Chromatic aberration is made manifest in NECHROMIA, a high contrast survival horror set in a castle made of something else’s memories
NECHROMIA is a new high-contrast survival horror game that draws aesthetic inspiration from PS1-era horror classics, though it deliberately diverges from the familiar templates of Silent Hill and Resident Evil. Set within a castle constructed from memories that don’t belong to the player, the game creates a surreal and unsettling environment.
The game’s defining visual characteristic is its prominent use of chromatic aberration effects, which are so integral to the experience that the developer describes the game as “chromatic aberration made playable.” This visual approach creates the distinctive high-contrast aesthetic that sets NECHROMIA apart from typical retro horror homages.
The trailer includes a seizure warning due to the intensity of the visual effects employed throughout the game. NECHROMIA appears to be part of a broader trend toward aesthetic diversity within PS1-inspired horror games, following titles like 2024’s Sorry We’re Closed, which demonstrated that the retro horror revival doesn’t require strict adherence to established genre templates.
The game represents a growing interest in exploring alternative visual and artistic directions within the survival horror genre, moving beyond straightforward homages to classic franchises toward more experimental and distinctive experiences.