Carrion (video game)
Carrion () is a horror video game developed by Phobia Game Studio and published by Devolver Digital. Described as a "reverse-horror game", the game allows players to control a tentacled monster whose objective is to make its way through a facility, stalking and killing humans in its path. "Carrion" was released for Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One on July 23, 2020. A PlayStation 4 version of the game was released on October 22, 2021. Gameplay. Players control a red, amorphous, tentacled monster of unknown origin. The monster must make its way through a  facility, crawling through vents and killing scientists and soldiers. As the game progresses, players can obtain upgrades such as the ability to dash—which can be used to break through wooden barricades and access otherwise unreachable areas—and to grow in size. Plot. An amorphous entity known only as “The Monster” is held in a containment unit within a research facility owned by a company called Relith Science. The creature breaks out and progresses through the facility in order to find an exit. As the organism progresses through the facility, it fights and devours its way through the facility's  staff and security forces. Along the way, the creature discovers pieces of its genetic code removed by the scientists for study and containment, which allow it to evolve, allowing for greater size and more means of both defense and offense. The Creature also encounters material analyzers which, upon entering, trigger flashbacks revealing its origins. The Creature was originally found within an egg-like sack by three scientists, and upon awakening, proceeded to kill two and possess the third. However, Relith security forces arrived and executed the remaining scientist, forcing the creature out into the open and allowing Relith to capture  and contain it. Eventually, the creature returns to its initial containment area and absorbs the last piece of its stolen genetic code, allowing it to reconstitute a human form, which takes the appearance of the scientist it originally infected, before escaping the facility. Development. "Carrion" was developed by Phobia Game Studio, an indie game developer based in Warsaw, Poland. According to tweets by developer Sebastian Krośkiewicz, development on "Carrion" began at least as early as October 2017. Gameplay from "Carrion" was first shown publicly at the 2018 Game Developers Conference. An official reveal trailer for the game was uploaded to  YouTube by Devolver Digital on June 9, 2019. Devolver Digital promoted the game during their press conference at E3 2019. Music. The soundtrack by Cris Velasco was released by video game label Materia Collective on July 23, 2020. The official vinyl pressing, done in collaboration with Devolver Digital, featured an injection of red hygroscopic liquid to resemble blood splatters. Release. Phobia Game Studio released a demo version of the game on Steam in October 2019. The game was released on desktop platforms (Windows, Linux and MacOS), Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One on July 23, 2020. Prior to the announcement of  the July 23 release date, the game was reported to have a PlayStation 4 release planned, but no PlayStation 4 release date has been announced. In August 2021, a Playstation 4 version of the game was announced, with a release date of October 22, 2021. Reception. "Carrion" received generally favourable reviews on Nintendo Switch, PC and Xbox One according to the review aggregator Metacritic. It was nominated for Best Debut Game and Best Indie at The Game Awards 2020.