A Homage That Explores Your Emotions
Resident Evil and Silent Hill were two defining horror games of the Sixth Generation era, paving the way for others to follow in the years ahead. Each of these respected franchises offered a unique atmosphere and world while challenging players’ critical thinking skills and survival instincts. From those early days through the Seventh Generation and into today, many have wondered what a game would be like if it blended both concepts. Heartworm may be the closest we’ve come to that answer.
I say “closest” because Heartworm not only borrows from Resident Evil and Silent Hill, but also draws inspiration from a variety of other titles. Yet, it would be a mistake to dismiss it as merely a hodgepodge of PlayStation nostalgia. While its influences are obvious on the surface, beneath lies a dark odyssey into one person’s grief and the memories they’ve tried so hard to bury.
Down the Rabbit Hole
Sam is an aspiring photographer still struggling to move on from the loss of her beloved grandfather. Desperate for answers she cannot find, she falls down an online rabbit hole chasing the promise of reuniting with him. Guided by a mysterious forum, she discovers a remote mountain house rumored to be a bridge between the living and the dead. Yet, those who have entered its doors have never returned. Believing she has no other choice, Sam ventures into the house and descends into a world shaped by her deepest grief and lingering sorrow.
Emotionally recovering from the loss of a close family member is never easy, and some take it harder than others. Especially when we regret not spending more time with them or when they were the center of our world. Sometimes, our fixation on who we imagined them to be can distort our understanding of both them and the world around us. These are the themes Heartworm explores through Sam’s descent into the archives of her torment. While the journey is deeply relatable, everyone’s grief is different, making its emotional impact entirely subjective. Still, it remains a beautifully crafted exploration of loss, memory, and confronting the legacy of those we’ve loved.
Survive the Decent
If you’ve ever played a survival horror game on the original PlayStation, much of this will feel familiar. Players must explore each section of the map to find keys and clues needed to solve puzzles. Otherworldly enemies wander the environment, and the only way to defeat them is by capturing their image. With limited inventory space, players need to be smart about what they carry. Film (a stand-in for ammunition) and health packs are scarce, so every resource must be used carefully and strategically. Additionally, the inventory and map UI closely resemble Resident Evil, making it easy for fans to jump in and understand the gameplay.
Puzzles are a key element of survival horror games, and Heartworm is no exception. To solve them, players must carefully explore their surroundings and search for clues. This includes reading scattered notes for hints and finding keys that unlock access to new areas. Don’t leave any corner unchecked; overlooking even the smallest detail could mean missing a vital piece of the puzzle.
Heartworm takes a unique approach from the start by acknowledging that not everyone is familiar with the classic tank-control setup. As someone whose first survival horror game was Resident Evil 2 on the N64, I can attest that tank controls are challenging to master. It’s one of the few gameplay elements I struggle to readjust to after stepping away for a while. That’s why I commend Vincent Adinolfi for offering players the choice between modern controls and traditional tank controls.
Exploring the Archives
Right from the start, Heartworm grabs your attention with its striking visual design. It perfectly captures the look and feel of a PlayStation-era game while blending in modern gameplay elements. Many of us look back fondly on that era, but we often forget that those games had their share of flaws and game development has evolved significantly over the past 30 years. A quality game that aims to recreate that nostalgic feeling must also recognize that not every aspect is worth preserving.
Beyond its surface level elements lies a narrative rich experience that explores grief and the emotional toll of loss. It does this on multiple fronts through its storytelling, atmospheric design, and haunting soundtrack. Every aspect of the game is crafted to help players connect with Sam on an emotional level while also tapping into their own personal experiences with loss. For me, this emotional resonance stands out as one of Heartworm’s defining cornerstones.
This isn’t just another indie game inspired by Resident Evil or Silent Hill on the PS1. Instead, it feels like a blended homage to nearly every major horror title from the past. Beyond the usual genre staples, it incorporates elements from Fatal Frame, S.T.A.L.K.E.R., and even Sweet Home. My takeaway from all of this is that Vincent Adinolfi clearly has a deep love for horror games. However, such a broad mix can be a double-edged sword when bringing a vision to life. On one hand, I genuinely enjoy the callbacks and obvious nods to the classics. Plus, I see them as an introduction for gamers who have not played them. On the other hand, not all these elements blend seamlessly, and the result sometimes feels like an artistic turducken.
Finding the Answers
Heartworm is not just a love letter to classic horror games, but an odyssey through loss and the emotional toll of grief. On the surface, it has all the hallmarks of a classic PlayStation horror game, yet it also incorporates lessons learned from 30 years of game development. Beneath the surface, it explores overcoming the pain that comes with loss and how our memories of the past can differ from reality. It creates a world rich with dark secrets, yet buried beneath our perception of the present moment.
Disclaimer: The publisher, through a PR representative, provided the game used for this review.
This review is the critique and thoughts of one writer. If you want to see how other critics felt, then check it out on OpenCritic.
8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Heartworm (PC)
Pros
- Having the option to play with tank controls or modern controls.
- Visual design choices that capture the feeling of a PS1 game.
- Narrative experience that explores grief and the emotional toll of loss.
- It’s overall a love letter to horror games.
Cons
- The mix of inspiration does not always work in some moments.
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Stan Rezaee is the founder and Editor of 8Bit/Digi. He is a journalist and gamer from the Bay Area who has been writing about the medium for over five years.
