Exploring Horror and Automation in Beyond the Doors
“Horror” and “automation” are concepts that are typically seen in fiery essays about late capitalism, but not often together in videogame marketing blurbs. Beyond the Doors, a game released this year with an alpha demo on Steam, challenges this notion by combining horror elements with automation gameplay.
In Beyond the Doors, players take on the role of a lonely greasemonkey working in the basement of a dreary apartment building. The objective is to spy on neighbors by setting up surveillance devices near their doors and sending recordings of their activities to a mysterious requester.
The game presents a challenging experience with its cumbersome interface design and intricate tasks. Players must daisy-chain devices, input codes, save files using DOS commands, and analyze them on their computer. All the while, there is a sense of unease as players navigate the eerie apartment block filled with neglect and mystery.
As players progress, they can upgrade their surveillance network using earnings from each job, adding a layer of strategy to the gameplay. The developers, Dream Error, promise more content and features in the future, making Beyond the Doors an evolving and immersive experience.
While the demo only scratches the surface of the game’s potential, the combination of horror elements and automation gameplay sets Beyond the Doors apart from traditional games in the genre. It’s a unique and intriguing experience that is best enjoyed with a sense of curiosity and a willingness to embrace the unknown.
