KEROGEN: Diving into the Oil-Drenched Deep, Where Your Mind Becomes the Machine (and You Might Just Lose It)
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
KEROGEN plunges players into an oil-drenched psychological horror as a drone operator exploring a sunken tanker, grappling with existential dread and the eerie mysteries of the deep, all wrapped in a deliciously retro PS1-esque vibe. It promises a mind-bending journey where the line between self and machine blurs, making you wonder what precious parts of *you* might be lost in the digital abyss.
Right then, let's talk about the deep blue. Because, fair dinkum, the ocean is a bit of a terrifying mystery box, isn't it? Full of things that could swallow your whole digital existence, or at least your Wi-Fi signal. And if there’s one thing a digital wizard like me knows, it’s that a good mystery box always hides something equally terrifying and intriguing. Which brings us, rather neatly, to **KEROGEN**.
Now, you lot know I love a good horror yarn, especially when it’s got that brain-bending, 'what exactly am I anymore?' vibe. We've seen it with *SOMA*'s existential aquatic dread, *BioShock*'s sunken dystopia, and the claustrophobic terror of *Iron Lung*. And honestly, mate, *KEROGEN* looks set to join that esteemed club of 'games I’ll play with one eye squinted through my fingers'.
So, what's the lowdown? As originally spotted by Oisin Kuhnke over at Rock Paper Shotgun (cheers for the intel, Oisin!), *KEROGEN* is a psychological horror that asks you to 'dredge up corpses from an oil-drenched nightmare.' You're Oteil, a 'forsaken drone operator' tasked with poking around a sunken oil-tanker. Not exactly your typical treasure hunt, is it?
The kicker? To explore this abyssal mess, you project your mind into machines. And here's where it gets properly spooky: 'With every dive, precious parts of you are lost in the transition.' Sound familiar? The *SOMA* comparisons are front and centre here, but honestly, this mechanic—this gradual erosion of self through digital transfer—is a goldmine for narrative. It makes you wonder about the very nature of identity, especially when we're all playing around with digital avatars and identities in the Web3 space, eh? Even if this game isn't *explicitly* Web3, the questions it asks hit pretty close to home.
Vibe-wise, we’re talking that ever-so-trendy low-poly, PS1-esque aesthetic. And you know I'm a massive fan of that retro-glitch look; it just adds another layer of unsettling charm. As for the gameplay, it's a bit of a mysterious one. The article admits it's not entirely clear 'moment to moment' what you'll be doing, beyond some underwater exploration, object investigation, and 'chatty moments.' But sometimes, mate, the mystery *is* the mechanic, isn't it? Give me strong vibes and a good ol' enigma over a perfectly polished but predictable experience any day.
You won’t be entirely alone down there, mind. There’s Maeve, the ship’s machinist, who’s apparently 'in over her head, but trusting her is not a choice.' Boris, the captain, who's dead set on making a buck. And Ayla, the analyst, who 'knows more than she admits.' Sounds like a proper chaotic ensemble, full of potential backstabbing and existential angst. Just how I like my digital adventures!
And here’s a neat little detail that piqued my wizardly curiosity: the mature content description specifically mentions 'body dysphoria.' In the context of transferring your consciousness into machines? That's not just a horror trope; it’s a genuinely fascinating exploration of identity and self, especially as we increasingly blur the lines between our physical and digital existences. Think about it – what truly defines 'you' when your mind is a ghost in the machine? Proper mind-boggling stuff.
So, while we don't have a release date for this deep-sea terror yet, my digital tea leaves are telling me this one's worth keeping an eye on. If you're keen to plunge into an oil-drenched nightmare where your very sense of self is on the line, chuck *KEROGEN* on your Steam wishlist. Who knows, you might just find a piece of yourself (or lose one) in the process. Just don't blame me if you start seeing phantom oil slicks in your metaverse.
*** *Original Article: "Head beneath the waves and pull up "corpses from an oil-drenched nightmare" in the ocean-fear inducing KEROGEN" by Oisin Kuhnke, published on Rock Paper Shotgun*
Tags: Horror, Psychological Horror, Indie Game, Retro Aesthetics, Existential Themes
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun