Chilled to the Bone

Story-driven UE5 VR horror prototype focused on atmosphere, narrative, and environmental exploration.

Game Info

"Chilled to the Bone" is a first-person VR prototype that places the player in a dark, snow-covered forest in North America.
As the female protagonist, you awaken with no memory and explore the environment to uncover clues and gradually reconstruct your lost past.

An inner monologue reveals the story step by step, while intuitive VR controls and interactive objects drive exploration. The experience focuses on atmosphere, environmental storytelling, and suspense-driven discovery.

  • Genre: Story-based Mystery / Horror
  • Controls: Free-locomotion VR with button-press interaction
  • Narrative: Non-linear exploration with a psychological twist ending
  • Visual Style: Dark, stylized realism with a focus on atmosphere and mood
  • Target audience: Young adults seeking immersive horror and mystery experiences

Atmospheric Storytelling

The core of the game is its "memory trigger" system. By interacting with objects like blood-stained polaroids or exploring specific locations, players activate audio monologues that simulate the protagonist’s returning consciousness. To heighten the tension, I implemented a dynamic "Heartbeat" audio system and visual distortion effects that intensify as the mystery becomes clearer.

Project Details

  • Project status: Completed Prototype
  • Engine: Unreal Engine 5

Technical Scope

  • Procedural Landscapes: Built an environment using Gaea and Unreal Engine’s Nanite system to achieve detailed terrain while maintaining performance.
  • VR Mechanics: Implemented interaction mechanics to enable intuitive navigation and player interaction in VR.
  • VFX & Optimization: Adjusted visual effects and performance settings to keep the large environment running smoothly in VR.
  • Character Modification: Adapted low-poly models in Blender, including custom weight painting.