Butcher's Creek

Butcher's Creek is a first-person action horror by David Szymanski, an indie developer known for such works as the shooter DUSK. The game features realistic, violent, brutal combat inspired by such games as Manhunt and Condemned: Criminal Origins.

Plot

The game is set in November 1993, in Pennsylvania. Its protagonist is an enthusiast of gore films, making his way to an abandoned cabin near Butcher's Creek, brought there by rumors of hidden tapes depicting authentic snuff movies. Once there, however, he finds himself encountering a sadistic gang of murderers. To survive their hunt, the protagonist must become the hunter.

Mechanics

Butcher's Creek is brutal and unsettling, pitting the player against a group of psychopaths who torture and kill anyone careless enough to come near the titular area. We'll fight them using an arsenal of rusted weapons - pipes, hatchets, hammers and knives, dispatching the enemies in a ruthless manner. We'll also visit many atmospheric locations, such as derelict farms, factories and strip clubs.

The game's health system is rather unusual. To heal the protagonist, we must take photos of gruesome, bloody murders, reflecting his dark desires.

Technical aspects

The game's artstyle, resembling low-quality amateur video footage, emphasizes the game's disturbing atmosphere, bringing to mind such movies as The Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity.

Butcher's Creek runs on Valve Corporation's Source engine.