In paranoia pot-boiler Gangstalk you are the person chasing you

Gangstalk is a unique cat-and-mouse game where you play both the stalker and the victim. It’s a stalking game where you are both the one stalking and the one being stalked. The concept may sound confusing, but it’s intriguing enough to overlook the dystopian world framing in the trailer.

Created by Kitten Burst developer Jam2go, Gangstalk follows the story of Cam, an urban explorer with an emoji for a face who is being pursued by the sinister megacorp PANDO, known for creating digital ghosts. Or at least, that’s what Cam believes. The term “gangstalking” refers to the belief of being followed, stalked, and harassed by many people, which may suggest that Cam’s experiences are a product of his own troubled mind.

The game starts with Cam infiltrating the secretive PANDO company town, Kudzu Vale, resembling a spooky suburban area similar to The Blackout Club. The environment is filled with eerie locations like empty parking lots, deserted markets, and surreal scenery, adding to the unsettling atmosphere. The main threats are the Datamoshers, ghostly figures made of VHS static, but the most intriguing aspect is the self-stalking element.

Instead of a typical camera system, players will view Cam through various perspectives including CCTV cameras, devices, agents, and Datamoshers. Sometimes, you observe from a CCTV camera’s angle, tracking Cam’s movements across the room. Other times, you embody the horror chasing Cam, creating a unique gameplay dynamic of escaping from yourself.

Gangstalk challenges players to fear their own gaze, presenting a fascinating dilemma of balancing visibility and control. The game warns of strong depictions of anxiety and paranoia, offering a fresh take on these themes in video games. While there are potential pitfalls, such as the “stalker POV” mechanics becoming repetitive, the game’s innovative approach is worth exploring.