Pixel horror games have grown into a certain kind of popularity and it’s easy to see why. Popular titles such as Lone Survivor and Mad Father show how less is certainly more when it comes to horror, and more obscure titles such as Red Haze and IMSCARED present a perverse sense of creativity that manages to keep players on their toes during their (often short) run times. Joining this fairly new sub-genre is Cover Your Eyes, a pixel horror game about how secrets can tear a family apart, and how far you’re willing to go for your loved ones.
Here is the official summary from a StarSkipp games developer:
“Cover Your Eyes is a traumatic 2D top down survival horror experience, focusing upon family, and the sacrifices we make to keep them safe. With two children under your care, you will have to fight, think, and escape out of escalating circumstances as the town of Verwood undergoes an unprecedented metamorphosis.
Take on the role of Chloe, married mother of two working nine to five to support her family. One night, she finds out her husband has been having an affair with another woman. The shocking discovery is soon eclipsed by the town being struck by a supernatural catastrophe and her husband disappearing into the night. Looking for answers, Chloe takes her two children and heads out after him. The town has changed and monsters have come out to play.
Inspired by survival horror past and present, balancing both Resident Evil style action and the psychodrama of Silent Hill. The player will have to loot for valuable ammo, shoot or run from hostile encounters and use problem solving techniques to overcome puzzles. All while keeping your two children and sanity in check.”
Cover Your Eyes is being developed by StarSkipp games, and was heavily inspired by their own dysfunctional familial history. Like many classic survival horror games, StarSkipp is using the outward veneer of horror to explore some rather complex and intimately personal themes. The presentation looks rather unique as well, using a simple but effective visual style and superb sound design to immerse the player in the dangerous town of Verwood. Check it out in the trailer below.
Additionally, the game boasts 7 different weapon types, over 30 different enemy types, 15 unique locations to explore, as well as more than 40 optional buildings to loot from. The game boasts a soundtrack composed by Jacob Pearse and Austin Jorgensen, the latter of whom is the mastermind behind LISA: The Painful RPG. To say that StarrSkipp is developing something ambitious is underselling it. Despite its independent nature, it looks to be the real deal—a full-fledged survival horror game made by a fan of the genre for fans of the genre, with plenty of intense gameplay and an interesting story for players to sink their teeth into. Speaking as someone who regularly plays pixel horror games, this one has got me intrigued, and I’ll be keeping a close eye on that release date.
Cover Your Eyes is set to release on Steam and Itch.io on August 7th, 2020.
All Images courtesy of StarSkipp.