Last night, at State of Play, publisher NACON and studio Rogue Factor unveiled the first gameplay trailer for Hell is Us, the studio’s major new project. Jonathan Jacques-Belletête, the creative director on the game, invites players to join him on NACON’s YouTube channel on September 30 at 5pm CEST to find out more about Hell is Us. The game is scheduled for release in 2025 on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.
Hell is Us is a third-person action-adventure game where the protagonist sets out to learn more about his past in the different regions of a country ravaged by civil war. The almost total self-sufficiency of the country hides a dark secret: the recent appearance of supernatural creatures resembling ancient headstones and monuments in the region. Armed with weapons specially forged to fight these monsters, the protagonist must learn how to defeat them and use his equipment wisely.
The game also features a singular approach to game design, that can best be named by the term “player-plattering”. This concept is the opposite of “silver-plattering”, which consists of over-explaining and serving everything to players on a silver platter. With Hell is Us, the studio wanted to go back to the roots of old-school adventure games, by encouraging exploration and reflection, and by eliminating traditional aids. Here, there are no detailed maps, quest markers or compasses revealing all points of interest: players will have to rely on their intuition, observational and reasoning skills to progress through their journey and discover the secrets of these mysterious lands. Further information on this concept is available in an exclusive PlayStation Blog article.
Join us on 30 September at 4pm BST / 8am PT on NACON’s YouTube channel for a detailed presentation of the game, hosted by Jonathan Jacques-Belletête !
Today, EA and BioWare showcased a brand-new gameplay trailer for Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the single-player fantasy RPG experience coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC on October 31, 2024. Click here to watch the trailer on Dragon Age’s YouTube channel.
In the trailer, Dragon Age’s newest hero Rook fights alongside two companions, Taash and Lucanis, against a fearsome dragon that the blighted gods have unleashed on Thedas. The trailer highlights the combat abilities of the Mage class, incinerating, freezing, electrocuting and crushing foes using the game’s new Ability Wheel.
Check out the blog here or pasted below (minus embedded video):
We are excited to share with you the latest look from Dragon Age: The Veilguard. In this new gameplay slice, captured on PlayStation 5, watch Rook, Dragon Age’s newest hero, fighting alongside two companions, Taash and Lucanis, that we brought along specifically for this battle. There are seven companions in total in the game, and these make up the Veilguard – who are tasked with Rook to take on corrupt ancient gods who are hellbent on destroying the world.
As seen in the trailer, the blighted gods have unleashed a fearsome dragon on Thedas. It will be up to you, as Rook, to use all your tactical skills and abilities in the fight – whilst commanding your companions in battle with the ability wheel – to fight smart and strategically deliver the most devastating attacks and combos to bring the gigantic beast down.
The Rook featured in this battle is a Mage – one of three classes you can choose when you create your character. Mages rain down fury with spells that incinerate, freeze, electrocute and crush. Some cast from afar, while others prefer close quarters combat.
The mage class can switch between two weapon sets – a Staff for ranged attacks, or an Elemental Orb and Dagger for close quarters combat. Eagle eyed players might be able to see Rook is facing off against an ice dragon in the trailer, which is vulnerable to fire. Because of this, the player has equipped an Orb that enhances Burning damage, alongside supplementary skills that complement the equipped weaponry.
Throughout the fight, Rook commands her companions to utilize abilities that set up powerful damage combinations. For example, when the dragon is staggered, Rook primes the target by commanding Lucanis to use the “Debilitate” ability. This applies the “Sundered” status, which is then detonated by Rook’s “Dark Squall” ability. This Primer + Detonator combo produces massive damage, getting the group closer to victory.
To end the battle, Rook uses the equipped ultimate ability “Thunderous End”, unleashing a massive amount of damage, shocking enemies in a wide radius. This is perfect against a large target like the ice dragon you’re facing off against.
Ultimately, as either a Mage, Rogue, or Warrior, you will strive to become the leader and can customize your look, abilities, gear, and companions, all based on your playstyle. Each and every battle you face is an opportunity to try new strategies against increasingly perilous enemies.
In Dragon Age: The Veilguard, releasing on October 31 on PlayStation 5, you will save the battered world of Thedas and unite the Veilguard: your team of seven companions, each with their own rich lives and deep backstories. This bold, heroic adventure is built to deliver on what BioWare is best known for: rich storytelling, fantasy worldbuilding, companions & fellowship, and a world where you matter.
