The Quarry is a Playable 80’s Slasher Flick Featuring an All-Star Cast

The Quarry is a new horror-survival game that is very much in the vein of Until Dawn. Developed by Supermassive Games, this game is a homage to the 80s slasher craze that haunted the video store market during its prime. The story centers on a group of young camp counselors who find themselves being hunted by local residents of a small town in upstate New York while a dark, supernatural entity pulls the strings. This game features a rather impressive cast such as Ted Raimi, Ethan Suplee, Lin Shaye, Lance Henriksen, and several others. With some being horror movie veterans, no less. This is suitable since this new title is basically a playable horror movie in many aspects. What makes this game extra appealing is the fact that there are different ways to play it. Even if someone isn’t a hardcore gamer, The Quarry can be set up to be a nice introduction for the uninitiated during parties and other social gatherings.

No doubt that The Quarry was inspired by classic adventure games of the 90s with a modern twist to it. This game is played from a 3rd person’s perspective and players will be free to explore a well-realized environment while not knowing what’s around the corner. As the plot progresses, and people start dropping, tension will start squeezing around the player’s neck like a tightrope until they finally reach one of the 186 different endings available. This game is set up to be played any way a player wants. Everything from turning off all the QTE to toggling the behavioral A.I. of the characters can all be optimized. There is definitely a lot to look into with this new horror adventure and players who are looking for something fresh and technically impressive should have their eye on this.

Wicked Woods

This game takes place at an abandoned camp called Hackett’s Quarry. Naturally, it’s nestled deep in the mountains up in New York state which is rife with secrets that shouldn’t be meddled with. A camp in the woods is a classic location that has been the backdrop for numerous slashers ever since the original Friday the 13th. The backbone of this sub-genre of horror games is all about making split-second decisions. Every decision that is made will cause a ripple effect that will ultimately seal the fate of the characters. The cast plays characters who lean toward the stereotypical archetypes found in most slasher movies. However, there are just enough complexities in their personalities that help avoid a particular character being shuffled into a category. They are all likable enough and players shouldn’t have any qualms about who lives or dies. Yes, there is death aplenty in The Quarry and it comes in all flavors.

Generally, there are up to about a dozen possible deaths for all the characters in this game. However, is it possible for everyone to survive the night and avoid every possible deadly encounter? Yes, yes it is. This will be no easy feat and it will most likely require multiple playthroughs to perfect it. All the decisions are made moment to moment and it all depends on the mood of the player. The overall story can last up to 10 to 12 hours, depending on how careful players are during their playthrough. Worst case scenario is around seven hours. Mainly, this is when all the characters are wiped out. The twist here is that there isn’t a lone killer stalking these teenagers. Instead, there are multiple threats looming about and it will be very difficult to determine who to trust. The woods provide enough danger in their own right, however, let’s not forget that a dark, otherwordly presence is also a factor in this story.

Night of the Decisions

As opposed to other horror games of this caliber like Dark Pictures Anthology, this IP provides a little freedom to exploring Hackett’s Quarry. Generally, these gameplay segments are moments of reflection and also give players the chance to find collectibles. After players complete their initial playthrough, they will obtain a new feature called “Death Rewind.” This is exactly what it sounds like it is. Basically, if a player made a sour decision and their character dies, they can rewind time and make another decision. This can only be done three times, however. Now, even though The Quarry has QTEs, they’re not the standard variety. Instead, they are more akin to moving the analog stick in a certain direction. Apparently, this was a deliberate design choice to help this game be more accessible to a wider audience and not have to memorize which button to push.

There are moments of full control during key scenarios in The Quarry. Things like aiming a gun, dodging a branch, leaping over gaps, and other actions will need to be manually executed during this night of terror. With that said, the developers also put in a “Movie Mode” which basically eliminates the need to interact in the game during those key moments. Instead, players just simply make a decision and everything unfolds on its own. This is a nice alternative for more casual gamers out there and frankly, this makes this title a prime outlet for a slumber party or any other overnight social event. There is a lot to look forward to with this new horror title and it is kind of slipping under the radar for many players out there. Hopefully, more gamers will take notice and give it a chance when it releases later this summer.

Slasher’s Paradise

It is easy to point out all the different inspirations that made The Quarry. Not every game these days is tailor-made to be both a hardcore and casual experience. Thankfully, everything about this new IP is about accessibility and customization. This sub-genre of games are a breath of fresh among the plethora of horror title out there. With the cast that is involved with The Quarry, there is no doubt that well-versed horror fans are in for a treat. Expect this game to be released for the PlayStation, Xbox, and PC on June 10th.