《錄像怪談》（Dead Format）是由蘇格蘭獨立開發者Katanalevy（本名Chris Evry）製作、Oro Interactive發行的生存恐怖遊戲，將於2025年12月10日在 PC（Steam）平台正式發售。以1990年代的蘇格蘭為背景，玩家扮演一位焦急的兄弟姐妹，追尋在迷上神秘VHS格式錄影帶後離奇失蹤的兄弟，揭開政府封禁「錄像惡靈」（Video Ghastlies）的陰謀，並探索錄影帶背後隱藏的恐怖世界。靈感來源於經典恐怖電影，從默片時代到1970至1980年代的意大利血腥犯罪片（Giallo）、肉體恐怖電影，甚至拾得錄像（Found Footage）風格的作品，將電影史上各個標誌性恐怖流派與生存冒險結合，營造出獨特的沉浸式恐怖體驗。

劇情方面，以主角對失蹤兄弟的追尋為核心。需要沿著兄弟留下的VHS錄影帶線索，逐步探索每個錄影帶內部的恐怖世界，每個世界皆有不同的敵人、謎題與首領戰，充滿危險與不可預測性。玩家的公寓是行動中心，在這裡可以整理收集到的線索、補給資源並規劃下一步行動。透過電視播放VHS錄影帶，玩家得以進入不同電影化世界，從而揭示事件背後的真相。遊戲中呈現的錄影帶既是遊戲的互動道具，也是敘事媒介，每一卷錄影帶都提供獨特視角，模糊虛構與現實的界限，使玩家如同身歷其境般感受錄像帶帶來的恐懼。

操作方面，採用第一人稱視角（FPP），結合探索、解謎、戰鬥和生存元素。需要在危險世界中搜尋物資維持生命，蒐集關鍵道具解開謎題，以開啟新的前進路線。武器與工具設計靈感多來自不同恐怖電影的元素，可以利用環境與手邊的資源對抗專屬敵人。只有在公寓中才能保存進度，強化經典生存恐怖的緊張感與策略性。每個世界的敵人、陷阱與首領戰皆具有獨特特性，要求玩家靈活應對，考驗觀察力與即時反應能力。

此外，本作是混合媒體遊戲。遊戲中的所有VHS錄影帶均由開發者親自錄製與剪輯，結合實拍影像與遊戲場景，讓玩家在互動中感受懷舊氛圍，也增加心理恐怖的張力。這些錄影帶不僅是推動劇情的關鍵道具，也帶來不斷的心理威脅——觀看錄影帶可能引發危險，遊戲中暗示有些東西本不該被記錄，如今卻正盯著玩家。

市場評價方面，由於遊戲尚未正式發售，目前主要來自預告片與開發者展示的反饋。《錄像怪談》被玩家與媒體視為生存恐怖與電影史致敬相結合的創新作品。玩家對其濃厚的90年代恐怖電影氛圍、結合VHS錄影帶的互動設計，以及逼真緊張的恐怖體驗表現出高度期待。遊戲將經典恐怖電影元素與生存冒險玩法融合，不僅提供探索、解謎和戰鬥的多樣挑戰，也通過獨特媒介方式呈現沉浸式敘事，使其在同類生存恐怖作品中極具競爭力。

整體而言，《錄像怪談》以復古電影為靈感、融合現代生存恐怖機制，呈現出一種新型態的恐怖遊戲體驗。玩家將在 VHS 錄影帶中穿梭於恐怖世界、面對噩夢般的敵人與謎題，追尋失蹤兄弟，探索政府隱秘陰謀，享受高度沉浸且充滿心理壓迫感的生存冒險。

Dead Format is a survival horror game developed by Scottish indie developer Katanalevy (real name Chris Evry) and published by Oro Interactive, set to release on December 10, 2025, for PC (Steam). The game takes place in 1990s Scotland, where players assume the role of a desperate sibling searching for their brother, who vanished after becoming obsessed with a mysterious VHS format. As players follow the trail left by the brother, they uncover the government’s conspiracy to ban “Video Ghastlies” and explore the terrifying worlds hidden within these cursed videotapes. The game draws heavy inspiration from classic horror cinema, spanning from the silent film era to 1970s–1980s Italian Giallo films, body horror movies, and found-footage-style films, blending iconic horror genres from cinematic history with survival adventure mechanics to create a uniquely immersive horror experience.

The story centers on the protagonist’s quest to find their missing brother. Players follow clues embedded in the VHS tapes to progressively explore each tape’s horror-filled world, each populated with unique enemies, puzzles, and boss encounters, filled with danger and unpredictability. The player’s apartment serves as a central hub, where collected clues and resources can be organized and plans for the next journey can be formulated. By playing the VHS tapes on the television, players gain access to different cinematic worlds, gradually unveiling the truth behind the events. The VHS tapes themselves act as both interactive tools and narrative devices; each tape offers a unique perspective, blurring the lines between fiction and reality, immersing players in the fear emanating from the recordings.

Gameplay is presented in a first-person perspective (FPP), combining exploration, puzzle-solving, combat, and survival mechanics. Players must scavenge for supplies to maintain health, gather key items to solve puzzles, and unlock new paths forward. Weapons and tools are inspired by elements drawn from various horror films, and players can use the environment and available resources to confront unique enemies. Progress can only be saved in the apartment, reinforcing classic survival horror tension and strategy. Each world’s enemies, traps, and boss fights are distinct, requiring players to adapt dynamically and test their observation skills and reflexes.

Additionally, Dead Format is a multimedia game. All VHS tapes in the game were recorded and edited by the developer, blending live-action footage with game environments. This design enhances the nostalgic atmosphere while amplifying psychological horror. The tapes are not merely narrative devices; they present constant psychological threats, as the game warns that some things should never have been recorded—and now they are watching the player.

Although the game has not yet been officially released, trailers and developer showcases have generated strong anticipation. Players and media consider Dead Format an innovative fusion of survival horror and homage to cinematic history. Its 1990s horror film aesthetic, interactive VHS-based gameplay, and intense, immersive terror have drawn high expectations. By combining classic horror movie elements with survival adventure mechanics, the game offers diverse challenges in exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat, while its unique multimedia approach provides a deeply immersive narrative, giving it a competitive edge among survival horror titles.

Overall, Dead Format channels retro film inspirations into a modern survival horror framework, delivering a fresh type of horror game experience. Players will traverse nightmarish worlds through cursed VHS tapes, face terrifying enemies and puzzles, search for the missing brother, uncover hidden government conspiracies, and engage in an intensely immersive and psychologically pressing survival adventure.