MeinMMO author Maik Schneider had a Super Nintendo and some games that were actually too dark for little Maik since his early childhood. When he saw the new trailer for Hidden Deep (Steam), he couldn’t help but think of the game that gave him the worst nightmares of his life: Alien 3.
Hidden Deep transports you to an underwater complex – part mining, part research facility. You are to investigate why contact with the local researchers has been lost.
To do this, you explore the large facility at your own pace, have to find the right way, solve puzzles, and keep unpleasant enemies from tasting your insides.
The game is still in Early Access on Steam and received the latest update “Kill it With Fire” featuring flamethrowers as weapons and additional content. Here’s a brief content overview:
- 3 new levels
- NPCs
- New weapons
- New enemies
- Visual enhancements
On Steam, the developers call Hidden Deep a “2D sci-fi thriller”. If you ask me, it’s more of a nightmare template that reminds me of the darkest hours of my childhood.
Hidden Deep is like Alien 3 on Super Nintendo
I was 6, just came from my first day of school, and ripped open my gifts in the kids’ room. There was a game for the SNES – there’s even a blurry video of me beaming with joy holding my new game: Alien 3.
It should be the last time I laughed because of a game.
Alien 3 on SNES runs on the same principle as Hidden Deep does now. However, instead of being underwater, I found myself in a spaceship.
The story is not linear, and I can choose where to go first in the 2D world – do I go left, right, or directly into the ventilation system, which takes me to different areas.
Ammunition is scarce, and the enemies are numerous. And of course, a nasty alien could come around the corner at any time. Alien 3 was brutally difficult and not only defeated me – it broke me as a 6-year-old.
If you want to take a look at the first level of Alien 3 on SNES, you can find a suitable video here (via youtube.com).
For weeks, I had nightmares that I could still describe today. I never really got far, I was just glad when I could see a new area. Everything was evil, nasty, hard to kill, and absolutely unsuitable for someone who just started first grade.
However, Alien 3 was also innovative with its semi-open world in 2D style and managed to create a claustrophobic atmosphere that promises suspense to this day.
And Hidden Deep uses exactly the mechanics that ensured that little Maik couldn’t sleep alone in a room for weeks.
For fans of well-crafted horror action, I can recommend Hidden Deep. Don’t be put off by the somewhat simple graphics; for just around €20, you get an exciting 2D adventure that you can even play with your friends – on the couch or via remote play.
If you are generally always on the lookout for scary adventures that you can experience together, then check here: The 5 best horror games in multiplayer for PC, PS4, and Xbox One 2022
