Disclosure: I was provided with a review copy of this game, All opinions in this review are my own and have not been influenced or altered in any way by the developers.
Flesh Made Fear feels like a time capsule from the late 90s, capturing the essence of survival horror’s golden era. Developed by Tainted Pact and published by Assemble Entertainment, the game releases on October 31, 2025 for PC via Steam, with console versions being considered for the future.
Bringing back fixed camera angles, tank controls, limited ammo, and a deliberate, nerve-wracking pace, Flesh Made Fear instantly recalls Resident Evil, Dino Crisis, and Silent Hill. But unlike many modern throwbacks, this one doesn’t just imitate the classics, it fully embraces what made them memorable.
Gameplay and Atmosphere
Set in the haunting, decaying town of Rotwood, Flesh Made Fear throws you into a world that feels unsettlingly believable. The lighting and sound design work together to create a feeling of constant unease, creaking floors, flickering bulbs, and that dreadful silence that makes you wonder if something is waiting just beyond view.
The game’s pacing is deliberate. You move slowly, every decision carries weight, and enemies are relentless. Combat is tight and demanding, not because of clumsy design, but because it wants you to feel vulnerable. That’s where it succeeds most, making you uncomfortable in the best way possible.
Where many modern horror games rely on loud, scripted moments, Flesh Made Fear thrives on tension. It reminds me of how early Capcom horror used to feel before the genre shifted toward over-the-shoulder action. This is survival horror as it was meant to be, patient, punishing, and deeply atmospheric.
Comparison to the Classics
If Resident Evil perfected the art of survival under pressure, Flesh Made Fear channels that same sense of dread and control. Limited resources, locked doors, and a constant feeling of isolation define its core design. Like Dino Crisis, the enemy encounters are fast and unpredictable, forcing you to act under pressure rather than plan in comfort.
From Silent Hill, it borrows a sense of mood and emotional dread. Rotwood isn’t surreal like Silent Hill’s twisted alternate world, but it carries a similar melancholy, a quiet despair that seeps through its environments. It’s horror rooted in tone rather than spectacle.
What makes Flesh Made Fear stand out is how it merges these influences without feeling derivative. It’s not a clone of the old PlayStation era, it’s a modern continuation of what those games started. It takes their DNA and rebuilds it with modern fidelity and direction, staying authentic while pushing forward.
Presentation and Sound
Visually, the game finds a perfect balance between retro and modern. Fixed camera angles return, but the framing feels cinematic rather than restrictive. Lighting plays a huge role in atmosphere, and while the textures keep that slightly gritty aesthetic, everything feels cohesive and intentional.
The voice acting and soundtrack help sell the tone, subdued, eerie, and occasionally camp in that classic 90s horror way. The ambient music builds tension without overstating it, and the environmental sounds often do more to scare you than any jump cut ever could.
While some dialogue moments are straightforward and a few story beats feel familiar, the execution is strong enough to make it work. It’s clear the developers understand what they’re paying tribute to, and when to let silence and pacing do the storytelling.
Conclusion
It’s rare to find a game that’s this committed to recreating a genre’s soul without losing sight of modern expectations. Flesh Made Fear manages to feel nostalgic without feeling dated. It captures the discipline of Resident Evil, the intensity of Dino Crisis, and the oppressive atmosphere of Silent Hill, yet still feels like its own creation.
That said, the tank controls are really hard to get back into, especially for players who have grown used to modern movement systems. They feel clunky by today’s standards, but it’s clear this was an intentional design choice, a homage to the roots of survival horror rather than a flaw. The developer wanted players to experience tension through precision and commitment, and in that sense, it works.
Some players might find the slower pacing and dated control style a challenge, but for those who appreciate old-school design, it’s exactly what makes it shine. Flesh Made Fear is a love letter to the origins of the genre. It’s atmospheric, unnerving, and completely unafraid to challenge players with deliberate mechanics and genuine tension.
If Resident Evil and Silent Hill defined your childhood, Flesh Made Fear might just remind you why you fell in love with survival horror in the first place.
Visit the Steam page for Flesh Made Fear here.
Score: 8/10