Decarnation is a surrealist horror adventure developed by Atelier QDB, released in 2023 for PC and Nintendo Switch. The game follows Gloria, a cabaret dancer whose career, relationships, and self-worth are all unraveling when a mysterious patron presents her with an irresistible proposition. What follows is a narrative that blurs the boundary between waking life and nightmare, drawing on the influence of Silent Hill, David Lynch, Satoshi Kon, and Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. Gameplay blends puzzle-solving, combat against unsettling enemies, and exploration of a dreamlike world, with a range of mini-games that demand both quick reflexes and careful thinking. The dual soundtrack, Rêve and Cauchemar, features contributions from multiple composers including Akira Yamaoka, known for his work on the Silent Hill series. At its core, Decarnation is a survival story in which psychological horror and the struggles of everyday life become inseparable.
Paris, 1990. Gloria is at the end of her rope. A struggling cabaret dancer dealing with the fraying of her relationships, career, and self-esteem, she takes on a new artistic endeavor sponsored by a mysterious benefactor. Would the generous proposal be Gloria's lucky break, or something worse? A survival story with layered psychological stakes, Decarnation explores the contrast between battling limitations in the physical realm, and the subconscious landscapes one can't escape. Decarnation is an emotional, startling story-driven experience that will keep you on your toes until the very end.
