Summary
- Release Year: 2014
- Genres: Adventure, Indie, Puzzle
- Platforms: Linux, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- Developers: Krillbite Studio
- Publishers: Krillbite Studio
Among the Sleep: A Child’s-Eye View of Horror
In the realm of video games, horror is often synonymous with jump scares, gore, and violence. But what if horror could be evoked through a more subtle and unsettling approach? Among the Sleep, a first-person horror adventure game released in 2014, takes a unique and refreshing approach to the genre by placing the player in the vulnerable shoes of a two-year-old child.
A Child’s Perspective
Among the Sleep is a game that can only be truly understood through the eyes of a child. The player character, a toddler named Simon, wakes up in the middle of the night to mysterious sounds. As he ventures out of his crib to investigate, he finds himself in a world that is both familiar and utterly strange.
The game’s environments are rendered with a child’s-eye perspective, which means that everything is larger than life. Objects that would be mundane to an adult, such as a teddy bear or a rocking horse, become towering and potentially threatening. The game’s sound design is also masterful, using a combination of ambient noise and eerie whispers to create a sense of constant unease.
Exploration and Atmosphere
Among the Sleep is not a game about combat or puzzles. Instead, it focuses on exploration and atmosphere. As Simon, the player must navigate through a series of increasingly unsettling environments, including his own home, a dark forest, and a mysterious underwater world. Along the way, he will encounter a cast of strange and frightening creatures, including a shadowy monster that stalks him throughout the game.
The game’s atmosphere is one of its strongest assets. The developers have created a world that is both beautiful and terrifying, and they have a knack for creating moments that are both unsettling and deeply moving. For example, in one scene, Simon finds himself lost in a dark forest. As he wanders through the trees, he hears the sound of his mother’s voice calling his name. But as he follows the sound, he realizes that it is leading him deeper into danger.
Childhood Fears
One of the things that makes Among the Sleep so effective is that it taps into the primal fears of childhood. As a child, the world can be a big and scary place. Even the most ordinary objects can take on a sinister appearance in the dark. Among the Sleep captures this feeling perfectly, creating a world that is both wondrous and terrifying.
The game also explores the themes of loss and abandonment. Simon’s mother is nowhere to be found, and he is left to fend for himself in a world that is increasingly hostile. As the player progresses through the game, they will come to understand the depth of Simon’s loneliness and fear.
A Unique and Unforgettable Experience
Among the Sleep is a unique and unforgettable experience. It is a game that is both terrifying and moving, and it will stay with you long after you finish playing. If you are looking for a horror game that is truly different from anything else you have played before, then I highly recommend checking out Among the Sleep.
Review Score
8/10
Pros
- Unique and unsettling child’s-eye perspective
- Masterful atmosphere and sound design
- Explores the primal fears of childhood
- Moving and thought-provoking story
Cons
- Can be frustrating at times
- Some of the puzzles are too obtuse
- The ending is somewhat anticlimactic
Review Score
8/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
