You don’t need to be a true crime buff to have heard of The Zodiac Killer. He’s one of the original boogeymen, confirmed to have slain 7 people in California during the 60s and 70s.
However, his total body count is unknown and his identity still remains a mystery after all these years. What makes the Zodiac particularly alluring to those with an interest in the macabre is the many clues he left detectives, including the now infamous cipher no one has yet to crack.
Later this year, you’ll be able to delve into the case yourself in “This is the Zodiac Speaking”, a first person story driven game. Developed by Punch Punk Games – the studio that brought us 2018’s point and click adventure, Apocalipsis – it will be available on PC as well as consoles including PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and the Nintendo Switch.
Described as a “stealth thriller” the game has you playing a San Francisco journalist who received a call from the Zodiac only to be lured to a meeting spot, wounded, and left for dead.
The story deal with his trauma and will have you exploring visions of the Zodiac’s killings, based on real life information from the original case files:
Re-enact the killings to save the souls of his victims. Avoid the Zodiac at all cost as he follows your every step. Try to discover Zodiac’s identity collecting hints that will help you solve his cipher. Attend therapy session to learn more about the suppressed memories from your own childhood and try to heal your trauma. Travel between past and present in dreams, memories and vision to understand and learn more about the killer and about yourself. And whatever you decide remember – this story does not have only one ending.
It’s an interesting premise to say the least and we’ll be curious to see how the subject matter is handled considering that the investigation is still open and the effects of the Zodiac’s crimes are still being felt by those families and communities affected.
This is the Zodiac Speaking has no confirmed release date but is expected to launch in 2020.