IO Interactive, the independent video game developer and publisher behind, among others, the internationally acclaimed HITMAN franchise, debuted a first look at HITMAN World of Assassination on PlayStation VR2 during the PlayStation State of Play. Planned for release in December 2024, the PlayStation VR2 version of HITMAN World of Assassination will feature brand-new VR features including dual-wielding, full ambidexterity, room-scale implementation, as well as general improved VR experience through new intuitive controls and gameplay mechanics. Players will be able to access the PSVR2 version through an upgrade pack available for HITMAN World of Assassination owners on PlayStation®5.
HITMAN World of Assassination on PlayStation VR2 will support the full main campaign of HITMAN World of Assassination, allowing players to enjoy the award-winning game with added immersion and brand-new additions. Become the world’s best assassin through the 4K HDR display of PlayStation VR2. Explore your surroundings, create unique strategies using the environment, disguise yourself to blend in the crowd, and strike when the timing is right, all through Agent 47’s eyes.
HITMAN World of Assassination on PlayStation VR2 has been enhanced to completely immerse players during their missions. Now supporting dual-wielding, a wide array of actions and interactions have been added, including the possibility of performing actions with both controllers at the same time, active reloading, on-body weapon holstering, aiming through the sniper’s scope. Enhancements have been added to improve the core VR experience, such as Room scale implementation, spatial interactions to touch, grab, and position, integration of the PlayStation VR2 controllers’ adaptative triggers, and many more.
Players who already own HITMAN World of Assassination on PlayStation 5 will be able to buy an upgrade pack to the PlayStation VR2 content for $9.99, €9.99, £8.99.
HITMAN World of Assassination will launch on PlayStation VR2 for PlayStation 5 in December 2024. HITMAN World of Assassination is available now on PlayStation 5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch.
The blog post regarding HITMAN World of Assassination coming to PlayStation VR2 can be found here.
A new champion rises in an epic battle against some of the fiercest fighters of the Three Kingdoms in KOEI TECMO’s upcoming action game, DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS. Developed by Omega Force, DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS introduces a nameless hero to the 1 vs. 1,000 gameplay of Warriors lore as a mysterious martial artist steps to the forefront of the game’s epic story. Scheduled to release worldwide on Jan. 17, 2025 on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC via Steam®, the title promises to deliver the most intense combat of any game in franchise history.
As seen in the stirring new video, DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS begins during the dawn of an era of tremendous upheaval in the Three Kingdoms, when the original protagonist — a traveling martial artist with amnesia – finds himself in the middle of great conflict. Here, the game’s hero partakes in this dramatic tale of ancient China, where he plays an active role in the storyline while giving players first-hand experience in the drama of the war-torn land. Throughout the journey, players will make various choices as the protagonist — but he too carries a secret — which will have an impact on the Three Kingdoms, helping illustrate a turbulent time in history in exciting new ways.
Throughout his battles, the nameless hero will sometimes forge into combat on his own, while at other times, he’ll join alongside allied officers and soldiers to storm towards large forces of enemies. Players can rely on the strength of accompanying Musou officers, issue commands to units, or charge forward into oncoming armies, varying up strategies to conquer the deadly battlefield in this epic showcase of 1 vs. 1,000 action.
Throughout DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS, there will also be many well-known and powerful officers such as Lu Bu waiting to test the young martial artist’s skill. Battles against these officers who possess near superhuman strength results in combat that is both highly action-oriented and challenging while keeping players on the edge of their seats throughout every encounter. This extraordinary power also thrives within your allies as the Companion officer that accompanies the protagonist can become temporarily playable if certain conditions are met during battle, leading to an exhilarating experience of clearing out enemies with dominance on a completely different scale!
For more information on DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS, be sure to visit the official site, Subscribe to the official KOEI TECMO America YouTube channel, Like us on Facebook, and Follow us on X, Instagram, and Discord.
Insta360, a global leader in innovative camera technology, today announced the launch of Insta360 Link 2 and Link 2C, a pair of AI-powered 4K webcams that aim to revolutionize online video conferencing and live streaming experiences.
Whether heading up a meeting, delivering online lessons, or engaging with viewers on a live stream, the quality of both your video and your audio matters more than ever.
