Ghosts

Developer: Jed Shepherd in association with Limited Run Games and Visible Games
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4/PS5, Xbox One & Series X/S
Release Date: TBD 2025

On the surface, Ghosts presents itself as a tribute to the “so-bad, they’re good” FMV (full motion video) games from the ‘90s in the vein of Sewer Shark and Night Trap. However, Ghosts puts a twist on the formula: playing as a producer of a horror-based reality tv show, you cycle through camera feeds watching contestants explore a haunted house, and you begin to experience your own share of hauntings within the confines of your comfy van, revealing a dark presence that draws you into something sinister. The game also employs a fascinating gimmick: it will only be playable in “real time” after 10PM based on your current timezone—and also, quitting the game prematurely will result in the worst and most gruesome ending for the live action cast.

Ghosts is an alluring spin on popular narrative-driven horror experiences and the experimental games that never left the ‘90s—think equal parts Five Nights at Freddy’s and Night Trap. The combination of the two, with the jarring yet playful use of live-action actors exploring the house and the explorable space of the van feeling increasingly unsafe, made for something very compelling, a new mix of different genres, and it’s something I want to see more of—especially with monster designs coming from Siren Head creator Trevor Henderson.