While Shinji Mikami’s long-awaited return to the survival horror genre was initially pegged for late August, Bethesda has confirmed plans to delay The Evil Within until October 21st and 24th in North America and Europe, respectively.
In light of the announcement, the studio has since cited balancing issues and overall refinement in its official statement.
“Shinji Mikami and his team at Tango Gameworks have asked for additional time to further balance and refine the game in order to deliver the polished, terrifying pure survival horror experience they set out to create.”
Elsewhere, Bethesda also outlined an all-new pre-order incentive for the game under the moniker of The Fighting Chance Pack. The added content in question will open up a range of in-game bonuses for players, including a double barrel shotgun, medical kit and even a splash of green gel that can be used to boost the protagonist’s abilities.
Developed by Tango Gameworks, The Evil Within will tell its horrific, reality-bending tale through the eyes of Detective Sebastian Castellanos, who, after regaining consciousness at a dilapidated crime scene, must creep gingerly through the corridors of an abandoned hospital to piece together an seemingly unsolved mystery.
And while this delay may well provide the developing studio that extra window of time to rack up the jump scares and atmosphere, the fact that The Evil Within has now slipped to October will pit Mikami’s scarefest against an array of other titles, including Turtle Rock’s co-op shooter Evolve, which will raise its monstrous head on October 21st, too.
Can The Evil Within stand shoulder to demonic shoulder with the competition come October? Time will tell.
