Thanks to an extensive list of factors, which includes the rise of Twitch and the resurgence of franchises likeResident Evil, it’s fair to say that the horror genre has undergone something of a renaissance over the last decade. What’s arguably fueled the phenomenon the most, though, is an influx of talented indie studios that have managed to breathe new life into the space. Soon, Italian studio LKA will add its own voice to the growing list of independently developed horror games through the release ofMartha Is Deadon PC,PlayStation, and Xbox.
During the run-up toMartha Is Dead’s release on February 24, the indie game has made news headlines several times. In a surprising but not entirely unprecedented turn of events, LKA’s publishing partner Wired Productions recently announced that sections of the gamewill be censored on PS4 and PS5. Having to compromise an artistic vision that’s been passionately worked on since 2019 will no doubt be a tough pill to stomach by all parties involved with the game’s creation. However, there’s reason to believe that the attentionMartha Is Deadhas already received will benefit the game in the long run.
RELATED:Stephen King’s Novels Would Make for Great Video Game Adaptations
As it stands right now, it’s not entirely clear what has been censored withinthe PlayStation versions ofMartha Is Dead, or how much LKA has had to amend its vision. Horror games are more open than most to explore the darkest themes that humanity can imagine though, so speculation could go in almost infinite directions.Martha Is Deadis set in Italy during 1944, a particularly bleak period in human history, and revolves around the mysterious death of its titular character. In terms of potent combinations, it’s easy to imagine that thematic pairing leading to some distressing scenes. Some fans have speculated that one in particular where the player has to remove a corpse’s face before wearing it could be one of several reasons why Sony has intervened.
Regardless of the content that’s ultimately spooked Sony, it’s highly likely that the controversy will have putMartha Is Deadon the radar of more players. Publicity like this has historically helped other horror-themed projects, like movies and TV shows, to reach audiences that would’ve otherwise been unaware of their existence. It’s also worth keeping in mind that Sony is no stranger to publishing graphic and distressing content itself, either. Even thoughThe Last of Us 2has been celebrated for its artistic achievements, Naughty Dog’s game was still a dark and oppressive experience that showcased the unsavory sides of humanity. Being able to boast thatMartha Is Deadscared Sonyin light of this is a powerful accolade to attach to a horror game before its release.
IfMartha Is Deadwas set tolaunch exclusively on PS4 and PS5,Sony’s intervention would’ve been even more complicated than it currently is. On February 24, LKA and Wired Productions will release the game in its unedited state on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S. Even though it’s unlikely that any party involved will label the game differently, Sony’s censorship effectively makes these incarnations ofMartha Is Deadthe definitive and uncut versions of the game.
Forhorror fans, that designation will be an enticing proposition that’s hard to ignore, to the point that it’s easy to imagine the game now selling better on those platforms as a result. Considering how game development is a creative process and expression for many developers, it would be understandable if LKA was still disappointed that its vision has been diluted on one of the major platforms despite this.
Based on the wording of the press release that broke the news, there’s a chance that the censored scenes will still technically be in the edited versions of the game, though. On PS4 and PS5, it’s theorized that direct control will be taken away from the player, with roughly the same turn of events playing out on-screen without their agency. Even though more players will naturally seek out theuncut version ofMartha Is Dead, there’s still going to be a decent sized group of players who opt for the censored version in order to make comparisons. It’s worth keeping in mind that a horror game that’s theoretically less scary could also be music to some people’s ears, so some may be pleased that the game is toned down slightly on PlayStation platforms.
It’s only been a few short weeks, yet 2022 is already shaping up to be a bumper year in terms of high-profile releases. During the first quarter of the year alone, there’s plenty ofmajor blockbusters likeHorizon Forbidden West,Elden Ring, andGran Turismo 7for players to dive into. With the financial year coming to a close in April, publishers are attempting to boost their pandemic-impacted sales figures with as many games as they can get out of the metaphorical door.
Releasing a horror game against this backdrop, and the marketing campaigns involved in AAA development, is a daunting proposition for an indie studio like LKA to face. Before the censorship controversy with Sony,Martha Is Deadwould have most likely flown under the radar for many players. Due to the discourse involved with the news, however, more gamers could now go out of their way to buy and play the game to make a judgment for themselves. Horror is often fueled by a sense of mystery and the fear of the unknown, twoelements thatMartha Is Deadhaseven more of now due to Sony’s censorship.
Martha Is Deadreleases February 24 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
MORE:Why PT Fans Should Keep an Eye on Martha Is Dead
