Psychological Horror ‘Rise of Insanity’ Comes to PS4 with PSVR Support, Trailer Here

Rise of Insanity (2018) is a first-person psychological horror game that first came to PC and SteamVR-compatible headsets via Early Access back in summer 2017. Now, Poland-based Red Limb Studio has released its horror game on PS4, which includes support for PSVR.

Set in America in the ’70s, you step into the shoes of renowned psychologist Dr. Stephen Dowell; he’s dealing with a mysterious patient showing “contradictory symptoms” of some serious mental disorders. You’re tasked with uncovering the truth of what happened to your wife and child, and figuring out how the new patient is involved.

The studio says they took inspiration from movies such as The Shining, The Exorcist and Silent Hill.

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Like the PC VR version, the game doesn’t support tracked motion controllers, supporting only the DualShock 4 gamepad. The entire game is playable in VR, however Red Limb says in the store description that Rise of Insanity is “moderately intense in VR and may make some players uncomfortable.”

Although it’s not entirely clear why that’s the case, the studio notes on the game’s Steam FAQ that the PC VR version uses free locomotion (not teleportation), which can cause discomfort in some users.

Rise of Insanity is available starting today on the PlayStation Store for $13/€15/£12.

The post Psychological Horror ‘Rise of Insanity’ Comes to PS4 with PSVR Support, Trailer Here appeared first on Road to VR.

Warped Horror Rise of Insanity Coming to PlayStation VR This Week

PlayStation VR may already have some awesome horror titles such as Resident Evil VII Biohazard or The Exorcist: Legion VR but there’s always room for more. This week will see the launch of psychological horror Rise of Insanity for PlayStation 4 with additional virtual reality (VR) support for the headset.

Rise of Insanity screenshot3

Created by Polish developer Red Limb Studio the videogame has been inspired by some of the greatest horror movies, including The ShiningThe Exorcist and Silent Hill. Set in 1970’s America, revolves around Stephen Dowell a doctor of psychology. He is investigating the tragedy that has befallen his family by exploring the darkest recesses of the human mind, testing experimental treatment methods on a difficult patient. As such Rise of Insanity has some rather strange and surreal scenarios.

Originally released for PC in 2018 with support for HTC Vive and Oculus Rift, players have to explore the ever twisting landscape in Rise of Insanity, discovering dark secrets and solving logical puzzles along the way.

VRFocus reviewed the PC VR version giving it a reputable three-stars, saying: “Rise of Insanity is still a solidly put together experience. The storyline, sound effects and voice acting are all of a decent quality, but the English translation on some of the in-game literature needs some work. Difficulty is virtually none existent so it’s a breeze to play through in around two hours. If you’re looking for a short, digestible horror then Rise of Insanity is a sound bet, just watch out for those rubber ducks.”

Red Limb Studio hasn’t given any indication that the PlayStation version of Rise of Insanity has been altered or updated from the original release, so it looks like a straight console port.

This is the second VR title from the studio with the first being The Purge Daya basic wave shooter with horror elements for Samsung Gear VR, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and Google Cardboard.

Rise of Insanity is scheduled for release on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation VR on Friday, 12th July. VRFocus will continue its coverage of Red Limb Studio and Rise of Insanity, reporting back with further announcements and updates.

Review: Rise of Insanity

Love it or hate it, the horror genre has found a natural home on virtual reality (VR) headsets. No other entertainment technology has the ability to put you right in there with the screams and terrifying shadows. Yet horror has its nuances just like all the rest, whether that’s psychological, jump scares, gore, or just plain terror. Indie developer Red Limb Studio first tried its hand at virtual reality (VR) development with horror shooter The Purge Day, a basic scary wave shooter in 2016. The team decided to up the ante with its next project Rise of Insanity, creating a twisted psychological horror that’s definitely not for the faint hearted.

Rise of Insanity screenshot1

Rise of Insanity is your classic story driven adventure into madness, so it’s linear, very linear. If you like videogames that give you lots of freedom to figure things out for yourself, rather than being almost handheld then this isn’t the title for you. Rise of Insanity will suit those that do like a good horror style story and don’t mind the fact that exploration is kept to a minimum.