Link 2 and Link 2C are designed to meet these demands, delivering premium imaging that shines in any environment. The high-performance 1/2″ sensor, paired with advanced HDR technology and the latest AI image enhancing and noise reduction, all work to ensure lifelike detail even in challenging lighting conditions. The audio offering for these webcams has also been transformed, with new algorithms and AI noise reduction technology ensuring best-in-class audio, without the need for a separate mic.
“Link 2 and Link 2C represent our ongoing commitment to making virtual connections more engaging and seamless. We’ve listened to user feedback and pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in a webcam, combining premium 4K imaging, crystal-clear audio, and intuitive AI-powered features. Link 2 and Link 2C empower you to present your best self online, no matter where you are,” shared JK Liu, Founder of Insta360.
Insta360 Link 2 and 2C are available to order from September 24 via the Insta360 Official Store and select retailers, priced at US$199 and US$149 respectively.
Exceptional imaging in any environment.
In the realm of virtual communication, first impressions matter. Whether you’re pitching a client, teaching a class, or building your online community, your video quality speaks volumes. That’s why Link 2 and Link 2C come equipped with the best imaging technology in their class.
At the heart of these webcams lies a powerful 1/2″ sensor, which is larger than those found in typical webcams. A larger sensor means they capture more light and more detail, with strong low light capabilities, enabling their use even in poorly lit spaces. This is coupled with advanced HDR (High Dynamic Range) technology to really drive that dynamic range and get greater balance between highlights and shadows.
With support for up to 4K30fps resolution, you’ll always look your best on camera. The crisp details and vibrant colors help remove those layers of separation that exist in online communication, and make it feel more like a face-to-face interaction.
Link 2 and Link 2C don’t only look after your appearance. They’re able to replicate a near DSLR-like depth of field, with an impressively natural bokeh effect for your surroundings. There’s also True Focus, which uses faster, more accurate Phase Detection Auto Focus (PDAF) to rapidly focus and avoid blurry shots.
Two unique models.
Everyone has different needs and preferences when it comes to their webcam setup. That’s why we’ve created two distinct models, each offering unique advantages.
Link 2: For those who need ultimate flexibility, Link 2 features a built-in 2-axis gimbal for smooth, stabilized footage and AI-powered tracking that keeps you in frame.
Link 2C: Ideal for those with a more fixed setup, Link 2C offers the same stunning 4K image quality and AI features in a compact, gimbal-free design.
Both Link 2 and Link 2C will launch with upgraded, premium accessories. A new Magnetic Mount, included in the box, makes setup a breeze. There’s also the option to snap the camera onto a monitor or any magnetic surface for quick and easy positioning.
AI noise reduction and professional audio.
Distracting background noise can derail even the most polished live stream or presentation. Link 2 and Link 2C put an end to that, thanks to their state-of-the-art AI noise reduction technology. From a busy coffee shop or shared workspace to the comfort of your own home, you can count on professional-grade audio.
Powered by advanced algorithms, these webcams filter out unwanted sounds like keyboard clicks, nearby conversations, or traffic noise, ensuring your voice comes through loud and clear.
Link 2 and Link 2C come with three unique profiles to tailor to your environment, including Voice Focus, Voice Suppression, and Music Balance- ensuring whatever the situation, your message is heard.
Intuitive AI-powered control.
Link 2 and Link 2C have taken their AI capabilities up a level. Move freely, gesture effortlessly, and let the camera do the work.
With precision AI Tracking and Auto Framing, you’re free to move around while the camera keeps you perfectly centered in the frame. Ideal for educators, presenters, and anyone who needs to move around their space during a video call or live stream. A newly added Group Tracking option also ensures that if you’re co-hosting, neither you or your partner take up too much of the frame.
New Pause-Track Areas allow the camera to recognize areas where it shouldn’t track you. This is ideal, for example, in an e-commerce live stream, to show products in different positions without the camera following you, or in a presentation setting to ensure sensitive areas or information aren’t shown (available on Link 2 only).
Gesture Control has received a significant refresh, allowing for even more control without ever touching your camera. Simple hand gestures trigger actions like starting/stopping AI Tracking, zooming in or out, and activating Smart Whiteboard Mode. Intuitive, convenient, and perfect for keeping your focus on your audience.
Versatile tools for any scenario.
The new generation of Link brings a host of new and updated features for effortless engagements online, with added modes, better control remotely, and professional-grade filters.
Smart Whiteboard Mode*: Auto-detects the whiteboard that you’re presenting from, keeping it squared off and in focus. Online presentations have never been easier. Alternatively, there’s the existing Whiteboard Mode, which uses small recognition markers to designate the presentation space.
