Dementium: The Ward

The survival horror genre is one that seems to never dwindle in popularity. With Resident Evil 5 currently dominating the charts, following the successful release of titles such as F.E.A.R 2 and House Of The Dead: Overkill, battling the undead clearly still pushes consumers’ buttons.

It stands to reason, then, that gamers wish to take on the not-so-dearly departed when they’re on the move too, and South Peak’s upcoming DS release will give them the chance to do just that.

Dementium: The Ward is an ambitious survival horror title bringing everything that makes the genre popular to Nintendo’s bestselling handheld.

Trapped in a derelict hospital with no memory of who they are or how they ended up there, players must explore the dark, dank corridors to find the truth and escape in one piece. In the hospital they will encounter hideous monsters and other abominations too horrifying to even contemplate.

“This is the scariest DS game to date – fact,” says South Peak’s product marketing manager Ed Blincoe.

“Dementium is a survival horror game that tells the tale of a man who wakes to find himself alone in a mysterious and abandoned hospital.

“Played from the first person perspective, you’re confronted by grotesque surgical experiements wandering the halls and must face your deepest fears to unlock the mystery of the hospital and escape with your life.”

The use of the first person perspective, as has been proven by previous titles in the genre, heightens the tension as players have to check each room carefully, for fear of being ambushed by hideous and twisted monsters. Gamers are armed only with a torch to light their way, but they must be cautious if they don’t want to draw the attention of too many of the hospital’s inhabitants.

HORROR STORIES
As players progress through the title, they will discover weapons that offer a better form of defence against their foes. The use of the DS’s unique control scheme ensures that aiming is considerably more accurate than that of console-based survival horror titles, limited as they are by the dependency on two analogue sticks.

However, the developers haven’t relied solely on conflict to send shivers down players’ spines. The intriguing story unfolds as more of the hospital is discovered and users may find themselves wishing they had not gone in search of the truth as the game culminates in its reportedly shocking conclusion.

“Dementium offers a completely new experience on the DS and also offers a unique psychological experience; one that challenges the mind to ask questions and think beyond the surface of the in-game surroundings,” says Blincoe. “So obviously, we’re expecting a few soiled underpants.”

Visually, the game is very impressive for a Nintendo DS title. Able to render darkness and shadows, the hospital corridors are just as creepy as anything found in console titles today. It’s not just the graphics that have been used to strike fear into handheld gamers’ hearts either – sound also plays an important part in the game.

“Dementium is a scary, scary game that really pushes the DS to its technical limits with great graphics and some cool audio,” Blincoe explains.

“Play the game in the dark with a decent pair of headphones and you’ll see what we’re talking about. One of our number even squeals like a little girl when he plays it in the office.”

The majority of marketing for Dementium will be focused online. South Peak has targeted a range of horror and movie websites, such as Gorezone, Bizarre and Total Film. The publisher will also communicate with hardcore games and horror fans via social networking sites, including Myspace and Facebook, as well as placing ads on specialist gaming websites.

“Dementium has reviewed exceptionally well and will appeal to hardcore DS gamers, along with the guys that usually come in for a 360 or PS3 title,” says Blincoe.

“Resident Evil and Left 4 Dead fans will love this game, and the BBFC 15 certificate will really broaden the audience.”