In a genre overflowing with ghost-hunting co-ops and survival horror tropes, Paranormal Tales arrives as a spine-shivering breath of fresh air. Developed by Digital Cybercherries using Unreal Engine 5, this first-person found-footage horror experience is less about combat and more about immersion—so deep, so disturbingly real, that it blurs the line between game and nightmare.
"I didn’t feel like I was playing it. I felt like I was inside it." — Early Access Tester
As of 2025, Paranormal Tales is still in active development, but its demo and public test builds have already sent shockwaves through horror communities, marking it as one of the most promising evolutions of the genre.
🎥 Concept: Found Footage Reimagined
Inspired by titles like P.T. and Outlast, Paranormal Tales drops you into various terrifying scenarios viewed entirely through found footage:
A man walking his dog in the woods
A bodycam recording of a police investigation
A home surveillance setup during a haunting
Each chapter is a standalone story, united by one thing: it all ends badly.
You’re not a hero. You’re not armed. You’re a regular person recording your final moments.
And that’s what makes it so terrifying.
"Found footage isn't just a style here. It's the mechanic, the perspective, the prison."
🧠 Gameplay: Powerless But Present
Unlike most horror games that offer tools, weapons, or a fighting chance, Paranormal Tales takes everything away:
No combat
No HUD
No clear objectives
You interact with the world like a human holding a camera:
Audio cues trigger reactions
Visual distortions suggest presence
Running is limited and disoriented
There’s no tutorial. You figure things out as the tension builds. Every scenario is a slow-burn horror short that rewards attention and punishes haste.
"It’s like watching a cursed tape—and realizing you’re in it."
🔊 Audio & Visuals: A New Gold Standard in Horror Immersion
Unreal Engine 5 brings unparalleled realism to Paranormal Tales:
Hyper-detailed environments (peeling wallpaper, real-time reflections, environmental fog)
Fluid camera motion with realistic bobbing, focusing, and lens flares
Distortion effects during paranormal encounters—no visual jump scares, just pure dread
The audio design is next level:
Every creak, whisper, and breath is directional and dynamic
Voice acting feels like it’s coming from behind your ear
Headphones don’t just enhance the experience—they are the experience
📽️ Scenarios That Stick With You
Paranormal Tales isn’t a single narrative—it’s an anthology of horror. Each tale introduces a different character, camera, and setting:
🐕 The Dog Walker
You’re walking your dog in a forest at dusk. It hears something you can’t. When it runs, you chase it—and then the barking stops.
🚔 The Bodycam
You’re a cop responding to a 911 call in a farmhouse. Your partner disappears off-screen. Your flashlight begins to flicker.
🏠 The Home Camera
Set in a suburban home, you monitor security feeds as objects move, doors open, and a figure appears in multiple rooms at once.
The game doesn’t rely on recycled enemies or predictable beats. Each chapter is its own unique nightmare.
"I had to pause and walk away. That hasn’t happened to me since PT."
💡 Design Philosophy: Fear Through Realism
The developers have made it clear: Paranormal Tales isn’t about chasing monsters. It’s about becoming convinced something is real.
Realistic camera shake and audio distortion create discomfort
Static, flicker, and interference are built into the gameplay
Limiting control makes every decision feel organic and human
You’re not controlling a character—you are the lens. You move how a real person would under stress. That’s what sells the fear.
🕹️ Interactivity vs. Passive Horror
Some have questioned whether Paranormal Tales is too passive. There are no puzzles, no items to collect, and no fighting back. But that’s the point.
It’s an interactive horror film. It doesn’t want you to solve anything. It wants you to watch, breathe, and feel your heartbeat rise.
📊 System Requirements & Performance
Even with its cutting-edge visuals, the game is well optimized:
Platforms: PC (Steam)
Price: TBD (Demo available free)
Developer: Digital Cybercherries
Publisher: Digital Cybercherries
Minimum Specs:
OS: Windows 10
CPU: Intel i5 / AMD Ryzen 5
GPU: GTX 1660 / RX 580
RAM: 8 GB
Storage: 30 GB SSD
Recommended:
CPU: Intel i7 / Ryzen 7
GPU: RTX 3060 / RX 6700 XT
RAM: 16 GB
Storage: SSD
Ray tracing support is expected at full release.
🔄 Replayability & Future Content
While the demo includes three core scenarios, full release promises:
Over 7 standalone chapters
Community challenges (e.g., speedruns, no-look modes)
Optional lore collectibles
Modding support is also under discussion, with fans eager to create custom VHS horrors.
✅ What Works:
🟢 Groundbreaking realism and found-footage immersion
🟢 Terrifying without cheap tricks
🟢 Chapter-based storytelling keeps each playthrough fresh
🟢 Audio and camera work that redefines horror standards
❌ What Doesn’t:
🔴 No real gameplay beyond walking and observing
🔴 May feel too slow or passive for action-horror fans
🔴 Limited content in current demo
🎯 Final Verdict
Paranormal Tales is more than a horror game—it’s a bold experiment in terror-as-perspective. By removing control, it gives you fear. By adding realism, it gives you belief. It’s short, it’s brutal, and it stays with you long after the screen fades to black.
If you’ve ever wanted to feel haunted, not just play haunted—this is your next obsession.
Score: 9.2 / 10
“Don’t watch it. Don’t play it. Don’t look away.”
