Chris InglisHolstin is an upcoming psychological survival horror game developed by Sonka. From the moment I laid eyes on Holstin in 2023, it had it’s hook in me. As a long-time fan of pixel art games, it looked like many of the point-and-click adventure games over the years. However, what truly elevates Holstin beyond a nostalgic nod to older games is its surprisingly innovative approach to presentation and combat.
The game is set in early 90’s Poland, in the first stages of transformation following the fall of the Soviet Union. In the small, isolated seaside town called Jeziorne-Kolonia, a terrible supernatural calamity has taken over, slowly consuming everyone and everything it touches. You enter the town to investigate the calamity and the whereabouts of a missing journalist.
The pixel art design is simply stunning and manages to be both detailed and atmospheric, creating a sense of dread and mystery that permeates every scene. Each environment feels meticulously crafted, drawing you deeper into its unsettling world. The game features various perspectives, including isometric 3D, over-the-shoulder third person shooting, first-person driving, top-down exploration, and side-scrolling. But Sonka have gone to the next level with the graphics.
The ability to seamlessly change your view angle within the environment by pressing Q or E is frankly a game-changer. It’s not just a neat visual trick; it adds a layer of immersion and strategic depth I wasn’t expecting. Turning the camera to look around corners and from all angles looking for interactive items, getting a better vantage point on a puzzle, or simply appreciating the detailed artwork from a new perspective blew me away and genuinely enhances the experience.
Then there’s the aiming of your weapon over the character’s shoulder, and the trailer shows you driving a car from inside the car’s perspective. In what starts as a pixel art horror game, the concept of being able to aim down the scope of your weapon feels revolutionary. It transforms what could have been generic combat into something far more visceral and engaging. That momentary tunnel vision, the focus on your target, and the panic at times trying to aim for weak points all elevates the tension and makes every shot feel impactful. It’s a bold move that pays off immensely, injecting a level of tactical depth rarely seen in this style of game.
Speaking of combat, I’ll admit, I was terrible at it at first. The initial encounters felt a bit awkward, and I fumbled with aiming at weak points more than I’d like to admit. However, this initial friction quickly gave way to a satisfying rhythm as I got used to the mechanics. Once you understand the movement, the aiming, and the pacing of encounters, the combat becomes an intense and often thrilling experience. It’s a learning curve, but one that’s worth mastering.
There are puzzles to solve that struck that perfect balance of challenging yet intuitive. I never found myself tearing my hair out, desperately consulting a walkthrough. Instead, each solution felt earned, the result of careful observation and logical deduction in surrounding scenes. They seamlessly integrate into the story and world, never feeling like random roadblocks. This is a testament to clever design, respecting the player’s intelligence without resorting to obscure or frustrating riddles. I loved being able to change the camera angle which really opened up the ability to explore every nook and cranny available looking for clues.
This media demo preview of Holstin blew me away and developers Sonka have taken a confident step forward for a pixel art horror game and the point-and-click genre in general. It takes familiar elements and injects them with innovative mechanics that genuinely enhances the gameplay. If you’re a fan of pixel art games, you just have to add Holstin to your wishlist and play the demo to experience the different camera angles and aiming down sights. I was very impressed with this preview and am super keen to see more as the game develops towards a yet-to-be announced release date on PC and consoles.
This preview utilised a key provided by Wire Tap Media and Holstin is under development on Steam and is planned for all major platforms. To keep the game fully independent and true to the vision of the team at Sonka, they are launching a kickstarter campaign in the coming months. Be sure to head to their Kickstarter page and support them with this amazing vision and a game that is sure to be a success.
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