《恐怖故事：飢餓者》（英文名稱：Horror Tales: The Beggar，日文名稱：《Horror Tales：飢える者》）是由西班牙的Carlos Coronado開發、並以個人獨立製作形式推出的第一人稱心理恐怖冒險遊戲，2024年在Steam上市，隔年在PS5發行。《Horror Tales》系列的最新篇章，延續系列一貫的孤獨感與壓迫氛圍，透過極具張力的場景設計與象徵性劇情，打造出關於恐懼、飢餓與人性崩潰的極端旅程。

故事背景設定在一個遭逢末日災難後的歐洲小島上，主角是一位無名旅人，在荒廢的都市與破碎的世界中尋找糧食與生存的真相。世界已經崩壞，人類文明幾乎滅絕，而曾經的科學、宗教與人倫秩序也早已支離破碎。在前進途中會逐步發現，有一股神秘的力量──被稱為「飢餓者」的存在，正吞噬著所有倖存者的理智與靈魂。它是某種象徵，也是實質威脅，無所不在地監視著你、追逐著你，使整段旅程充滿一種令人窒息的焦躁感，最終解開世界荒廢及本身像怪獸的外表之謎。

操作以第一人稱為主，結合探索、解謎與驚嚇機制，並強調極簡界面與環境敘事。需要在沒有太多資源的狀況下穿越破碎的建築、殘存的地下設施、淹沒的城市街道。場景互動性強，許多門鎖、機械設備或密碼機關都需要仔細觀察與推理來破解。不設傳統戰鬥系統，取而代之的是逃跑、潛行與機智躲避。每當「飢餓者」現身，便需立刻尋找藏身處或使用環境道具干擾其行動，還可以用超能力改變日夜。一旦被發現，極高的死亡懲罰將會重返較早的存檔點，增添緊張感與壓迫氛圍。

聲音設計是本作的一大亮點。大量使用低頻音效與環境回音營造恐懼氛圍，呼吸聲、腳步聲、遠方傳來的嘶吼交織出幾乎實體化的壓力。搭配細緻的光影變化與鏡頭視覺錯亂設計，成功讓玩家進入近乎精神崩潰的沉浸狀態。部分場景甚至會出現「視覺幻覺」，讓玩家產生對空間方向與現實的懷疑，進一步強化遊戲的心理恐怖效果。

從玩家與媒體的市場評價來看，收穫不少正面回饋。許多評論指出，本作雖然是小型獨立作品，但在氛圍營造與敘事層次上表現相當成熟。IGN稱其為「一場低成本但極具野心的末日心理冒險」，Eurogamer則特別讚揚其環境敘事與音效表現堪比主流3A恐怖遊戲。Steam平台上的玩家多數給予「大多好評」或「極度好評」的評價，認為這款遊戲非常適合喜愛壓迫式探索與敘事恐怖的玩家。當然，也有一些批評指出遊戲節奏過慢，缺乏引導，對於不擅長環境觀察與解謎的玩家而言可能較為吃力。

總結來說，《恐怖故事：飢餓者》是兼具哲學意涵與感官壓迫的恐怖作品。它不像傳統恐怖遊戲那樣依賴突發驚嚇（jump scare），而是透過緩慢深入的精神瓦解與環境失衡感，讓人對於「飢餓」這一主題產生更深層的反思與恐懼。如果偏好敘事導向、心理驚悚、以及帶有末日風格的沉浸式作品，那麼這會是2025年最值得體驗的獨立恐怖遊戲之一。

"Horror Tales: The Beggar" (Japanese title: Horror Tales：飢える者) is a first-person psychological horror adventure developed independently by Spanish creator Carlos Coronado. Initially released on Steam in 2024 and later brought to the PlayStation 5 in 2025, the game marks the latest chapter in the Horror Tales series. Staying true to the franchise’s hallmark themes of isolation and oppressive atmosphere, this installment presents a deeply symbolic narrative, plunging players into a harrowing journey exploring hunger, fear, and the collapse of humanity.

Set in a post-apocalyptic European island, the story follows an unnamed drifter navigating through a devastated cityscape in search of food and the truth behind survival. The world has already fallen — civilization is shattered, and once-revered pillars like science, religion, and morality have crumbled. As players progress, they gradually uncover the looming presence of an ominous force known only as “The Beggar.” This entity, simultaneously metaphorical and real, feeds on the minds and souls of survivors. It stalks and surveils the protagonist throughout the game, instilling a pervasive sense of dread and anxiety. As the journey continues, players will slowly unravel the mystery behind the world's ruin — and the monstrous nature of their own form.

Gameplay is designed around first-person perspective, combining exploration, puzzle-solving, and tension-driven survival. The interface is minimalist, relying heavily on environmental storytelling rather than exposition. Resources are scarce, and players must traverse derelict buildings, flooded streets, and forgotten underground tunnels. The game notably lacks a traditional combat system; instead, it emphasizes stealth, evasion, and smart use of the environment. Encounters with “The Beggar” trigger high-stakes chase sequences where players must hide, distract, or use their surroundings creatively to survive. A unique mechanic allows players to manipulate time between day and night, further adding a strategic element to navigation and survival. Getting caught leads to significant punishment, often forcing a return to earlier checkpoints, intensifying the game’s already high-pressure pacing.

Sound design is one of the game's standout elements. The use of deep, droning frequencies, ambient echoes, and layered breathing and footsteps crafts a thick, visceral tension. Distant growls and distorted soundscapes create a nearly tangible sense of dread. Combined with erratic lighting and visual distortion effects — such as spatial hallucinations and disorienting camera shifts — the game creates a nearly claustrophobic psychological experience. Players often feel as though they’re losing their grip on reality, mirroring the mental descent of the protagonist.

Reception from players and critics has been largely positive. Despite being a small-scale indie title, Horror Tales: The Beggar has been praised for its mature execution of narrative and atmosphere. IGN described it as “a low-budget but highly ambitious psychological descent into a ruined world,” while Eurogamer lauded its environmental storytelling and sound design, comparing it favorably to major AAA horror titles. On Steam, user reviews have leaned toward “Very Positive” and “Overwhelmingly Positive,” with many players appreciating the game’s commitment to immersive, slow-burn psychological horror. That said, some criticism has been leveled at the game’s pacing and lack of handholding, which may pose challenges for players unfamiliar with puzzle-heavy, observation-driven exploration.

In conclusion, Horror Tales: The Beggar is a compelling blend of philosophical depth and sensory horror. It diverges from conventional horror tropes, choosing to eschew cheap jump scares in favor of gradual mental breakdown and atmospheric imbalance. Its themes of hunger — physical, psychological, existential — serve as both narrative driver and emotional weight. For players who favor narrative-heavy, post-apocalyptic psychological thrillers, this is undoubtedly one of the most thought-provoking indie horror experiences of 2025.