Developed and published by Toge Productions, Whisper Mountain Outbreak gives players the opportunity to explore rundown, monster-infested locales in a sleepy mountain town. The isometric survival-horror game takes inspiration from older games of the genre and puts a modern twist on them, and if the first stage is any indication, Whisper Mountain Outbreak will leave players screaming for more.
Armed with a trusty melee weapon and a map, I set out to a hospital to search for resources and information about the mysterious curse that has overcome the town. Though my demo had me playing alone, the full release will feature co-op with up to three other players. Having more players to watch your back is good news, since the action doesn’t stop when you’re looking through your inventory or interacting with puzzles, but it doesn’t come without drawbacks.
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Playing alone, I had a massive 8-slot inventory, allowing me to carry weapons, ammo, healing supplies, and even gems or other puzzle-vital objects. Naturally, giving a full group of players 32 slots really takes the friction out of inventory management in a survival horror setting, so each player has reduced inventory slots as more players join the game.
Thankfully, Whisper Mountain Outbreak’s inventory management gives would-be survivors plenty of advantages to keep things fair. Dropped items do not disappear, appearing exactly where you left them until you need them again. Additionally, you can often combine items, like weapons and their ammo, or a group of two or three herbs, which saves you space and increases their healing potency. Items you’ve found or dropped are also marked on your map, making it easier to keep track of your vital survival supplies.
Whisper Mountain Outbreak features a pixel art style with characters and enemies portrayed as 2D sprites and environments as low-poly 3D objects. With appropriately sparse lighting and blood-spattered halls, the hospital setting instilled dread as I explored, amplified by the gruesome monsters appearing from air vents to attack. I started with a simple melee weapon, allowing repeated swings or a charged attack for increased damage. A stamina meter prevents relentless attacks. Luckily, the hospital is loaded with healing items, firearms, and ammunition, though I used those more as a last resort than as my first choice in any fight.
Along with enemies and supplies, each level is replete with environmental and literal puzzles. One early example led me to a locker room with a single, untouched locker belonging to an employee, which required their employee number to unlock it. Naturally, plenty of formerly living employees are lying around, leading to a scavenger hunt to find the right one and return with the code in hand.
Despite the scavenging nature of gameplay, the developer I spoke to ensured that while the map would remain static between missions, Whisper Mountain Outbreak’s puzzle elements and look are procedurally generated each time. This prevents an experienced player from rushing to a few key locations to complete the mission while the rest of the team struggles to get their bearings.
Unfortunately, even with my extensive preparation, I was killed by some horrible demon zombie monster before I could complete my mission. But Whisper Mountain Outbreak nevertheless provided a short, fun experience. With a mission-based gameplay loop, a few friends, and a half hour to kill, it’s sure to provide some thrills, especially when things go wrong.
Whisper Mountain Outbreak’s release date is to be announced.
