Pulsatrix Studios, the developer of Fobia: St. Dinfna Hotel and A.I.L.A., released the first episode of the Otherside Tapes anthology on PC on October 22, 2026. This episode transports horror to an environment rarely explored by the genre: a Carioca favela dated 2006. After playing Otherside Tapes: Favela for five hours in standard mode, the author of the text emphasizes that the setting is scarier than any creature.
The player takes on the role of Cláudio da Silva, a content creator focused on urban legends. He enters the Favela das Almas, located behind Rua 7, a place marked by reports of disappearances and associated with a previous fire that devastated the community. The entire narrative is presented through the protagonist's camera, using found footage aesthetics, characterized by grainy VHS images. The investigation quickly evolves into a cycle of distorted realities, offering rituals, and supernatural appearances.
The aesthetic construction of the favela was praised, highlighting narrow alleys, exposed wiring, artisanal commercial signs, and clay filters, suggesting a deep knowledge of the local reality. Although the map is small, it conveys the perfect atmosphere. The graphics are considered good, with well-detailed environments, characters, and objects, and performance was satisfactory even with all settings on maximum.
The Portuguese voice acting received praise, as did the performance, making Cláudio sound like a Brazilian YouTuber from the 2000s. Furthermore, while walking through the houses, one can hear groans of people trapped inside. The only negative point mentioned was the jumpscare sound, described as loud, repetitive, and needing more variation.
The game integrates multiple layers of the same favela, and the transition between them occurs via pendulum clocks. Actions performed in one layer persist in the others; for example, a door left open in one reality remains open in the others. This interconnection enriches the level design, allowing players to revisit locations without getting lost. The puzzles are rated as medium difficulty in standard mode, being well-guided, although the author felt a lack of more enigmas.
The title offers more than one ending. Although the author tried to solve puzzles leading to ending A, he ended up following a path that culminated in ending B. An absent aspect was a functional computer, despite there being power in the location, which could have been used to deepen the puzzles or the story.
The most impactful element is the location itself. The corridors are narrow and dark, and in some residences, motionless people can be seen through the windows while the television is on. The antagonists are human figures with waxy appearances, empty eyes, and crooked smiles. They remain standing and watching, and in the darker layers, they begin to chase the player when he is not looking directly at them. The camera offers night vision and flash features, both dependent on battery.
In the first hour, especially after changing layers, the game establishes tense and effective horror with jumpscares. However, this effect diminishes over time, as the monsters tend to remain in predictable positions. The combat mechanic also becomes tiring. The camera flash, which stuns enemies, has a considerable recharge time, and the battery is scarce. There was an incident where a monster appeared very close to the player, and the game showed flaws in handling such situations in confined spaces, such as in the house with a water leak, where the attack was almost inevitable.
The narrative could be more robust and well-developed. The context of the pole (the main enemy) was unclear, as was the origin of this universe. The author expected more realistic critiques about life in the favela, such as violence, abandonment, and inequality, even within the supernatural context; however, the story does not address these themes. Furthermore, the way the story is told lacks creativity, as much of the content is conveyed through documents, which became tedious.
With a listed price of R$ 33.99 on Steam, the game is considered short, given that the author took five hours to complete it by exploring minutely, while Pulsatrix estimates about two hours. For those who wish to experience the Brazilian culture and daily life portrayed in a horror game, support national production, and enjoy puzzles, the experience is worthwhile, especially due to the alternative ending that encourages new playthroughs. However, players seeking a deep plot or constant scares may feel frustrated, as the Favela das Almas itself is the strongest element of the game.
