Of the many genres in gaming available for players to choose from, possibly one of the more difficult to get into is horror, not necessarily because it's inaccessible or too challenging but rather because of the fact that horror games are meant to be scary by definition. While some may find gleeful joy in anticipating the terrors around every corner, other gamers may not enjoy crossing paths with things that go bump in the night. For this reason, if franchises like Resident Evil prove to be too intense for novice players in the horror genre, then Bendy and the Ink Machine is a great alternative to become more accustomed to what this style of game can bring.
Originally released over the course of 2017 in five episodic chapters, Bendy and the Ink Machine is an indie horror game that drew inspiration from classic Walt Disney cartoons as well as the BioShock franchise, both in terms of visual aesthetic and gameplay design. It's a twisted interpretation of what would happen if otherwise playful animated characters turned evil. This slightly charming aspect balances out the more disturbing elements of the experience, and with some light puzzle-solving and decent exploration elements, this title is a solid entry point for players wanting to dip their toes into horror.
Bendy and the Ink Machine - Just The Right Amount of Scary
Bendy and the Ink Machine is a twisted take on the more tuneful drawings seen in classic cartoons. It follows the same general idea of reworking this visual style that Cuphead did, however, it leans far more into the gruesome and macabre. Environments are all a brown, palette, imitating the color scheme of these older cartoons. Puddles of gooey ink leak from the ceiling, stretch across the floor and make what's an otherwise harmless liquid evoke feelings of terror whenever it's present onscreen.
However, even though the enemies the player will face, and the areas the player traverses are all unsettling, it's never to a point that's unbearably overwhelming. The creatures are horrific, yes, but they do still carry a design that is reminiscent of old cartoons, bringing in an odd layer of charm as well. This familiar feeling of comforting cartoonish antics helps alleviate the otherwise monstrous threats, unlike a franchise such as Silent Hill that would relish in throwing as much freakish imagery at the player as possible.
Bendy and the Ink Machine - Introduction to Horror Mechanics
Whether it's Resident Evil Village or Amnesia: Rebirth, there are a certain set of tried and true conventions and mechanics that players expect going into a horror game. For one, there is a deliberately slow pace in some areas, encouraging the player to explore dark, dreary locations to build unease and suspense. Secondly, horror games let the player discover information naturally in the environment itself, learning the "dos" and "don'ts" of that particular game world. This all helps gamers become more immersed in the experience, and makes it even easier for the game itself to deliver the scares.
It helps that Bendy and the Ink Machine is very similar to games like the aforementioned Resident Evil Village in terms of structure and pacing, but it's on a much smaller scale. This is not a criticism of the game, as it actually works in its favor to keep things moving at a nice flow, while also being digestible enough for players new to horror titles. There are jump scares, but nothing as traumatizing as what is seen in Outlast. The atmosphere is thick but nowhere near as dreadful as the terror experienced in Soma. It all culminates in a spooky but accessible set of thrills for those with an interest to get into horror gaming.
Bendy and the Ink Machine is available now on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Linux, Nintendo Switch, as well as Android and iOS devices.