This video analyzes two experimental horror games, Basilisk (SNES) and Basilisk 2000, created by Akuma Kira. The video explores the unconventional gameplay mechanics, analyzes the unsettling narrative fragmented across the games and their files, and investigates the disturbing connections between the games' fictional world and the real-life experiences of the developers.
In the "WASTE" level of Basilisk 2000, several disturbing messages and elements are found:
These elements strongly suggest a connection between the game's fictional world and the real-life frustrations and anxieties of the developers.
In the Basilisk game series, the Basilisk takes on dual meanings:
Fictional Creature: Within the game's narrative, the Basilisk is a monstrous serpent-like creature, responsible for the devastation of the kingdom of Mycenae. It's portrayed as a powerful being associated with death and destruction. The game's narrative eventually reveals that the Basilisk is linked to the "Torn Knight," suggesting a connection between a seemingly heroic figure and a monstrous entity.
Metaphor for Creative Struggle: Beyond the fictional narrative, the Basilisk functions as a powerful metaphor for the developers' struggles with game development. It symbolizes the obsessive pursuit of creative perfection that ultimately leads to self-destruction and burnout. The creation of the Basilisk in the game's lore mirrors the developers' own stressful and often painful process of game development, highlighting themes of creative frustration, perfectionism, and the potential for self-destructive behavior in the pursuit of an artistic ideal.