Wraith: The Oblivion - Afterlife

Most games have players avoiding death one way or another. Wraith: The Oblivion – Afterlife skips that entirely as the game compels players to solve the mystery of their own demise. This horror VR experience proves that virtual reality is more than a fad and can truly deliver some of the most spine-chilling moments ever created.

Developed by Fast Travel Games, Wraith is the studio’s first horror game, but it certainly isn’t their first foray into the realm of VR games. Their experience crafting VR experiences is in full display here, with Wraith possibly being one of the finest horror games on the medium.

True First-person Horror

In recent years, many classic horror franchises have been making a jump from a third-person perspective to a first-person one. We’ve seen it happen to Resident Evil with Resident Evil 7: Biohazard and to Silent Hill with P.T. But what motivates these games to jump on the FPS bandwagon?

Simply put, looking at things in a first-person mode is scarier. When it comes to first-person, nothing is more realistic than VR, and Wraith: The Oblivion – Afterlife understands this to a T.

When your character dies during a seance, you become a Wraith, a being that lives between worlds. You’re then tasked with solving the mystery behind your death, but you must also avoid the other restless spirits that haunt your place. This is a slow burn horror experience that doesn’t rely too much on cheap jumpscares, building an ominous atmosphere instead.

A World of Darkness

If the game’s title sounds like a mouthful, there’s a reason for that. This game is set in the World of Darkness: a shared universe that contains games like Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines, and Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Earthblood. It seems like long, convoluted names are a common naming convention in this universe.

Wraith takes place inside the Barclay Mansion: a massive, opulent building with a troubled history with the occult. Armed with your newfound Wraith abilities, players will be able to traverse the mansion’s gloomy rooms looking for clues and avoiding the deadly Spectres.

Spectres are the game’s main enemies: spirits of vengeance that dwell in the Barclay Mansion. Although their AI can be a bit basic, the threat they impose and how well they fit with the game’s art style is uncanny. The fact that you’ll also be facing these creatures in VR is another element that makes them even scarier than other horror enemies.

Visuals and Ambiance

While some textures lack polish, the game’s overall look is fantastic. Lightning effects, in particular, are the star of the show, with dark areas and dimly lit corridors oozing out insane levels of dread. Even an empty corridor can give you the chills, thanks to the game’s capable lightning engine.

If the visuals are great, then the audio is out of this world. The wailing of distant Spectres, and even small things like sudden noises in a quiet room, will keep you on your toes throughout the whole game. This is truly a horror game that never relents, and it might just be the definitive horror VR experience.

Pros:

• Immersive gameplay
• Great horror atmosphere that keeps you on your toes
• Amazing sound design
• Horror that doesn’t rely too much on jumpscares

Cons:

• Some cheap deaths
• Certain textures can look a bit blurry