Carrion (video game)

Did You Know?

• Players can obtain upgrades such as the ability to dash, which breaks through wooden barricades and reaches otherwise inaccessible areas.
• The monster can grow in size as the game progresses.

Plot

An amorphous entity called 'The Creature' breaks out of a containment unit in a research facility owned by Relith Science. It progresses through the facility, devouring staff and security forces while recovering pieces of its genetic code that scientists had removed. These pieces allow the creature to evolve, gaining size and new abilities. Material analyzers trigger flashbacks revealing the creature's origins: it was found in an egg-like sack by three scientists, killed two, and possessed the third before Relith security forced it out and captured it. After absorbing the last piece of its genetic code, the creature reconstitutes a human form resembling the scientist it infected and escapes into a partially quarantined city at sunset.

Development

Carrion was developed by Phobia Game Studio, an indie studio based in Warsaw, Poland. Development began at least as early as October 2017, according to tweets by developer Sebastian Krośkiewicz. Gameplay was first shown publicly at the 2018 Game Developers Conference, and an official reveal trailer was uploaded by Devolver Digital on June 9, 2019. The soundtrack, composed by Cris Velasco, was released by Materia Collective on July 23, 2020. Velasco sought out Phobia after seeing an early animation test on Twitter, becoming fascinated with writing a score from a monster's perspective. The vinyl pressing featured red hygroscopic liquid to resemble blood splatters, with artwork by Dan Quintana.

Release

A demo version was released on Steam in October 2019. The game launched on desktop platforms (Windows, Linux, macOS), Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One on July 23, 2020. A PlayStation 4 version followed on October 22, 2021, and an Amazon Luna version on November 4, 2021. A PlayStation 5 port arrived on April 27, 2023, and Android and iOS versions on November 5, 2024.

Reception

Carrion earned generally favorable reviews across Nintendo Switch, PC, and Xbox One, per Metacritic. OpenCritic found it strongly approved, with 75% of critics recommending it. The game won Best Debut Game at the 2021 BAFTA Game Awards. It was also nominated for Best Debut Game and Best Indie at The Game Awards 2020, and for Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition at the 24th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards.