Combining cinematic storytelling with modernized classic gameplay, survival horror fans are in for a real treat with Dusty Box’s Cult of Blood.
Hot off the heels of its new Steam demo, Gamers Heroes recently asked Cult of Blood’s development team at Dusty Box questions around its survival horror roots, its modernized classic gameplay, and even the team’s scary movie – learn more with our interview.
Cult of Blood Interview – Dusty Box Talks Inspiration, Modernized Classic Gameplay, and Favorite Scary Movie
Gamers Heroes
Cult of Blood is a love letter to classic survival horror fans – after my own heart!
When it comes to classic survival horror titles, Resident Evil and Silent Hill definitely come to mind – what other video games/media has Dusty Box been inspired by for Cult of Blood?
Dusty Box
Absolutely.
While Resident Evil and Silent Hill are the foundational pillars, our inspiration for Cult of Blood casts a wider net into the era of fixed camera angles and palpable dread, drawing heavily from the design of Evil Dead: Hail to the King and Alone in the Dark.
The game is a direct homage to that specific feeling of vulnerability and exploration, channeling the cinematic presentation of Resident Evil and the psychological unease of Silent Hill, but filtered through a unique gothic-horror lens reminiscent of classic horror films.
Gamers Heroes
On that note, Cult of Blood is set to feature modernized classic gameplay – the best of both worlds!
I’m sure balancing old and new can be tricky – what are some of the challenges/triumphs the team has seen throughout Cult of Blood’s development?
Dusty Box
One of the most significant challenges has been modernizing the deliberately clunky “tank” controls and fixed camera angles without sacrificing the precise, strategic tension they created, the triumph is creating a hybrid system that offers modern, intuitive movement while using dynamic fixed camera placements that enhance dread and force players to listen carefully to the audio landscape.
Ultimately, the greatest triumph is seeing both seasoned survival horror fans and newcomers alike appreciate the deliberate pacing and resource management anxiety that defines the genre’s golden era.
Gamers Heroes
I saw that Cult of Blood was part of September’s Hungry Ghost Festival!
What was it like working with the fans, and what are some of your favorite stories that came from the event?
Dusty Box
The Hungry Ghost Festival was an electrifying experience, as collaborating directly with fans transformed a development milestone into a shared celebration, where our community’s feedback of what classic survival horror means to them became our favorite part of the event.
These interactions weren’t just feedback, they were a powerful reminder of the passionate community we’re building for, and their enthusiasm has become a tremendous source of motivation for our team.
Gamers Heroes
I also saw that Cult of Blood will feature limited ammo, with added features like knockback and delay adding tension to fights – love it!
How else are you looking to keep players on their toes in Cult of Blood?
Dusty Box
Beyond limited ammo, we’re keeping players on their toes through a dynamic and unpredictable environment, where non-scripted enemies and ambient sounds that may or may not signal a threat create a constant state of unease.
The environment itself is a character, with its layouts, that require risky backtracking through dangerous areas.
We’re focusing on systemic horror, where the tension isn’t just in scripted jump scares but in the emergent, heart pounding moments of barely escaping an encounter, forcing you to skillfully survive the fights.
Gamers Heroes
Finally, I have to ask – what’s your team’s favorite scary movie?
Dusty Box
While our team’s tastes are wildly diverse, sparking endless debates between the atmospheric dread of The Shining and the visceral terror of The Thing, we hold a deep admiration for the gothic, practical effects horror of these films’ eras, which directly inspires Cult of Blood’s tone.
However, if we had to pick one that perfectly encapsulates the game’s desired feeling of isolated, escalating paranoia, it would be Evil Dead, its cozy atmosphere, and sense of brutalism are a constant touchstone for us.
Ultimately, our “favorite” is any film that prioritizes lingering unease over cheap thrills.
One can wishlist Cult of Blood and check out a demo via its official Steam page.
Feeling social? Be sure to follow the official Twitter/X and YouTube social media channels!
Thank you to PR for arranging this interview, and Dusty Box for their time!
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