*Requires the use of the Link Controller desktop software.
Full 4K Portrait Mode: Capture uncropped 4K vertical video, perfect for social media. Simply attach to a tripod (sold separately) for high resolution streaming.
Remote Smartphone Control: Adjust settings, switch modes, and control the gimbal (Link 2) right from your phone.
Background Replacement: Need to hide a messy room or jump into a professional setting quickly? Link 2 and Link 2C offer seamless background switching.
DeskView Mode: Perfect overhead view for presentations and demos.
One Click Makeup: A makeup filter that actually looks natural! Perfect when you’re running late and want to add a last-minute touch up.
Privacy Mode: Easily protect your privacy with configurable states where the webcam will face downward and mute itself.
All this in a set of webcams that are compatible with all major video conferencing and streaming platforms, including Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Twitch, and more.
Available Now
The future of video conferencing and live streaming starts here. Insta360 Link 2 and Link 2C will be available worldwide starting September 24th 2024, available for US$199 and US$149 respectively. Both are available via the Insta360 Official Store, Amazon, and select retailers.
Upgrade your setup today and discover how Insta360 Link 2 and Link 2C can transform your online presence.
The wait is over! Epic Mickey is back, and this time, the stakes are truly epic! Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed, the highly anticipated remake of the beloved classic, developed by Purple Lamp in collaboration with Disney Games and published by THQ Nordic, is now available on Nintendo® Switch, PS4™, PS5™, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Mickey Mouse’s adventure with magic ink has gone awry, and he soon finds himself pulled into the dangerous world of Wasteland, a realm where forgotten Disney characters reside. In Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed, players will step into Mickey’s shoes and take control of his magical brush to restore the world around him or use paint and thinner to reshape the environment and uncover hidden secrets.
Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed brings the classic 2010 game back and for the first time ever, is available to modern consoles with enhanced visuals and graphics. New gameplay features include dash, ground pound and sprint allowing fans of the original and newcomers alike more ways to navigate Wasteland and combat enemies. Along with the magic paint brush, players can explore the unpredictable world of Wasteland, with levels inspired by classic Disney stories, and meet familiar faces along the way.
Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is available now for Nintendo® Switch, PS4™, PS5™, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC at an SRP of € 59.99 / $ 59.99 / £ 49.99 / AU$ 99.95 / ¥ 7590.
Follow @thqnordic for all Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed news and updates.
The Riftbreaker: Heart of the Swamp plunges players into an all-new, uncharted Fungal Swamp biome teeming with unique flora, fauna, and challenges. As players explore the mysterious swamps, they will encounter new enemies, find powerful upgrades, and develop groundbreaking technologies that will give them a multitude of strategic options in this unwelcoming environment. “Our goal with Heart of the Swamp was to expand the universe of The Riftbreaker in ways that offer fresh, exciting experiences for both new and veteran players,” said Paweł Lekki, COO of EXOR Studios. “The Fungal Swamp biome is filled with unique challenges and mysteries that we believe will captivate and engage our community.”
V/H/S/BEYOND, the seventh installment of the V/H/S franchise will feature six new bloodcurdling tapes, placing horror at the forefront of a sci-fi-inspired hellscape.
Don’t miss the premiere of V/H/S/BEYOND Friday, October 4th on Shudder.
Directors: Jordan Downey, Christian Long & Justin Long, Justin Martinez, Virat Pal, Kate Siegel, and Jay Cheel
Language: English
Running Time: 110 mins
Explore a richer and deeper medieval world in Roads to Power, the highly anticipated expansion of Crusader Kings III, Paradox Interactive’s best-selling strategy role-playing game about the Middle Ages. Travel a world of danger and opportunity as your character seeks wealth and adventure, or navigate the perilous waters of imperial politics – a setting where brute force often bows to diplomacy and intrigue.
Roads to Power is the newest Major Expansion of Crusader Kings III, focusing on two significant changes to the core game experience. First, Landless Adventurer characters start with a camp and a few followers but can gain great power and influence by offering their skills to neighboring rules. Second, the Administrative Government playstyle comes to the Byzantine Empire, in a more historically appropriate representation of the political system of one of the great Mediterranean powers. An associated comic book about the rise of Basil I, “Many Roads to Power”, was published in August, free for everyone to read and enjoy.