What’s notable to begin with is that Rise of Insanity isn’t a pure VR experience, VR support has been added, so it’s purely seated – there’s no crumpling to the floor when something scares you. Because of this it’ll say its best played with a gamepad or keyboard mouse. While the first is fine (if you have a gamepad) the second is definitely out of the question. Thankfully you don’t have to use either, as you’ll find in the settings menu motion controller options.

What this does mean however is that Rise of Insanity only includes smooth locomotion (there’s no teleport), with an option to switch on snap rotation if you need it. While it was perfectly comfortable with the standard settings some players may find just having smooth movement a little too nauseating, especially when things start turning dark.

Rise of Insanity screenshot2

Rise of Insanity is set in a big old house with you playing as Stephen Dowell a doctor of psychology. In terms of gameplay it’s all about looking for items/clues that can help unravel the mystery of a family tragedy, with a few puzzles on route that really aren’t that difficult – find a key to unlock a door, or look for a code to a padlock. Due to the linearity of the experience there’s not a lot of items to actually interact with, and they’re all easy to spot as a hand indicator appears when you’re nearby.

What Rise of Insanity is good at is atmosphere. You spend the majority of the time alone so hearing the rain and wind rattle the windows, or the TV hissing away are classic techniques that work well. Bear in mind that Rise of Insanity has its fair amount of jump scares, some of which are obvious, others less so. They’re the type that do put people off playing these types of horror experiences but they do work great at getting the heart pumping.

Looking great in some scenes and rather basic in others, Rise of Insanity is still a solidly put together experience. The storyline, sound effects and voice acting are all of a decent quality, but the English translation on some of the in-game literature needs some work. Difficulty is virtually none existent so it’s a breeze to play through in around two hours. If you’re looking for a short, digestible horror then Rise of Insanity is a sound bet, just watch out for those rubber ducks.

60%

Awesome

  • Verdict

Psychological Horror Rise of Insanity Set to Leave Early Access

Indie virtual reality (VR) developer Red Limb Studio launched its first title The Purge Day back in 2016 for HTC Vive and Oculus Rift. Then in 2017 the studio brought its second VR title to Steam Early Access, psychological horror Rise of Insanity. Today, the team have announced that it’ll see a full release later this week.

Rise of Insanity screenshot1

In Rise of Insanity, you take on the role of Stephen Dowell a doctor of psychology who aims to explore the darkest recesses of the human mind to uncover the truth behind a family tragedy. Inspired by classic psychological horror films such as The ShiningThe Exorcist and Silent Hill, Rise of Insanity is set in 1970’s America with Dowell testing experimental treatment methods on a difficult patient who shows distinct yet contradictory symptoms of different mental disorders.

Looking like a far more polished experience than The Purge Day, the Early Access version has been fully playable since day one, with the developer using the time to polish the experience. The final version has been expanded to offer more gameplay, including many new locations and a full ending that wraps up the story of Dr. Dowell.

Rise of Insanity screenshot2

With puzzles to solve and secrets to uncover, Rise of Insanity will leave Early Access on Thursday, 1st March, 2018, for HTC Vive, Oculus Rift and Samsung Gear VR. Currently listed on Steam for £7.19 GBP, Red Lamb Studio has previously said: “We have in plans the gradual increase in the price while adding new content.” At present there’s been no mention of another price increase but that may change on launch day.

With so many horror titles launched towards the end of last year – mostly due to Halloween – there’s been a significant drop in scary videogames. For fans of the genre hopefully more will appear in the coming months. As they do VRFocus will let you know.

Something for the Weekend: Steam’s Halloween Havoc

You may have noticed something of a theme these last few days on VRFocus. But such is inevitable when there’s a holiday such as Halloween going on, and so it’s only natural that this week on Something for the Weekend we highlight just a few of the videogames currently on offer in the Steam Halloween sale. Which does have more than a few virtual reality (VR) experiences up for grabs a reduced price.

Before we begin it should be noted that a lot of the titles in the sale, which incidentally does have its own VR section on the Steam store page, are also a part of Halloween sales elsewhere. In particular the Oculus Store sale. For information on that check out our post detailing all the titles involved in the sale for both the Oculus Rift and the Samsung Gear VR.

Steam descriptions and links to all the games can be found below. Please note: All Halloween sales end on 1st November 2017.

