Publisher Leonardo Interactive and developer Invader Studios have just announced Daymare: 1994 Sandcastle, the prequel to their 2019 release, Daymare:1998. It will be coming to PC and consoles in 2022.
Daymare: 1998, if you missed it, came from a team that started out working on “Resident Evil 2 Reborn”, a fan made remake of that iconic survival-horror game. Unsurprisingly, Capcom eventually shut down the project but it lived on as “Daymare: 1998”. The team even got assistance from Resident Evil 3: Nemesis director Kazuhiro Aoyama and long-time Resident Evil artist Satoshi Nakai.Daymare: 1998 generated considerable interest but ultimately received a mixed response. It was, perhaps unsurprisingly, most popular with fans of classic survival-horror games willing to overlook the limitations of a small development team trying to emulate a “AAA” project.
Daymare: 1994 Sandcastle is their second take on the classic formula, looking to find a perfect balance deadly enemies, hardcore mechanics, exploration, environmental puzzles, and horror. As a prequel, Daymare: 1994 Sandcastle puts you in the shoes of special agent Dalila Reyes, also a part of the H.A.D.E.S. organisation from their prior game. She enters an advanced experimental research center in the US only to encounter death and desolation within the labyrinthine structure. Over the course of the story-driven adventure, she’ll also discover key links to the events in Keen Sight four years later.
Some of Invader Studios promised features for this prequel look to entice back fans of the first game and correct several design decisions that didn’t go down well:
- New characters and big comebacks – Take part in the top secret “Sandcastle” mission as the game’s main protagonist, Special Agent H.A.D.E.S. Dalila Reyes, and reconstruct the past of some of Daymare: 1998’s most beloved characters.
- Lethal and terrifying enemies – Fight, kill and dismember the enemies that stand between you and your mission. But beware; these enemies are frighteningly intelligent, aggressive and realistic in every detail.
- Prepare to confront the toughest and most aggressive enemies you have ever seen. Even if you’re sure you’ve killed one, you’ll find out it can come back in a completely new form and be even deadlier than before!
- Revamped interface – The D.I.D. is back, though in a completely redesigned way. Manage your inventory, ammo and health items directly from the new, intuitive game interface.
- Environmental puzzles – The solution is often right in front of your eyes! Search for clues and overcome the environmental obstacles to obtain resources and collectibles.
- Breathtaking graphics, sound effects and soundtrack – Thanks to the power of Unreal Engine 4, you will live the most terrifying of experiences!
- Daymare: 1994 Sandcastle will feel like you’re living and playing an action horror/film from the 90s with familiar references and a frightfully authentic atmosphere with a retro flavor.
Daymare: 1998 was an acquired taste, but if you could look past several issues, it captured the classic Resident Evil experience in a way only the official Resident Evil 2 remake managed to surpass. If the official Capcom remasters caught your attention, give Daymare: 1998 a go and keep your eyes on their upcoming prequel.