Features of Crusader Kings III: Roads to Power include:
Administrative Government: Experience medieval rule outside of the feudal system with a new style of empire management. A web of Governors jockeys for position in the empire with intrigue and power, sometimes rewarding merit and sometimes rewarding perfidy. Only a truly skilled Emperor can keep these squabbling forces in line.
The Family Estate: Run and manage a powerful Family Estate, the seat of your House’s power, even when you hold no other land. Construct new buildings and improvements to further your power and influence within an administrative empire.
Influence System: Build up a character’s influence within an administrative empire to climb the rungs of bureaucracy. Raise your status in the realm and gather more power for yourself. Start as a landless noble on an estate, and compete for valuable provinces to govern before making your bid for the Purple.
A Life of Adventure: Freely roam the map, untied to any realm or holding, going wherever the winds of fortune blow you. Fulfill contracts as a landless adventurer, even through the generations, building up a reputation of your own. Earn gold, prestige and fame travelling the globe until you decide to settle down and claim land you have earned through merit.
Choose Successor or Caesar: Spend the influence you have gathered to determine the course of the Empire and get the successor you want, whether a royal family member, a powerful noble, a martial hero, or any other candidate you can rally the people behind. The Emperor can even opt to co-rule if the burden of the throne is too much for one person.
New Byzantine Flavor Content: New events, monuments and activities built around the Byzantine theme, including chariot racing.
Cosmetic Additions: A Byzantine-themed UI skin and new court fashions for your characters, new 2D event art, new on-map monuments of the Byzantine world, new on-map holding designs, and a Byzantine throne room for Royal Court sessions, among other aesthetic improvements. New music inspired by Orthodox holy chants is also included.
Arrow Video is excited to announce the October 2024 lineup of their subscription-based ARROW platform, available to subscribers in the US, Canada, the UK and Ireland. Enjoy a selection of new titles, from carefully cultivated curations to shorts by new talent. For serious enthusiasts, ARROW offers deep dives into the tastes of filmmakers that changed the way we see the genre.
The October 2024 lineup leads with ARROW’s annual curation Shocktober31, leading up to every subscriber’s favorite day of the year. ARROW has a candy bag full of tricks, treats, and more for every flavor of film fan. Recent releases and classic scares combine with innovative new shorts and curated content for 31 days of terror.
October 1’s Seasonal offerings kicks off with the infamous Shocktober31 (UK/IRE/US/CA). ARROW conjures Shocktober31 from its grave for another October highlighting some of our favorite horror titles streaming on ARROW each day. 31 days, 31 movies, guaranteed to make your Halloween go with a scream. Is it even Halloween without an ARROW Shocktober31?
Let’s get this (pumpkin) party started with a collection of terrifying Cult classics, old and new, to take care of your October viewing for the full 31 days of Hallow— we mean, ARROWeen!
Titles Include: Noroi: The Curse, Offspring, Pandemonium.
On October 4, ARROW goes trick or treating with filmmaking legend and box office smash Michael Dougherty. Reach into the candy bag and explore the cranium that gave audiences Krampus, Trick ‘r Treat, and Godzilla: King of the Monsters with Michael Dougherty Selects (UK/IRE/US/CA). As audiences await the next nightmare to come forth from his imagination, Dougherty took some to look through the ARROW dungeons and shine a light on the films that reminded him of his childhood.
“Back when I was a kid it wasn’t easy to get your fix of underground cult movies. If you were lucky, you might’ve had one local theater or a drive-in with the balls to screen these gems, or maybe you had a friend whose parents let them rent whatever they wanted from the video store. Now, in an era where corporate streaming services dominate the entertainment landscape, it seems there are even less options for those of us who love movies that are a little rougher around the edges; movies that might not be as slick and polished as their big multiplex counterparts, but are nonetheless just as important and valuable — if not more so. Watching these films is like being placed in the hands of madmen who could give a fuck what the suits want and would rather go out guns blazing in order to provide an experience that might be horrifying, revolting, and maybe even morally questionable, but they’re raw, unfiltered, and generally awesome.”
Titles Include: One Missed Call, Basket Case, Mako: Jaws of Death.
The blood flow continues October 4 with three treats exclusively for North American subscribers.
Bad Biology (US/CAN): For his first film in 17 years, splatter master Frank Henenlotter returned with the most graphic, transgressive and jaw-droppingly depraved black comedy shocker of his career: Jennifer is a homicidal nymphomaniac who spontaneously births mutant babies. Batz has a monstrous penis with a mind of its own. Will these two made-for-each-other freaks deliver the ultimate orgasmic horror?
