The independent developer, Affordable Cat, announced its nostalgic survival horror game, “Loggerhead,” back in September 2022.
Although an official release date is yet to be disclosed, Affordable Cat is committed to delivering a classic experience, and what better way to deliver on such promises than by giving players a taste of Loggerhead, via a free game demo that lasts around 20-30 minutes, accessible on both Steam and Itch.io.
The Loggerhead Prologue Demo immerses players in a low-fi VHS aesthetic, reminiscent of classic horror titles. Embracing Survival Horror throwbacks such as the original Resident Evil and Silent Hill games.
Loggerhead features tank controls, fixed camera angles, limited resources, over the top Australian stereotyping and of course glorious cringe-worthy voice acting that pays homage to a much simpler time.
Players can opt to play as one of the two main characters, Daryl (Dazza) and Sharon (Shazza) with both characters having a difference in stats and will have alternative endings, as you navigate, solve puzzles, and confront ghoul / zombie like enemies dubbed Loggerheads.
Throughout, the game fearlessly incorporates Australia’s 1980s cultural themes and humor alongside cultural references for Australian players to recognize in the forms of durries, tinnies and much more.
Set in 1985, Loggerhead unfolds after the Australian Government closes the Boggarogga Creek campsite due to a string of brutal murders. Despite the warnings and closure, visitors, including Daryl and Sharon, arrive for a weekend camping trip with friends. Predictably, the duo becomes stranded, isolated as you’re plunged into a night of terrifying horrors and puzzles galore.
The game is incredibly cheesy, given that Loggerhead is set during the mid 1980’s it certainly feels and sounds like a genuine B Movie from the time period, with the single developer, Chris Willis being influenced quite heavily from earlier Resident Evil and Silent Hill titles, his pursuit to recapture that nostalgia is as clear as day.
Loggerhead is a passion project made by a singular individual, nevertheless it’s a fun little retro survivor horror game in the making filled with humorous dialogue, references with a retro synth soundtrack to match the VHS visual effect to boot.
Loggerhead is Australia’s answer to Resident Evil and I cannot wait to experience the whole game.
