Rob reviews DreadOut 2 on Nintendo Switch…
I’m a fan of horror titles, and anything from fighting ghostly apparitions, to hiding from a seemingly unstoppable monsters are a big hit in my book. Horror games are done well when they make the player unsettled, but give them enough rope to come back for more. A good example of this is Alien Isolation - which I think is a title that’s still not been beat in terms of making you feel truly trapped in a nightmare. The same can also be said for the 2001 PlayStation 2 title Project Zero (Fatal Frame if you’re not in Europe or Australia). Project Zero cast you as Miku Hinasaki who only armed with a camera had to battle supernatural forces whilst attempting to save her brother. The dark corridors were unsettling enough - and that’s before you used the camera to realise you weren’t alone.
DreadOut 2 is very much like these two horror heavyweights. And it’s a title that I’m glad to have experienced. Even if it’s on the Nintendo Switch.
Sadly, I’ve not experienced the original DreadOut and as such a lot of my understanding came from a frantic internet search and a few YouTube videos (thank you SHN Survival Horror Network!). Anyway, DreadOut 2 takes place in the months after its predecessors conclusion. Once again we step into the shoes of Linda Meillinda as she copes with the survivors guilt that comes with watching her class mates dying in front of her. She’s become a social outcast and a recluse as she attempts to cope with the past events, while her fellow students blame her for the massacre. It’s during this time that Linda discovers that she’s also been cursed by some vengeful otherworldly creatures and her past is quite rapidly becoming reality once again.
Straight from the get-go DreadOut 2 ramps the tension. The sense of unease is palpable as Linda starts to notice things aren’t quite right in her classroom. The musical score becomes haunting and some unseen force decides to write some pretty threatening words on the class whiteboard. Armed with only her smartphone, Linda is forced to journey thought the darkened corridors to face whatever lurks in the darkness.
For those who’ve previously played Project Zero will already know where DreadOut 2 is going with its smart phone accessory. The electronic device is your only friend and in a bizarre twist, it’s the only thing that the supernatural ghoulies fear. By utilising the smartphone’s camera you’ll be able to banish the lesser foes with quick shots, while using a slower charged shot to take out larger foes. There’s not a lot of visual representation as to where these foes lie in wait, so you’ll have to rely on your wits and quick use of the smartphone too. Another cool aspect to this is that you can also use the phones built in torch as well…a torch. While it’s probably not a big deal for some, it’s a great representation to show that not everyone carries a flashlight with them…well technically!
While utilising your camera is a novel way of fighting, there’s plenty of traditional combat thrown in too. Along the way Linda will encounter enemies that’ll need a good beat down to vanquish. There’s not a lot of weapons scattered around, and more often than not it’s best to stun them with a quick camera flash to then make a run for it. This scarcity of weapons does then mean that finding one is a quick relief to the horror that’s following you. Quite often you’ll be on the back foot, but once you’re able to fight back - for however brief - the fear aspect somewhat subsides.
DreadOut 2 works well in that it never allows you to get comfortable. Each act takes you through a myriad of locations with each ramping up the horror over the last. With plenty of variation your never quite sure on what to expect which gives the developers at Digital Happiness plenty of scope to throw plenty of blood soaked curve balls our way. One of these curveballs (and one I didn’t expect) is how Linda’s local town is mixed into the horror. At certain points the horror goes out of the window as you’re able to explore Linda’s town in an almost casual style. There’s no nasties waiting to end your day, and you can simply explore the area and speak to the many quirky inhabitants. It’s a massive move away from the relentless terror, and offers a welcome reprieve. If anything, I felt myself wanting to come back to this area more often to explore further.
Being inspired by Indonesian folklore, the games many enemies taken on a hideous weirdness with plenty of flailing appendages and gaunt looks. A nice addition is an included bestiary which gives some history behind the creatures you fight. Imagine some kind of Ghostbusters Pokédex and you’re on the right path.
Where I’ve enjoyed the most of what DreadOut 2 has to offer, this isn’t to say that the games perfect. Quite often textures don’t seem right, and there’s a certain amount of jankiness that plays into the fact that the game is an indie title made with a small budget. Considering that I am reviewing this title on the Nintendo Switch, the hybrid console handles it well. Naturally there is a visual downgrade, but the game looks just as good in docked mode than it does playing handheld.
Overall and Digital Happiness needs to be commended with what they’ve achieved with DreadOut 2. The developer has crafted a surprise title that captures the horror aspect extremely well, and isn’t afraid in its attempt to breathe new life into the tried and tested genre. The gameplay mechanics that surround the smartphone gives you first hand experience on the horror that stalks the protagonist, and allows for a up close and personal look at those hideous monsters in their attempt at making you suffer. As horror tiles go, DreadOut 2 is worthy to be in anyone’s game library, and is one title I’d highly recommend to anyone who’s got even a slight interest in the genre!
Rating: 8/10
A code was kindly provided for this review.
DreadOut 2 is available now and can be purchased via the Nintendo Switch store.
Rob Lake - For more comic book and video game chat why not follow us on X/Facebook @GeekCultureRev, TikTok/YouTube @Geekculturereviews, and BlueSky @geekculturereviews.bsky.social
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