Summary
British developer Variable State shared some new gameplay footage fromDeepest Fear, its upcoming sci-fi horror game that promises to deliver a mix of various genre mechanics. This sneak peek atDeepest Fear’s gameplay arrives only a week following thePCgame’s original announcement.
Founded in 2014, Variable State currently has two games to its name: first-person thrillerVirginiaand third-person adventureLast Stop, released in 2016 and 2021, respectively. After making those two narrative-driven adventures, the company tackled a sci-fi co-op shooter calledPolaris, which is still without a release date. In the meantime, Variable State has recently announced its fourth project in the form of theretro-futuristic horror gameDeepest Fear, unveiled during the 2024 edition of the PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted.
A week following the game’s December 5 announcement, Variable State shared the first glimpse of raw, uninterrupted gameplay footage fromDeepest Fear. The seven-minute video shows some exploration, a few examples of inventory management, a bit of puzzle-solving, and a whole lot of running. The running part starts whenDeepest Fear’s water monstersshow up in droves, forcing the protagonist—Dr. Danni Carrol—to navigate the claustrophobic corridors of the underwater research facility she’s trapped in with increased urgency while selectively engaging in combat. The promo concludes with brief sneak peeks at several cutscenes, offering tantalizing hints about the game’s story.
Deepest Fear Draws Inspiration From Retro-Future Cinema Cult Classics
Theretro-futuristic settingofDeepest Fearwas broadly inspired by the works of John Carpenter, Paul Verhoven, David Cronenberg, and James Cameron. Variable State specifically cites Cronenberg’sThe Fly, Cameron’sThe Abyss, Carpenter’sThe Thing, and Verhoeven’sTotal Recallas some of the direct influences on the upcoming game. The studio also revealed thatDeepest Feardraws from other works of these acclaimed directors as well.
LikePolaris,Deepest Fearis another upcoming Variable State title that’s still waiting for a concrete release date. The game has so far only been confirmed for PC, though that’s not to say it won’t eventually make its way to more platforms. Variable State’s first two games launched on both PlayStation and Xbox consoles as well as PC, withLast Stopeven landing on the Nintendo Switch.
Overall,Deepest Fearlooks like it has the potential to deliver a memorablesci-fi experience with retro-futuristic themes. Between that and its blend of immersive sim, metroidvania, and survival horror elements, the game could potentially appeal to fans of everything fromSystem ShockandBioShocktoPreyandSOMA.