Curtains (US/CAN): John Vernon (CHAINED HEAT, National Lampoon’s ANIMAL HOUSE) and Samantha Eggar (THE BROOD, THE EXTERMINATOR) star in this horror classic from the golden age of the slasher genre. A group of women gather for a weekend casting call at the secluded mansion of director Jonathan Stryker (Vernon). Unfortunately, a crazed killer in a disgusting “hag” mask is viciously murdering everyone one by one.
Zombie Holocaust (US/CAN): It sparked riots on 42nd Street, spawned a generation of gorehounds on VHS and forever set an insane standard for Italian zombie/cannibal carnage worldwide: Ian McCulloch (ZOMBIE), Alexandra Delli Colli (THE NEW YORK RIPPER), Sherry Buchanan (TENTACLES) and Donald O’Brien (EMANUELLE AND THE LAST CANNIBALS) star in this unabashed EuroTrash orgy of gut-munching, eyeball-gouging and face-chopping.
On October 11, knock on two doors for a taste of ARROW.
Trick? (UK/IRE/US/CA): Oops! You knocked on a nasty door. No sweets and candy for you, but instead a choice of plenty of Tricks. Be brave and pick a scary short film with a sting in the tail. After all, it’s Halloween. Everyone’s entitled to one good scare.
Titles Include: The Monkey’s Paw, The Wyrm of Bwlch Pen Barras, Death Walks on Nitrate.
Treat? (UK/IRE/US/CA): Phew! You knocked on a nice door. Hold out your bucket, we have some Treats for you – a big handful of short films full of fun, laughs and — you got us — maybe the odd gallon of blood too.
Titles Include: Bark, Keith, Bad Acid.
Also on October 11, go back to the 70s with a pair of films more disturbing than any acid trip.
Messiah of Evil (US/CAN): A woman arrives in a sleepy seaside town after receiving unsettling letters from her father, only to discover the town is under the influence of a strange cult that weeps tears of blood and hunger for human flesh.
The Psychic (US/CAN): It’s been called “amazing” (Oh, The Horror!), “classic” (The Geek Show) and “a magnificent film” (Diabolique Magazine). It remains writer/director Lucio Fulci’s ultimate giallo masterpiece: Jennifer O’Neill (SCANNERS) stars as a woman tormented by violent visions of past slayings. Or are they premonitions of murders still to come?
October 14 is ARROW’s ode to the 80s with a launch of classic nightmares for North American subscribers.
Creepshow 2 (US/CAN): Titans of terror George A. Romero and Stephen King deliver yet another selection of blood-curdling tales in Creepshow 2, the follow-up to the 1982 horror classic. In “Old Chief Wood’nhead”, a group of young hoodlums face retribution from an unlikely source after looting a local hardware store. Meanwhile, “The Raft” sees a group of horny teens wishing they’d read the warning signs first before taking a dip in a remote lake. Finally, an uptight businesswoman finds herself with some unwanted company following a hit-and-run incident in “The Hitch-hiker”. Retaining the same EC comic book flavor that made the original such a hit, Creepshow 2, this time directed by long-time Romero collaborator Michael Gornick, is a standout horror anthology from the minds of two of the genre’s master craftsmen.
House (US/CAN): In the original House, William Katt (Carrie) stars as Roger Cobb, a horror novelist struggling to pen his next bestseller. When he inherits his great aunt’s creaky old mansion, Roger decides that he might just have found the ideal place in which to get some writing done. Unfortunately, the house’s vindictive supernatural residents have other ideas…
House II: The Second Story (US/CAN): House II: The Second Story sees young Jesse (Arye Gross) moving into an old family mansion where his parents were mysteriously murdered years before. Plans for turning the place into a party pad are soon thwarted by the appearance of Jesse’s mummified Great Grandpa, his mystical crystal skull and the zombified cowboy who’ll stop at nothing to lay his hands on it!
Vamp (US/CAN): Two fraternity pledges head to a seedy part of town to find some entertainment for their college friends but are faced with bloodthirsty vampires!
Keith (Chris Makepeace, Meatballs) and AJ (Robert Rusler, A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge) want to make the right impression at college and so they devise a plan to get them into the best frathouse on campus. They head to the After Dark Club where they want to find a stripper for a party their friends won’t forget, instead they find themselves among vampires led by Kinky Katrina (Grace Jones, A View to a Kill)!
