The Bellows

About The Bellows

The Bellows is a short horror experience for VR headsets, released free on Steam in September 2016 by BOT Jungle Productions, the team of Evan Davis, Bryce Davis and Gehrig Gosslin. A PlayStation VR version followed in July 2017 under the name Castle Steps, sold on the PlayStation Store. It is VR only on Steam; there is no flat-screen mode.

The makers built it with one aim: scaring you, scaring your family and scaring your friends. It is designed to play like an interactive movie, so you move through it and watch things happen around you more than you solve or fight anything. Reviews describe two parts, a manor and a hospital.

Critics compared it to a haunted house ride at an amusement park. The VR Grid praised its sound and called it something to show friends and family to watch them react, and SelectButton noted you can see all of it in 15 to 20 minutes.

It suits a first evening with a headset, or a quick scare to pass around, rather than players looking for a long game.

How to play The Bellows

1. Download it free on Steam for a SteamVR headset, or buy it on the PlayStation Store for PS VR.
2. Put on the headset; on PS VR use a DualShock 4 or two Move controllers.
3. Walk through each part and let the scenes play out around you.
4. Pass the headset to friends or family when you are done; it was made to be shown.

Tips

• Play with headphones; reviewers single out its sound.
• Movement is slow, so take your time and look around rather than hurry.
• It is short, so play it in one sitting.

Questions