Every now and then, a mod gains such popularity and acclaim that it evolves into its own independent entity. Think of games like PUBG and DayZ that originated from the expansive Arma universe. Similarly, The Forgotten City emerged from the world of Skyrim. In that vein, Total Chaos has taken its roots from a remarkable Doom 2 mod and transformed into a stand-alone horror FPS, built from the ground up with Unreal Engine 5. This game, crafted by a team that includes the mind behind the original mod, serves up a chilling mix of Silent Hill-inspired scares and survival mechanics reminiscent of Stalker. Recently, the developers have offered a fresh demo for Steam Next Fest, and they’ve also confirmed that the official release is slated for later this year.
Initially debuting in 2018 as a complete overhaul mod for Doom 2, Total Chaos has since been reworked into a game all its own. It presents a world that’s haunting in its gray beauty, tasking you with delving into Fort Oasis. This once-bustling mining town is now shrouded in darkness and decay. Guided only by the crackling voice on your radio, your mission is to navigate the depths of its mines and buildings to unravel the hidden truths.
Although it traces its lineage back to Doom, don’t expect the typical high-octane boomer shooter experience. While it is indeed an FPS, firearms and ammo are precious commodities, calling for a reliance on melee combat to fend off adversaries. Resourcefulness is key—you’ll have to scrabble together makeshift weapons from whatever you can find scattered throughout Fort Oasis. But be mindful, you’re limited by an inventory weight system, meaning you can’t lug around an entire arsenal or stockpile too many materials.
For those daring enough to plunge deeper into its spine-chilling environments and confront its grotesque creatures up close, Total Chaos will also offer a VR version when it launches. Originally, the release was projected for a vague 2025 date, but that’s been firmed up: both the game and its VR counterpart will hit Steam on Thursday, July 24.
Adding to the excitement, the team at Trigger Happy Interactive announced that there will be a post-launch paid DLC titled Epilogue. This will introduce players to “an extended narrative, unexplored locations, and a never-before-seen tenth chapter.”
If July feels too far away, don’t worry. A revamped demo has been released as part of Steam Next Fest, available for you to try from now until Monday, March 3.
After getting your fill of frights with the demo, why not explore some more top-tier horror games? Or perhaps cast your eyes ahead with our guide to upcoming PC games.
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