Delivering laughs and scares in equal measure, with the added bonus of vampy sex appeal, Vamp is a comedy horror romp with real bite!
The Stuff (US/CAN): Are you eating it…or is it eating you? The Stuff is the new dessert taking supermarket shelves by storm. It’s delicious, low in calories and – better still – doesn’t stain the family carpet… What’s not to like?! Well, for a start it has a life of its own, and we’re not talking friendly live bacteria… Young Jason seems to be the only one who doesn’t love The Stuff – in fact he won’t go anywhere near it, after having seen the pudding crawling around the fridge one night. What’s more, everyone who eats The Stuff has started acting really weird… Grab a spoon and dig on into The Stuff – the taste that delivers… much more than you bargained for!
On October 18, pick apart the mind of a festival programmer with Celluloid Screams Selects (UK/IRE/US/CA).
Celluloid Screams, North England’s premier annual horror film festival, celebrates the best in classic and contemporary cinema. This year’s event will run from the 24th to the 27th of October, and the Celluloid Screams team have scoured the ARROW vaults to handpick their fave Cult films in Celluloid Screams Selects.
Titles Include: The Endless, Hellraiser 2 and Blood and Black Lace.
On October 25, mini monsters are on the menu with a selection of creature shorts!
Werewolf (UK/IRE/US/CAN): A group of friends decides to play a casual game of Werewolf. Will they survive the night? Or will their secrets spill through the cracks of distrust and draw blood?
We Forgot About The Zombies (UK/IRE/US/CAN): The story of two friends who think they found the cure for zombie bites.
Blood Shed (UK/IRE/US/CAN): When Jack buys suspiciously cheap second-hand parts to build his dream shed, he and long-suffering wife Helen find they’ve got more than they bargained for: a killer shed with an appetite for blood.
Strange Creatures (UK/IRE/US/CAN): Desperate to see her brother again, a young woman visits the site of his death.
On October 28, prepare for the big day with J-Horror Rising (UK/IRE/US/CA)
Vengeful ghosts returning from beyond the grave, young women with supernatural abilities, investigative narratives, a terror of technology, and an ominous aura of urban alienation and isolation mark the wave of horror and mystery films that emerged in Japan at the turn of the millennium, collectively labeled as “J-Horror”.
Remastered from the best available elements and alongside a host of new and archival extras, J-Horror Rising presents seven of the genre’s most distinctive titles.
In the ghostly pastoral horror of Shikoku, a young woman returns after many years to her rural birthplace, only to find her best friend from childhood has died by drowning when just sixteen. The dead girl’s mother, the local Shintoist priestess, has embarked on the region’s famous pilgrimage – but why is she walking backwards?
The aftermath of the devastating Kobe Earthquake of 1995 creates fissures in the already fractured mind of a high-school girl in Isola: Multiple Personality Girl, allowing an unwelcome intruder to set up home in her head and leaving a volunteer worker with psychic powers to determine which of her personas is the fake one.
Shikoku also provides the mystical backdrop to Inugami, as a teacher from Tokyo finds himself drawn to a local papermaker, only to find himself the subject of some hostility from her extended family, who have long ties to the region and are rumored to be the descendants of the guardians of ancient evil canine spirits.
Megumi Okina (Ju-On: The Grudge) plays the art designer for a horror-themed video game in the innovative St. John’s Wort, who is forced to confront her childhood traumas when her colleagues ask her to gather visual materials from the creepy gothic mansion she has inherited from her estranged artist father.
Carved: The Slit-Mouthed Woman features the titular predatory murderess drawn from urban legend, where it turns out home isn’t the safest place for her potential child victims in this disturbing supernatural horror.
A new craze for wearing ceramic masks sweeps the students of a high school, unleashing a wave of anonymous juvenile delinquency amongst the literal fashion-victims of Persona, which boasts early appearances from Battle Royale stars Tatsuya Fujiwara and Chiaki Kuriyama.
Last but not least, the chilling Noroi: The Curse adopts a pseudo-documentary format as an investigative reporter into paranormal phenomena is forced to confront horrors beyond his wildest imagination after learning about an ancient folkloric demon.
Titles Include: Carved: The Slit-Mouthed Woman, Shikoku, Isola: Multiple Personality Girl, Inugami, Noroi: The Curse, St. John’s Wort.
