Venture Into Darkness with “Welcome to Dustown”

“Welcome to Dustown” invites brave souls to team up and traverse the deeply unsettling maze of whispering cornfields. This 4-player cooperative horror game from Onze 8 Degrés promises spine-tingling thrills as you and your friends step into the shoes of field scientists sent to collect enigmatic samples and evidence for a shadowy corporation. Be wary, though—the labyrinthine fields hold more than just scientific curiosity.

The Dark Corners of Gameplay

In “Welcome to Dustown,” players are tasked with navigating an unnerving environment rife with unseen horrors and cryptic puzzles. The cornfields are an ever-present maze, challenging you and your team to stay together and survive the night. Equipped with rudimentary tools, your primary objective is simple yet perilous: gather samples and evidence while avoiding or dealing with the crossroad dangers.

The game’s graphics are reminiscent of classic horror cinema, with darkly ambient textures and chillingly realistic sound design. There are plenty of jump scares to keep you on edge, particularly from the eerily diminutive “corn field oompa loompas” that lie in wait among the stalks. Despite the scares, however, the biggest threat is the main “boss” monster that patrols the area. Unfortunately, this behemoth tends to get stuck in the environment, making him more of an occasional nuisance than a constant terror.

Cooperative Strategy

“Welcome to Dustown” thrives on cooperative gameplay. Communication and teamwork are crucial as players must coordinate their efforts to navigate the treacherous fields, handle unexpected threats, and avoid sinister traps. Sadly, the game lacks sufficient in-game tutorials for key mechanics, such as reloading your flashlight, escaping bear traps, and effectively using items found during the exploration. A dedicated in-game journal or more comprehensive instructions would significantly enhance the user experience.

Loot and Leave: The Hunt for Supplies

Initial scavenging is both exhilarating and frustrating. While the loot-and-leave mechanic is engaging, players frequently find empty chests, leading to moments of disappointment. When you do find items, their uses can often be unclear—like the mysterious Beer, which our team speculated is used for generators. This ambiguity adds an extra layer of challenge but can also detract from the overall enjoyment if players are left too puzzled.

Technical Performance

While the game brings plenty of frights and atmospheric tension, technical issues occasionally mar the experience. During testing, there were instances where the game crashed, especially when the non-host player triggered certain actions like starting the game or touching the door. Additionally, the lack of a feature to perma-lock or move bear traps can be infuriating, lacking the flexibility that could make strategic planning even more critical.

Visuals and Horror Vibe

One of the standout aspects of “Welcome to Dustown” is its visual style. The game masterfully employs a desaturated, ghastly palette that evokes the feeling of an old horror movie, immediately immersing players into a world of dread. Early in the gameplay, jump scares are well-executed, particularly by the smaller, unsettling figures darting through the corn.

Despite some of its shortcomings, “Welcome to Dustown” succeeds in delivering an engaging cooperative horror experience that capitalizes on atmosphere and tension.

Sample Collection: The Intriguingly Mundane Threat

Collecting samples might sound mundane, but in the labyrinth of Dustown, every step could be your last. Splitting up to cover more ground might seem like an excellent strategy, but the game quickly teaches you the value of sticking together. The narrative rationale behind your mission adds depth, as players gradually uncover the corporation’s real agenda, making each discovery feel more impactful.

Room For Improvement

While “Welcome to Dustown” nails horror ambiance, several gameplay aspects could use refinement. A journal detailing essential actions and item uses, enhanced monster AI to make the boss genuinely menacing, and additional loot diversity could significantly elevate the user experience. Developers could also benefit from addressing the technical issues that detract from the immersion, such as game crashes and trap mechanics.

The Verdict: An Unpolished Gem of Horror

Spooky Strengths

• Immersive graphics and sound design
• Nail-biting cooperative gameplay
• Effective early jump scares
• Intriguing narrative and setting

Grim Weaknesses

• Frequently empty chests, adding to frustration
• Lacks clear in-game instructions for critical mechanics
• Boss monster AI needs improvement
• Persistent technical issues, including game crashes
• Ambiguous item uses, particularly with the Beer