If you were a fan of Selewi’s send-up to classic slasher movies from the 80s in Cannibal Abduction earlier this year, the developer is back with more with The Fear Business. Available now on Steam, the title follows the same line of Cannibal Abduction with its lo-fi look and feel, but adds found footage elements and some good ol’ 80s Satanic panic in what the developer refers to as Clock Tower meeting The Blair Witch Project.
The story concerns a journalist named Sarah, who in the wake of a brutal wave of layoffs, is now chasing a story that involves a shadowy satanic cult that’s rumoured to be connected to dozens of missing people. Some believe the tales are true, while others dismiss them as a hoax. Sarah is ready to expose the truth, but as she digs deeper into the horrifying mystery, she’ll soon realize that risking her life for that one shot may be the worst mistake she’s ever made.
In addition to exploring the creepy Solomon manor that’s full of interactions, items to collect, things to record, secrets and puzzles, you’ll need to interview the locals and record as much footage as you can for your scoop. To up the tension even more, The Fear Business employs a unique mechanic where you must blow the candles that light the devil shrines for saving your progress. But in doing so, the Solomon manor will become darker every time you do it.
The Fear Business also features multiple game modes in its ~5 hours of playtime. You can enjoy a classic tense survival horror experience, or pick the Scary Mode for an experience full of loud jumpscares. And if you’re up for a real challenge, you can opt for the Deadly Mode, which features a more lethal enemy, as well as the key to unlocking an even harder difficulty setting.
If you’re one of those undecided individuals who’s hesitant to take advantage of the 10% discount during Steam Scream Fest, you can also check out the demo for The Fear Business.