Free first-person horror game
Never Apart by Al Heck is an indie horror game with a horrifying gruesome premise. Played from the first-person perspective, it leaves you stranded in the home of Darren Bar, a dead serial killer. The apartment loops in deranged ways, and Bar’s spirit is out to finish its mission of ending your life.
Plot-driven game
Inspired by Silent Hill and even more so by the P.T. demo, this game toys with your sanity as you play it. You take on the role of the serial killer’s sole surviving victim and find yourself in his home. As you’ll soon notice, the residence is acting strange—with repeating rooms that soon make you lose a sense of perspective, especially as you view it from the first-person POV.
There’s a whole lot of paranormal activity taking place inside, too. Darren wants to complete a ceremony, and that means killing you. You, on the other hand, only want to get out. Those are the only two possible endings to this little story.
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Immersive gameplay
Although you don’t do much in this game, it still manages to grip you with its atmosphere. The gameplay mechanics are little more than a walking simulator, but the jump scares and other gruesome events you’ll witness add tension to the gameplay.
As you’re walking around, you’re trying to find a way to exit the apartment and avoid the spirit haunting you. You’ll run into clues to help you fulfil your mission, and sometimes, you’ll also hear the radio—giving you further leads—so make sure you have your headphones on while you’re playing.
Realistic visuals
Most of the game’s terrifying quality comes from its hyper-realistic depictions of the apartment and all the paranormal activity happening inside it.
The sound design further aids the buildup, sending chills down your spine even when there’s little happening on your screen. There’s not even a time limit for exiting rooms. Yet, it manages to keep you at the edge of your seat.
A maddening experience
Overall, Never Apart is a fantastic example of an eerie game whose effects you’ll feel days after you’ve played it. Its well-developed storyline, the good blend of jumpscares and eerie silences, and immersive atmosphere engage you with the deranged world in seconds. If you’re a survival horror fan, it’s a must-try.
