If Steelkrill Studio’s The Stairway 7 got you itching for more anomaly horror, then Pixelsplit and Daedalic Entertainment have that “more” for you with their first-person anomaly and observation horror title, Shift 87. And you won’t have to wait long for it, as the game arrives on Steam on July 23.
Shift 87 has you working for NORN Corp., where your job is a simple one: testing out the company’s latest disruptive technology through three levels of “handcrafted, highly atmospheric environments.” That involves navigating your way through the procedurally-generated environment, noting any strange sights.
Unlike The Stairway 7, you’re not in any (immediate) danger when it comes to inaccurate reporting of discrepancies. However, accuracy is important, as incorrect reports lead to a “reset of the sequence.” Shift 87 short playthrough of 2-3 hours, but you’ll have 66 possible anomalies to note, with you obtaining a secret ending if you find all of them. Half of the anomalies may be creepy, but easy to spot – the other half are “more subtle and easy to miss.”
Feeding on your paranoia, Shift 87 requires players to “remain calm” if they become frustrated, in case you overlook inconsistencies and your shift takes longer. “Excessive levels of adrenaline, noradrenaline or cortisol could lead to permanent damage.”