Compatibility: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, OSVR

“The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a first-person story-driven mystery focused on exploration and discovery. Occult-minded private detective Paul Prospero communicates with the dead to discover the fate of a missing boy and the mystery behind a dark ancient force inhabiting Red Creek Valley.”

Available as a bundle comprising the game and VR mode, the title is available for £4.38 (GBP) at a discount of 80% off.

A Chair in a Room : Greenwater

Compatibility: HTC Vive and Oculus Rift

A Chair in a Room: Greenwater is a tense virtual reality horror game set in America’s Deep South. Drawing on elements of Southern Gothic and using settings of derelict towns, run-down motels and murky, decaying swamps, A Chair in a Room will take you through an investigation of institutional corruption, religious immorality and murder, which can only be unlocked by searching deep within your own psyche.”

Available at 50% off, for a price of £9.49 (GBP).

Blue Effect VR

Compatibility: HTC Vive and Oculus Rift

“Welcome on Planet Exo-277. A place where your abilities will be tested. This world belongs to the alien race that doesn’t know what defeat means. You will be facing enemies that are ruthless, cruel and mainly terrifying. Survive and become the famous warrior in the universe!”

Also currently available at half price, Blue Effect VR is on sale now for a price of £5.49 (GBP).

Organ Quarter

Compatibility: HTC Vive and Oculus Rift

Organ Quarter is a VR survival horror game focused on what made survival horror great: labyrinthine environments, resource management and well-balanced puzzling. An homage to the slow, methodical survival horror experiences of the ’90s, explore the compelling nightmare world of the Organ Quarter and enjoy the most intimate horror experience yet.”

Having just received a patch taking it to version 1.03, Organ Quarter is on sale now at 20% off, for a price of £15.19 (GBP).

HORROR OF THE DEEP

Compatibility: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift and OSVR

“Fallen into a giant old dungeon, unclear for any destiny, you have to descent deeper and deeper to a place, where even all cries will be silenced.”

This title is in Early Access and requires the use of a gamepad, or keyboard and mouse even in VR mode. HORROR OF THE DEEP is currently on sale for £3.91 (GBP), giving you a 30% discount.

Bogeyman 1 + 2 Double Pack

Compatibility: Oculus Rift

“Live your childhood nightmare and try to survive against the Boogeyman. Equipped with only your flashlight, survive each night until the morning light. Search the house for useful items such as glow sticks, cherry bombs, and coffee to help you fight back. The weather will change each night, lights will break, toys will come alive, things will go bump in the night. Learn the hiding places, and sounds of the Boogeyman to stay ahead.”

The first game is also available on the Oculus Store seperately. The bundle of 1 and 2 together has an 89% discount at present and you can buy both titles for £1.12 (GBP).

Spooky’s Jump Scare Mansion: HD Renovation

Compatibility: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift and OSVR

“Spooky and her mansion of creepy cuties are back in Spooky’s Jump Scare Mansion: HD Renovation! Can you survive 1000 rooms of adorable terror? Or will you break once the cute facade dissolves, and you find yourself running for your life from the unspeakable, hideous creatures that dwell and write in the bowels of this house? They wait for you. They wait, and they hunger for your encounter…”

The recent recipent of an update adding endless mode, Steam achievements and an additional ending, Spooky’s Jump Scare Mansion: HD Renovation is available on Steam for £4.68 (GBP) for a discount of 33% off.

Rise of Insanity

Compatibility: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift and OSVR

“Impersonate into the role of the doctor of psychology and get into psychedelic detective story, located in American ’70s, with professional dialogues and realistic graphics. Dark atmosphere of uncertainty is surrounding the player, who by explorating of many locations, meet logical puzzles, and events like…flying through deepest parts of human’s consciousness.”

Another title currently in Early Access, the horror title by Red Limb Studio is presently on sale at £4.49 (GBP) – a 10% discount on the usual price.

Emily Wants To Play

Compatibility: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift and OSVR

“It’s 11pm, and you are at the last house on your route. The lights are on, and the front door is opened. But, the windows are all boarded up and the grass is overgrown. It seems like a strange place to deliver a pizza, but at least, it looks like someone is home…”

Emily Wants To Play is currently available at a 60% discount fot a sale price of £1.59 (GBP).