Chris Darril’s original horror adventure continues to impress us, more and more with each passing day.
Directly from the Indie Horror Showcase hosted by DreadXP—an event launched in 2023 to celebrate the indie horror development community—video game studios Little Sewing Machine and Meangrip Game Studios, along with publisher Maximum Entertainment, have revealed a captivating new trailer titled “Midnight Trailer” for Bye Sweet Carole, the latest original project from the talented Italian game designer Chris Darril.
And what better time than October—the harbinger of the spookiest season of the year, when humanity’s deepest fears and phobias coalesce into tangible nightmares—to invite us to revel in exclusive, never-before-seen glimpses of Chris’s enchanting Disney-esque Hitchcockian horror adventure? Precisely, none.
But let’s delve deeper—what does the “Midnight Trailer” truly reveal, and what hidden meaning might lie beneath its surface? The title itself draws its name from the trailer’s opening seconds, as the clock ominously strikes midnight—a chilling moment whose importance remains shrouded in mystery within the game. What follows are glimpses of pivotal events that set the story in motion: the enigmatic and tragic disappearance of Carole, Lana’s closest friend, followed by the ominous appearance of a shadowy figure known as “French.”
Though this trailer segment doesn’t unveil entirely new plot developments—many elements of Carole’s disappearance are already known—the scenes here remain pivotal. They not only offer us a more intimate perspective of Carole’s vanishing through Lana’s sorrowful eyes but also bring us face-to-face with the mysterious “French,” shedding light on cryptic clues surrounding Carole’s fate.
The focus then shifts entirely to gameplay, unveiling a captivating array of never-before-seen scenes that provide insight into the grotesque horrors we must confront nella nostra avventura. Among these menaces is the unspeakable shapeshifter, Mr. Kyn—the story’s malevolent main antagonist—who relentlessly stalks Lana throughout the trailer. This section grants us a close encounter with one of Kyn’s most extraordinary and formidable powers: his ability to metamorphose into monstrous aberrations, allowing him to adapt with unsettling ease to the surrounding environment and manipulate it to his advantage.
However, if you think Kyn is the only ever-present menace nipping at your heels, think again. The trailer compellingly illustrates that this is far from the truth. If you manage to navigate the harrowing encounters with the main villain, his henchmen will be poised to execute his sinister designs. The chilling final moments of the trailer unveil a sinister entity with long, razor-sharp claws, hidden beneath a yellow raincoat. This grotesque creature is none other than Velenia, the seemingly innocent and mischievous owl previously introduced by the developers, now unveiled in her most horrific and uncontrollable form.
Fortunately, we will not always be left to confront these dangers alone. The trailer not only showcases the myriad perils awaiting us in Bye Sweet Carole, but also invites us to revisit scenes featuring Mr. Baesie, Lana’s dearest friend and the game’s second playable character. Furthermore, we gain deeper insights into the core elements that will shape the gameplay, including intricate platforming sections, a robust stealth component, and an intriguing glimpse into what promises to be one of the title’s most distinctive features: the moment when Lana transforms into a rabbit, radically altering the pace and style of the experience.
For now, we shall bring our analysis to a close, as we certainly do not wish to spoil any of the surprises or revelations that the trailer has in store for you. Before we take our leave, however, we would like to share a few important details.
Bye Sweet Carole is planned for release next year on Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. To stay updated on Chris Darril’s latest project, be sure to follow us and visit the game’s official X account for the most recent updates. And if your curiosity can’t wait for more, don’t miss our exclusive interview with Chris Darril, where we delve into the creative process behind the game.
That’s all for today. Until next time, dear little bunnies!