There have been a lot of great indie games to have launched on Steam this year, but one upcoming RPG might be the perfect fit for a lot of horror lovers out there. And we’re talking real horror. Games like Lethal Company and R.E.P.O. have gained viral success on Steam due to their fun and scare-filled co-op gameplay, but for those who want real scares, The Pines is a psychological horror RPG focused on real fear.
Promising an open world with plenty of game-changing consequences, The Pines is an ambitious detective story that embraces player freedom. Just from the game’s trailer alone, The Pines feels like a wonderful blend of Alan Wake 2, Twin Peaks, The X Files, and some classic slasher vibes, so gamers who are fond of weird and trippy horror will want to keep this game on their radar. While psychological horror games can be difficult to nail, The Pines‘ stalker system might be the true key to its scares.
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The Pines Boasts an Ambitious Stalker System That Promises to Make Every Moment Sweat-Inducing
Horror fans who have been craving an experience that will have you constantly looking over your shoulder or gamers who have been hoping for the return of the Nemesis System from Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor might find something special in The Pines. To understand The Pines‘ stalker system, players first have to understand the game’s basic premise. The story follows Edward Walker, a former detective who is struggling after a case he was working on went cold. His therapist suggests going to a remote retreat called The Pines, but the retreat is not nearly as pleasant as it seems on the surface. There is something much darker lying beneath, and Edward uses his experience as a seasoned detective to try and get down to the bottom of The Pines’ mystery.
Guess the games from the emojis.
Guess the games from the emojis.
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Be Careful of Who You Investigate
This is where the stalker system comes into play. Along the way, Edward is going to run into a variety of different characters who inhabit The Pines and the surrounding area. From seemingly friendly old ladies to a conspiracy theorist who wears a literal tinfoil hat, Edward’s investigation makes him cross paths with plenty of unique characters. A player’s interactions can have major consequences, though. If Edward investigates too far into someone’s background or says the wrong thing to a Pines resident, they’ll come after him. Overall, The Pines and its strange inhabitants feel heavily inspired by Remedy Entertainment’s small town and character work like in Alan Wake 2.
The hunter becomes the hunted, and that’s what makes The Pines seem so promising. The stalker system is bound to make every encounter feel more tense than it usually would. No one can be trusted, and it will require players to be methodical in how they press Pines residents for information.
The Pines is Being Made By a Single Dev
This is another detail that makes The Pines so compelling. There are often solo-made indie games that quickly show that there isn’t a team behind their development. The Pines is a different story, though. It still feels like an indie project, but it looks incredibly well done. The graphics are solid, the combat looks promising, and the story is highly intriguing. The developer behind The Pines is Studio Abattoir, and they are currently based in the Netherlands.
If the stalker system really is as good as it sounds, then that will be really impressive for a solo dev to pull off. It’s not impossible by any means, but a system that complex definitely takes a lot of time and effort. Steam has been a fantastic platform for indie devs, but standing out from the rest of the crowd is far easier said than done. The Pines bringing a Twin Peaks and Alan Wake 2-style detective story to life with an in-depth stalker system attached might just do the trick, though.
Other Features Confirmed for The Pines
- Dense and detailed open world that can be explored
- Hidden secrets and clues to help Edward solve the mystery
- Detailed skill and perk system
- Connect stories through investigating
- Combat with multiple weapon options
- Side stories and rumors that reveal more about The Pines
- Choice-based gameplay that matters
There are a lot of choice-based RPGs out there, but The Pines‘ stalker system sounds like it could take this to a new level. Edward Walker has to make sure that every decision leads him in the right direction, and that’s not always easy. Sometimes, the right choice could have truly drastic outcomes. That anxiety will no doubt contribute to The Pines‘ horror experience.
The Pines’ Release Date is Just as Mysterious as Its Residents
All that is known at the moment is that The Pines is listed as “coming soon.” The wait hopefully isn’t too long, but the fact that it’s made by a solo dev could mean it may be a little while before it’s ready to launch. Until then, those who are interested in the game’s story and ambitious stalker system can wishlist The Pines on Steam.
