Zoochosis: The zookeeper indie horror game

Alexandra W

Alexandra W

Mutated giraffes, hippos, and elk, oh my!

It doesn’t get freakier than this. Indie horror games have covered a lot of ground in recent years: submarines, backrooms, and mortuaries. Next are the cute and cuddly animals we’ve all seen at our local zoos. This upcoming horror game, titled Zoochosis, by Clapperheads, mashes The Thing, Five Nights at Freddy’s, and animal sanctuaries into a horrifying and gross amalgamation. Wishlisting now!

Zoochosis is an actual issue for captive animals. It is a type of psychosis that occurs in animals when they do not have the proper environment or stimulation.

What is Zoochosis?

Zoochosis -the game- is a “bodycam” horror game where you play as a zookeeper trying to cure infected animals of their mutations. Rescuing all of the animals will depend on your gameplay as there are multiple potential endings.

Not much else has been revealed about the game since it was first announced in mid-January. The teaser trailer gives a first-person perspective of a zookeeper petting a giraffe and using a sort of scanner. Suddenly, a second one violently mutates and skitters away up a wall.

The first of many mutated animals in Zoochosis (Image via Zoochosis on Steam)
The first of many mutated animals in Zoochosis (Image via Zoochosis on Steam)

The trailer then gives us a familiar phone call for night guards – or zookeepers – as the voice gives a very FNAF like “Hello?” and reassures that we have nothing to worry about. Based on the high level of security and technology at the zoo, it seems that our main character knew what they were getting into before signing on to the job. Their goal is to figure out which animals are infected, find a vaccine for the animals, and cure them. Oh, and survive.

Maybe he's friendly? (Image via GameSpot Trailers on YouTube)
Maybe he's friendly? (Image via GameSpot Trailers on YouTube)

Trailer highlights also include an adorable kangaroo hopping away before transforming into a horrendously long limbed monster with a huge mouth on its stomach. What will probably be the best and worst part of this game is seeing your favorite animal... and seeing what they become.

When does Zoochosis come out?

Currently, Zoochosis is not out and does not have a release date. However, it does seem likely that it will release sometime this year. Additionally, it is available to wishlist on Steam and received over 80,000 wishlists in its first five days.

Oh man, not the penguins too! (Image via Zoochosis on Steam)
Oh man, not the penguins too! (Image via Zoochosis on Steam)

We’ll keep a watchful eye on this game, as its unique and promising premise will definitely make a splash in the indie horror game fandom.

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