I’m the kind of guy that usually waits for the whole season to come out before I get into a new show/game. I just hate getting invested in a world and characters only to learn you’ll never get a satisfying conclusion. I rarely break this habit. But I did for Song of Horror. I’m glad I did. It’s given me a chance to watch the most promising new horror franchise of years grow and develop. And on May 14th, I’ll get to see how it all ends.
For those of you who aren’t familiar, Song of Horror is a new episodic indie horror title from developer Protocol Games and publisher Raiser Games. A five-year labor of love, Song of Horror sets itself apart with its classically inspired gameplay, permadeath system, and genuinely terrifying scares. I actually did a long breakdown on just what makes the game so good for my very first Indie Spotlight, so go check that out if you haven’t already had the chance.
Astute readers will notice that Episode 5 has a much longer gap than previous episodes. This is because Protocol Games is taking some time to get the finale right. From the sounds of it, they have ambitious hopes for the conclusion. Here’s some information from the Official Press Release:
The release of the final episode in the series – though a little later than originally anticipated – will bring together everything players have experienced in the story to date; the horrors they’ve witnessed, the answers they’ve fought for, the characters they’ve lost, and – crucially – those who have survived, as well.
The Presence, now fully unleashed, will connect all the strands in the final episode, itself serving as the player’s last opportunity to get rid of the cursed song: Build a bridge into the past to change the dark future that awaits you, unraveling the origins of the eerie entity that refuses to let you go.
Dubbed “The Horror and The Song”, the launch of Episode 5 will be a momentous release for Protocol Games, as studio founder Carlos Grupeli explains: “This is the closing chapter in an adventure we first set out on almost six years ago. We wanted to breathe life into a horror game we, as gamers had always wanted to play,” he says.
“All five episodes of Song of Horror are the product of that desire, and we can’t wait for those who have played the first four episodes – and indeed those new to the game, taking on all five episodes in one go – to experience just how the story ends. We also want to thank our publisher, Raiser Games, for supporting us in the decision to push back the episode’s launch to ensure its overall quality.”
Episode 5 will feature: –
I’m really interested to see how this whole time-bending idea works into the final chapter. Getting more insight on The Presence itself is a bit of a gamble. We’ve seen plenty a franchise screw up their main villain through over-explanation. Hopefully, Song of Horror can strike that perfect balance.
If you’re just so distraught that you have to wait a few more months for the conclusion, worry not. Protocol Games has something else in store for you. In preparation for the final chapter, Chapter 4 is being updated with a bunch of new content. This one you won’t have to wait for. Dropping today on Steam, here’s a highlight of the Chapter 4 additions:
If you haven’t played Song of Horror, you 100% should. It’s not a game that any fan of horror should miss. With the first chapter only being $8, you really have no excuse. Click here to buy it on Steam. Expect more news on console ports to come soon after the game’s full release.