One of the most gratifying things about doing this job is having the chance to constantly discover hidden gems in the gaming world that often go unnoticed. Many times these games are truly original, for one reason or another, and perhaps this is the case with Animas, conceived by indie developer Apamate Studio. Animas is a first-person psychological horror experience whose level of immersion and realism is simply captivating.
Apamate Studio, based in Caracas, Venezuela, was founded by brothers Wilmar Niño and Wilderman Niño. They previously released only one game, Mechanophagia, whose genre couldn’t be more different from Animas: it was a frantic bullet hell with roguelite elements, set in a dark sci-fi world. This time they’ve decided to venture into the psychological horror genre, set in the mysterious Blanco family house, deep in the Venezuelan mountains. Below you can watch the Official Demo Launch Trailer for Animas Prologue, courtesy of GameTrailers:
Latin Horror First-Hand
Let’s start with the fact that this story takes place in El Junquito, a real location in the northwest of Caracas, nestled in the Venezuelan mountains, specifically in the Blanco family house. That said, one of the things that strikes me the most is the excellent atmosphere achieved through impeccable voice acting. I’m a native Spanish speaker, and all this reaches me in a particularly natural and engaging way, and also feels original, at least in my own opinion, since it’s not very common to see this kind of project coming from Latin America, and even less common from Venezuela specifically. From the very beginning, it obviously has my personal vote of confidence.
In the Prologue, we take on the role of Ana, a journalist who acts as a paranormal investigator, tasked with reconstructing the chronology of the events that doomed the Blanco family in the first place. This brief chapter is self-contained and independent, serving as an introduction not only to the location but also to the game’s mechanics, which aim to surprise us at every step. A setting that changes behind us as we walk through the house, and small items that shed light on the family’s history, combined with constant tension, ambient sounds, and the complete absence of any means to defend ourselves, are all part of what we can expect in this introductory demo.
A Perfectly Immersive Atmosphere
In Animas, the main game, we’ll return to the Blanco family house, which we probably already explored during Ana’s chapter, alongside her companion Alma, the medium who constantly spoke to her and tried to guide her through the radio. Once again, we’ll face a changing environment that reveals different parts of a story fractured by time, from an apparently idyllic 1970s decade to a decaying present, uncovering increasingly terrifying secrets from the past.
Animas will intertwine psychological horror with the soul of Venezuelan folklore, ranging from ancestral beliefs to modern urban legends, exploring a side of horror rarely seen in video games. The first-person atmosphere will immerse us in beautifully crafted, highly detailed 3D environments that constantly blur the line between reality and the worst possible nightmare. Could it be that the house itself is the one whispering in our mind all the time?
The authenticity brought by the impeccable voice acting is perhaps one of its strongest points; and I insist, I emphasize this statement from my perspective as a native Spanish speaker, since hearing those voices in my own language not only feels very natural to me but greatly enhances the sense of immersion. Even so, the game includes translations into several languages, English obviously among them, so its original language won’t be an obstacle for anyone wanting to enjoy it.
Declaring An Identity In The Horror Genre
The most interesting thing about all this is how Apamate Studio manages to project a Latin American voice in a genre historically dominated by studios from other continents. Animas doesn’t try to imitate European or Japanese horror, but rather to reinterpret it through its own cultural codes, its landscapes, its language and a sensitivity that conveys both fear and melancholy. Setting the story in Venezuela isn’t just an aesthetic choice, but a statement of identity that elevates the project and makes it stand out within the current landscape of interactive horror.
From the visual side to the narrative one, Animas feels like a declaration of intent from a studio that wants to tell local stories with global reach. There’s something profoundly human in this kind of horror that doesn’t rely on jump scares but on context, on the ordinary turning strange, on the familiar becoming a threat. And that’s where Apamate seems to have found its own path: an intimate kind of horror, rooted in its homeland, but with the ambition and quality needed to reach players anywhere in the world.
So…
Okay let’s recap. Animas, by Apamate Studio, is a first-person psychological horror experience whose release will be announced very soon. In the meantime, you can try Animas Prologue yourself, an independent and self-contained chapter you’ll find completely free on Steam through the links below. While you’re there, don’t forget to add it to your Wishlist so you don’t miss any updates! And well, once your homework’s done, and before you head out to play with the other kids, stop by the comments and tell us what you thought of this unsettling prologue. I’ve finished it myself, and I’m already eager to see the full game completed! Come on, don’t be shy, tell us what you think. You know gamer, we’ll be reading you! 😉
Images Source: GameTrailers Official YouTube Channel, Animas on Steam, Animas Prologue on Steam
