The survival-horror genre was born about 30 years ago, when people were scared of long shadows in Resident Evil’s mansion, or of Silent Hill’s medical gauzy fog — but we’ve since moved on to more insidious enemies. There are data breaches from Meta, AI-generated restaurant menus that make burritos look like they’ve been shot with a gun, and other evidence that technology is constantly distorting and desecrating our lives. Upcoming Silent Hill-ish horror game Signal Veil understands the weight of that, so its protagonist uses a little flip phone as her weapon.
Aki, who could pass as another vapid anime schoolgirl if it weren’t for the sleepy bruises under her eyes, looks terrified to be alone in a new trailer revealed during Insider Gaming’s 28 Games Later Horror Showcase. But, even when she’s being pursued by a fleshy monstrosity, she isn’t really by herself — she has her mom’s dainty, vintage cell phone, which players can use to physically attack enemies in a unique combat system.
