike many horror titles that reward quick reflexes and strategic combat, Silent Breath forces players to confront their fears in a completely different way – by staying quiet.
The game’s premise is quite simple. You find yourself amidst the dense wilderness of a forest at night, tasked with locating missing people. However, the tranquility of the setting is shattered by the knowledge that the forest holds a sinister secret.
The more noise you make, the more you attract unwanted attention from all manner of unholy beings. Every rustle of leaves beneath your feet, every gasp of fear that escapes your lips, brings you closer to danger.
Unreal Engine 5 Makes For Deceptively Realistic Graphics
Adding further dread to the experience is the obscure presence of the “sisters of the forest.” These mysterious entities are rumored to stalk the woods under the cloak of darkness, and their motives are far from clear.
The game hints that they emerge at night to engage in a twisted game of their own, and unwilling participants face dire consequences. Should you succumb to fear and let out a scream, or be unfortunate enough to be caught by the forest’s hidden threats, Silent Breath restarts, but with a cruel twist.
The locations of the missing people you’ve already found shift, forcing you to retrace your steps in a constantly evolving environment. This randomization keeps players on their toes, as they will never be able to predict what horrors lay ahead of them in the next run.
Silent Breath is built on Unreal Engine 5, which is how it achieves its very realistic graphics. The found footage visual style further enhances the game’s unsettling atmosphere, drawing players deeper into the protagonist’s desperate struggle for survival, almost echoing the very first Blair Witch movie.
With its creative microphone mechanic and unnerving aesthetic, Silent Breath has the potential to become a must-play for horror aficionados seeking a fresh take on the genre. What’s most impressive about it, though, is that the game was made by one person alone. If you’re into found footage horror, do check out the game on Steam Early Access.
