Why You Should Play Holstin: 5 Reasons This Pixel-Art Survival Horror Game Stands Out

Gotta say, I didn’t think I’d be this psyched for a game in 2023, but Holstin snagged my attention right away. I mean, seriously. Pixel art that makes your eyes happy, messing with perspectives, and set in a weirdly creepy Polish town? Sign me up.

Anyway — wait, no — let’s backtrack. I somehow got this crazy luck and got to try out a brand-new PC demo for a couple of hours. It’s basically the opening bit of Holstin, and man, it’s packed with way more story (pun definitely intended). Forget the old Steam demo with its make-believe puzzles; this one’s the real deal.

Oh, and friends, trust me on this — you need to keep Holstin on your radar. Let me ramble a bit about why.

#1: “Disgusting” Has Never Looked So Good

First thing you spot? Holstin just looks stunning. It’s like being dropped into a forgotten train station that’s sprouting weird yellow goop everywhere. I mean, screenshots are cool, but you have to see it move. It’s like when you catch an unexpected whiff of a perfume that takes you back — visceral stuff, right?

And then there’s this wild twist. What looks like basic 2D art turns into mesmerizing 3D when you swing the camera around. Eight angles, and each one’s seamless. Even when you kinda know it’s coming, that first swing-around is a "Whoa!" moment, up there with your first monster encounter.

On a side note, if you’re a twin-stick fan, the top-down view works like a charm on a controller. Mouse and keyboard? No worries — Holstin’s silky smooth either way.

What really blows my mind is their custom tech to nail these graphics. Damn impressive stuff. You don’t see these flourishes often in the biz.

#2: Mind-Blowing Perspectives

Switching that third-person camera around is way more than eye candy. It’s functional. Miss that alley behind some crates, and you might be going in circles. Oh, and surprise! More to this — those mutant creeps won’t just politely wait. You’ll need to aim over-the-shoulder to handle ’em with some headshot precision.

That constant switching keeps you on your toes. Felt like I had one eye on every corner, even out of battles. It didn’t always save me from a surprise attack (some beast caught me off guard), but still, the suspense is killer.

Holstin tosses in other cool camera tricks too. Ever feel like you’re being watched from above? Yeah, it plays on that for max creepiness.

#3: Meat, Tentacles, and Gore Galore

Survival horror fans, prepare your nerves. Holstin does not skimp on the creepy-crawlies and gore. Your goal? The slaughterhouse. Yep, not the feel-good stop on this journey.

This yellow goop—“Plasmodium”—it’s like foam spray gone wild, only alive. Tentacles wave as you get close. Friendly? Mocking? No clue, but they’ll make your skin crawl.

And those zombie dudes? They’ve got glowing orange bits hijacking them, along with weird tendons. It’s all part of Holstin’s spreading fungal nastiness.

The biggest chill? Implied gore. No slaughterhouse visuals in the demo, but the whispers and clues scattered about will give you chills.

#4: Adventure Gaming Puzzles That Don’t Suck

Old-school point-and-click enthusiast here! Holstin’s puzzles impressed the heck out of me. Maybe I’m turning into a grumpy old gamer, but linear puzzles don’t cut it anymore. Problem-solving here’s a different beast — not even in a set order.

Feels more like searching for misplaced car keys than ticking off a list. Way better than those obscure puzzles you’re used to in this genre.

#5: 1990s Poland Is a Trip

Holstin’s world: 90s Poland, touched by tentacles. Not a typical pitstop in gaming, ya know? Only Polish voiceovers in the demo, but it adds authenticity, like catching a foreign film — even if I didn’t grasp a word.

A strange crew populates your path. The suicidal woman, definite despair in her voice. The riddle-babbling big guy, about to snap. It’s a wildly mixed cast, but their oddities only heighten your tension.

And saving? Think decrepit phone booths with actual telephone cards. Tomasz, our hero, has no cellphone luxury. Get ready to embrace the dark pre-internet vibes.

All things summed up? This demo smacked me with its brilliance. Really rare for me to say that. If the rest of Holstin hits this high, we’re looking at a future horror classic. Can’t wait to play the full thing.