In The Baby in Yellow, an unforgettable and typical babysitting job takes a horrific turn for the worst when players are invited to a chilling situation which uniquely calls into question such previous constructs as what is real and supernatural. At the outset, you discover that a seemingly innocuous baby is in need of care, but before long the game begins to unfold into a creepy psychological horror story full of weird and sometimes Lovecraftian occurrences.
It takes place in a cozy, softly lit apartment amidst decorations we all recognise from home — an eerily appropriate backdrop to the pulsing unease of the horror game being played.
Every creak of the floorboards and flicker of the lights is used to fantastic effect to lend a sense of claustrophobia and unease about the whole affair. The baby, who only kinda sorta looks like a regular baby except more…always calm than babies ever are, is the focal point of the story. But those big, black eyes and oddly calm behavior soon show you that something sinister hides beneath its sweet mask.
Players are the babysitter and your duties include feeding baby, changing it, putting it down for napes.
The responsibility of looking after the child however, soon turns into a living nightmare as his behaviours grow more peculiar and disturbing. The infant follows the player intently with its eyes, and seems to be hyper-aware of the environment around it and is able to manipulate it in unnatural ways.
In a series of ever stranger and more horrific episodes, the game comes alive — each playing out with the intention to uncover what is really happening in this baby's body. Taking her place with other unfortunate victims of the house, the baby torments players during suspenseful scenarios and puzzles that intertwine with her inexplicable movements. You'll solve puzzles by interacting with objects throughout the apartment: collecting new items or triggering events that uncover twisted details.
The game is vital in terms of making it scarier, as the way it looks and the sounds are just ankle-biting. Helped by the apartment's dimly lit atmosphere with occasional flickers of light, and occasional but eerie baby giggles or cries there is an excellent slow burn feeling. The sound design is a part of the experience, ambient sounds and surprising loud noises permeating from every direction more often than not.
Players will gradually learn more about the baby and the secrets that lie within the apartment as they progress. As you discover the October Society's true nature THE SINKING CITY desperately tries to up the horror and touches on possession and supernatural influences. As the baby's behavior becomes more erratic and malevolent, the game soon surpasses standard horror norms as story reveals a disturbing succession of surprising and horrifying events intended to challenge the player.
The game's sound design and visuals are absolutely crucial in cranking up the horror elements. The dim lighting in the room adds to an eerie feel broken by the baby's high-pitched giggles or sudden breathy cry. Sound design is another key element of the experience, using environmental sounds and sudden jolts for a constant idea of anxiety in this place.
When players progress, they are able to uncover the horrifying truth about where the baby came from and what other secrets lie hidden across the flat. With each new discovery, the game explores the ideas before delving into possession and supernatural influence to truly hit home on what true horror is about. As the baby's actions begin to become more and more erratic (and increasingly evil), it will prompt a number of disturbing, heart-wrenching, and nerve-racking events that you as the player must survive.
