Slender, the latest addition to the survival horror genre has captured a LOT of attention. "Forever Alone" may have had a small appearance in Deus Ex: Human Revolution, but Slender might be the first game entirely based on an internet meme. By now, you've likely seen some of Slender's footage making the rounds around the net (in case you haven't seen it yet, check it out below).
So what is it exactly?
Slender is a game based on the titular mythos of "Slenderman," which you may or may not be familiar with depending how much time you spend on the internet's various message boards researching the creepy and paranormal, whether fictional or factual. Slenderman is the latter.
Slenderman is a quintessential example of the modern day urban legend. Whereas once upon a time, tales of the escaped mental patient with a hook for a hand were once shared around a campfire, similarly structured are now spread through the internet. Initially beginning as a thread dedicated to creating scary images through photo manipulation at Something Awful's forum in 2009. Then it spread like cancer, to various other sites and publications including Fangoria, Bungie, Kongregate, DeviantArt, Mythical Creatures Guide, and 4chan.
Slenderman is even the subject of psuedo documentarys, and short, independent films like "Marble Hornets," where it's known only as "The Operator." Videogames is the latest medium that the mythos has expanded to. Even the endermen of Minecraft are a subtle reference to the Slenderman.
But Slender is the first to feature the creature itself, as the most terrifying anorexic since Ally McBeal. There's little story to the game itself, save that you must gather a collection of pages from around a wooded area. Once you pick up the first page, the chase is on, a thundering bass mimicking footsteps as you're now being hunted by the creature. The game does little to expand the mythos, but the lack of explanation adds to the mystery. Armed with only a flashlight and your wits, you now have to avoid the creature as best you can while collecting the rest of the pages.
Therein lies part of the terror of the game. The locations of the pages change from playthrough to playthrough, forcing you on a wild goose chase with each new game.
Appearing randomly, Slenderman is even creepier than Watson. You won't get the chance to admire any of Slenderman's details (think Rohrshach's mask without the moving inkblots), as the idea is to avoid him as best you can, but should you find yourself face to face with him, the game is over.
The audio is masterful, and completely takes credit for the game's terrifying feel, the ground crunches below your feet as you walk, crickets chirping in the night. But the best thing of all? The game is free to play. Download it here for Mac, and here for PC. Just make sure you visit the bathroom before playing. No one will fault you if you play with the lights on.
