INTRODUCTION

Paraisthesis is a singleplayer first-person horror game currently in development as part of the 2025 Virtual Environments course in Computer Engineering at FACENS. The game follows a Technician dispatched to investigate a mysterious underground crater formed in the aftermath of the Chernobyl Nuclear Reactor meltdown. The player must navigate irradiated tunnels, avoid a dormant creature lurking beneath layers of concrete and contaminated soil, and uncover the truth behind the incident.

IMPLEMENTATION

The game is developed in Unity with C# by a team of five Computer Engineering students. The project leverages Unity’s first-person controller framework and lighting system to establish an oppressive, claustrophobic atmosphere. Core gameplay mechanics include proximity-based monster detection via a handheld radar device, environmental puzzle solving, and sound-reactive AI behavior — requiring the player to manage noise levels carefully while navigating the environment.

RELEVANCE

Paraisthesis serves as a practical application of virtual environment design, interactive narrative, and real-time 3D game development concepts introduced in the course curriculum. It also explores the use of sound-driven AI systems and atmospheric design as tools for creating tension — techniques directly relevant to both game development and interactive simulation fields.