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dkirschner's Lurking (PC)

[September 4, 2014 04:59:00 PM]

Since no one's ever heard of this, I'll be lazy and copy the dev blurb before writing myself:

"Lurking is a survival thriller game where sound is the only way you see, and they hear your fears.

The game spawned from the core concept of using a microphone input device in a meaningful way for gameplay. We built a system that upon calibration detects your breathing. This audio data is then converted into game visuals in the form of pulses, creating a secondary level of immersion. As such the use of a microphone headset is strongly recommended.

Lurking also features OculusVR(DK1) support which completes the immersive experience."

All of the above is true and it's a creepy little game. When you OR your character make noise (YOU by breathing, yelling, talking and your character by walking, running, throwing objects), sound waves emanate from their source (your source is the character) and basically draw the game's visuals. So if you don't make any noise, it's pitch black.

I sat here and played it alone in the dark, shouting "AAH!" into my mic to make noise so I could see. Honestly a new thing for me to do in a game, haha.

There are enemies, some escaped lab experiments from the story or something, that will quickly kill you if they touch you. You've got to be quiet to as not to attract their attention, but as mentioned, you can't SEE if you don't make noise. So there's a tense balancing act. You will die a lot, but if you can figure out what to do, where to go, and where enemies are, you will have some scary running-for-your life moments trying to beat the enemy to the door you need to get to.

I am impressed. This project is by some DigiPen Singapore students. A friend and colleague of mine is on DigiPen's little professorial judging team and he gets to go to their showcases once in a while. He recommended this to me as his favorite of the bunch this last time, and I pass on the recommendation. Takes half an hour to play through.