Summary
Bendy: The Cageis an upcoming entry in the well-renownedBendyfranchise, promising another horror adventure in its world of twisted cartoons and ink monsters. However, with a few entries already under the series' belt,indie gameBendy:The Cagehas a lot to prove if it wants to stand out.
Bendy and the Ink Machineis an icon of indie horror, right up there withFive Nights at Freddy’sandDoki Doki Literature Club. A pioneer in the genre,Bendy’s setting in a derelict animation studio haunted by inky amalgams of 30s-inspired cartoon characters created a formula that has persisted among indie horror titles to this day. The upcomingBendy: The Cagewill be coming hot off the heels of themuch-acclaimedBendy and the Dark Revival. Released back in 2022 to a great deal of praise,Dark Revivalrevitalized the franchise after the last mainline title wrapped up development in 2018 and drew fans back to the cel-shaded corridors of Joey Drew Studios.
Bendy: The Cage Needs To Take The Series In A Bold New Direction
The originalBendyis a basic horror game; it lacks substantial gameplay to the extent that it is often derisively labeled a ‘walking simulator’.The Dark Revivaldid a good deal to make up for these flaws, revamping combat and movement with new options, an improved walk speed, and changes to gameplay progression. However, there’s still room for core mechanics that take advantage of the setting and tap into its horror. Furthermore, the franchise’s beautiful cel-shaded art style is starting to get just a little old-hat—yet another hurdle forThe Cageto overcome.
The Cage Should Peek Into Other Eras Of Animation
The franchisefamously takes place in an abandoned animation studio, one displaced withinBendy’s infamous time loop. This studio is often compared to Disney, but it’s closer to Fleischer Studios, a competitor to Walt’s company in the field of animation. Responsible for creating famed characters such as Popeye and Betty Boop, the studio became defunct in 1942 after 13 years of business (though some of its series, such asOut of the Inkwell, had been running long before even then).
Whilst Fleischer Studios was known for being a major producer of black-and-white, rubber-hose cartoons (the ones thatBendy’s warped antagonists take cues from), it did break out into technicolor near the end of its life. This included the production of films such asGulliver’s Travels(1939) andMr Bug Goes To Town(1941).
Bendy: The Cageought to expand the loreof the franchise by allowing for an exploration of technicolor cartoons. In fact, since the game’s description suggests it will be set in an especially dire section of animated purgatory, the inhabitants could represent aspects of even older animation—such as the incredibly influential works of Winsor McCay.
Joey Drew Studios Needs To Clean Up Its Image
Joey Drew Studios, not to be confused with their fictional equivalent, is the studio behindBendy(formerly known as TheMeatley Games), operating under Kindly Beast. This studio has seen an unprecedented level of controversy for the indie horror space, laying off just under 50 employees in 2019 in addition to widespread criticism over CEO statements, bizarre promotionsforBendy and the Dark Revival, a lawsuit with Phatmojo, and technical issues with console ports ofBendy and the Ink Machine.
Kindly Beast and Joey Drew Studios have a lot to do to win back trust, even if the release ofThe Dark Revivalquelled some critiques. Many want accountability for the layoffs in 2019 and the studio’s other numerous fiascos. In addition,Bendy: The Cagewill need to do a lot to improve oncriticisms ofBendy and the Ink Machine, such as lackluster gameplay and technical issues.
MORE:10 Mistakes Everyone Makes While Playing Bendy And The Dark Revival
