Back in 2019, Invader Studios released a Resident-Evil- inspired horror game known as Daymare 1998, managing to cultivate a lot of attention for the game's mix of creepy zombies, tense third-person shooting, and resource management. Today, Invader Studios revealed that a follow-up is on its way, with Daymare 1994: Sandcastle slated to debut next year on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
IGN revealed an announcement trailer for the game while further details were provided via Steam, with both sources confirming that the game will come loaded with haunting monsters to face. As the game's title suggests, Daymare 1994: Sandcastle will be a prequel to the events of the first game, seeing players step into the shoes of special agent Dalila Reyes. The character works for a private military corporation known as HADES, which was first introduced during the events of Daymare 1998.
This time around, players will be tasked with entering the "most advanced experimental research center in the United States of America," with Invader Studios teasing that the undead-filled laboratory will house plenty of terrifying entities for the player to battle. Several characters from the first game will allegedly make a return in the prequel, with the Steam page hinting that Daymare 1994 will offer an insight into their origins and how they came to play a part in Daymare 1998's story.
Although it seems the Resident-Evil- style combat and resource management will return for the follow-up, the Steam page teases some additions, including a revamp to the interface, a scanner to help with puzzles, and the ability to use liquid nitrogen as a weapon. Invader Studios even teases that it will be implementing a new mechanic to keep players on their toes, with enemies killed by the player able to return in more powerful forms once they've been put down. The page doesn't explain too much about the feature, but it looks as though it'll add an extra layer of challenge to backtracking.
As for the announcement trailer itself, it confirms the game will continue to offer the grim atmosphere of the original. The footage centers around a mysterious orb that emerges from the body of a dead zombie, with the item floating through the game's dilapidated research facility. As it travels, it draws electricity from the lab's various cables, panels, and lights, eventually gliding past Dalila Reyes as she powers up her HADES gear and begins following it.
The climax of the trailer sees Reyes come face to face with a new breed of the undead, as a giant mass of flesh and tentacles attaches itself to a regular zombie, sending electricity coursing through it. The prequel already looks to be an intriguing follow-up to the original game and one to watch in the months to come.
Daymare 1994: Sandcastle is slated to launch in 2022 for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
Source: IGN, Steam, Invader Studios