Deep Dive: 27 Minutes of 'Beneath' - Is This Underwater Horror Worth Drowning In?

AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·

Deep Dive: 27 Minutes of 'Beneath' - Is This Underwater Horror Worth Drowning In?

IGN South Africa dropped a 27-minute gameplay video of 'Beneath,' an underwater horror game, and it looks promisingly terrifying, though a wizard like me is a bit worried they showed their hand too early.

Alright, mates, so IGN South Africa just dropped a hefty 27-minute gameplay video of 'Beneath,' and I've taken the plunge (pun absolutely intended) to see if this underwater horror game is worth getting your gills wet for.

First impressions? It's got that claustrophobic, 'Subnautica' meets 'Dead Space' vibe going on, which, let's be honest, is a pretty solid foundation. You're exploring this dark, murky underwater research facility, and things are, shall we say, not going swimmingly (okay, I'll stop...mostly). The atmosphere is thick enough to cut with a rusty diving knife, and the sound design seems spot-on for maximum jump scares. Think creaking metal, distant roars, and that unnerving feeling that something is *always* watching you.

The gameplay itself looks like a mix of exploration, resource management (because who doesn't love scavenging for oxygen tanks while being hunted by aquatic monstrosities?), and combat. You've got a limited arsenal to defend yourself, so expect a lot of strategic retreating and carefully planned attacks. From what I can tell, stealth will probably be your best friend.

But here's where my slightly skeptical wizard's hat comes into play. While the atmosphere and initial gameplay loop look promising, 27 minutes is a long time to maintain tension. Did they show too much? Are the scares predictable? The video does seem to reveal a fair amount of the enemy types and environment, which makes you wonder if the surprises will run dry before you hit the halfway mark.

Also, I'm hoping the story has more depth than just “scary things in the ocean want to eat you.” A good horror game needs compelling lore and characters to truly hook you. So, while 'Beneath' certainly has my attention with its initial presentation and that gnawing sense of dread, I’m cautiously optimistic. I'm eager to see if it can maintain its chilling momentum and deliver a genuinely terrifying and memorable underwater adventure.

Ultimately, 'Beneath' looks like it's trying to tap into that primal fear of the unknown lurking beneath the waves. Whether it succeeds in crafting a truly terrifying experience or ends up being another forgettable splash in the ocean remains to be seen. Still, if you're a fan of survival horror with a hefty dose of aquatic unease, it's definitely worth keeping an eye on. Just maybe don't play it right before your next scuba diving trip, eh?

Source: IGN South Africa. You can see the original 27-minute gameplay video here: [insert original URL here].

Tags: Beneath, Underwater Horror, Gameplay Video, Survival Horror, Indie Game

Original article: IGN South Africa