Parasite (2016)

Parasite is a roguelike survival horror game set in a modern-day world, focusing on themes of possession and survival. Currently in development, the game offers a unique gameplay experience where each session takes approximately 2 to 3 hours to complete. While fully playable and completable, it is still undergoing improvements in areas such as graphical user interface (GUI) design, game balancing, and overall polish. The game immerses players in an unpredictable and hostile environment, where the primary mechanic revolves around possessing other characters in order to survive.

Key Features

• Expansive Modern-Day City: Players can explore a dynamically generated city designed to reflect a contemporary urban environment. The setting provides numerous opportunities for both survival and danger, requiring the player to navigate a series of challenges and threats.
• Compelling Storyline: The game introduces a single, intense story scenario where the protagonist starts alone, disoriented, and without memories. As the player progresses, they must uncover the protagonist's backstory while facing numerous dangers in a world filled with hostile human beings.
• Possession Mechanics: Central to the gameplay, the possession system is vital for the player's survival. Without a host, the player quickly succumbs to death. By possessing different human bodies, players can adapt to various situations, making use of each host's unique attributes to overcome obstacles and enemies.
• Host Inventory, Skills, and Knowledge: Each host the player possesses comes with its own set of skills, knowledge, and inventory. Players must strategically choose which hosts to take over in order to maximize their chances of survival, adapting their approach as they explore the environment.
• Player Evolution: The game includes an evolution mechanic that allows the player to unlock new abilities and physical traits over time. As the player progresses, the character's possessed bodies gain new capabilities that enhance survival, offering new strategies for overcoming the game's various challenges.
• Habitat Building and Improvements: Players can create and upgrade shelters to rest and recuperate. These habitats serve as safe havens where the player can prepare for future dangers, offering a tactical element to the gameplay.
• Dynamic Difficulty Settings: Throughout the game, players can encounter different levels of difficulty. These settings adjust based on the player's progress and actions, providing a unique challenge that evolves over the course of each session.
• Event Timeline and Investigation: The game features an event timeline that players must piece together. By investigating past occurrences and clues, players can uncover key information about what happened before their arrival and what steps they need to take next to continue their journey.
• Hostile Opponent Group: A proactive and dangerous group of enemies is dedicated to finding and eliminating threats to humanity. This group actively hunts the protagonist, adding a layer of tension and urgency to the player's actions.

Development and Vision

Parasite has been in sporadic development since 2016, with the game taking shape over several years. In 2022, the game's developer decided to dedicate full-time effort toward refining the game and preparing it for a release on Steam. This shift in focus allowed for significant progress and brought the game closer to the developer's original vision. The game has evolved significantly during its development, and the developer is proud of the progress made so far. With continued attention to detail and polishing, Parasite aims to offer players an immersive, tense, and rewarding experience that pushes the boundaries of survival horror gameplay.

Despite being still in development, Parasite offers a captivating and unique experience. The blend of possession mechanics, strategic gameplay, and the mysterious storyline promises to make it a standout title within the survival horror genre. Players will need to be resourceful, adaptable, and vigilant as they navigate a dangerous world full of secrets, hostile entities, and increasingly difficult challenges.

Parasite is a unique survival horror game that takes a fresh approach with its possession mechanics. The city is fully explorable, and the way you need to inhabit different hosts adds tension and strategy to every session. It’s not perfect yet, with some interface issues and balancing still in progress, but the core gameplay is strong and engaging.

If you enjoy roguelike experiences and don’t mind a game that’s still polishing its edges, Parasite offers hours of suspenseful play and interesting story moments. The evolving character and skill system make each run feel rewarding, and the danger from the world keeps you on your toes.

We recommend Parasite for fans of survival horror looking for something different. It’s clever, challenging, and has the potential to be a standout if the final polish hits right.