Banned Horror Game 'Horses' Becomes GOG Bestseller with Near-Perfect Rating

A Controversial Horror Game's Triumph on GOG

In a surprising turn of events, the horror game 'Horses,' previously banned from Steam and the Epic Games Store, has ascended to become a bestseller on GOG, boasting an almost perfect user rating. This intriguing title, described by Italian developer Santa Ragione as a "mysterious first-person horror adventure game that blurs the line between reality and the darkest corners of your imagination," plunges players into a disturbing narrative set on a grim farm where humans are treated as livestock. Upon exploration, players encounter individuals, entirely nude and adorned with horse masks, adding a deeply unsettling layer to the game's atmosphere.

The Banning Saga: Steam and Epic Draw the Line

The controversy surrounding 'Horses' began in 2023 when Steam, citing "unacceptable" and "offensive" content, refused to host the game. Valve explicitly stated their refusal to distribute a project they believed "depicts sexual behavior involving a minor." Despite the developers' attempts to amend the game with patches and resubmit it, their pleas were repeatedly denied. A similar fate befell the game with the Epic Games Store. Initially, EGS had indicated a willingness to include 'Horses' in its catalog, a departure from Steam's stance. However, after two months of access and even official approval just 18 days before launch, EGS abruptly reversed its decision the day before release, citing rule violations. Their subsequent appeal was reportedly dismissed without explanation.

The Contentious Scene and Developer's Response

According to Games Radar, the specific scene that triggered the bans features a man bringing his daughter to the farm. She selects a naked adult woman to ride as a "horse," and the player is then tasked with guiding this human "mount" with the child on its back. The developers, Santa Ragione, maintain that the scene is not overtly sexual, though they concede it likely caused the platform owners' unease. To circumvent further issues and ambiguity, the developers eventually reworked the scene, replacing the child with a woman in her early twenties in the final version. This revision highlights the delicate balance developers must strike between artistic expression and platform guidelines.

Resurgence on GOG and Indie Platforms

Despite its exclusion from major storefronts like Steam and Epic Games Store, 'Horses' found a receptive audience elsewhere. Following its December 2nd release, the game quickly became a hit on GOG and Itch.io. On Itch.io, the game carries an 18+ rating, ensuring access only for adult users. Humble, after an initial removal of the game's page, reinstated it. A spokesperson for Humble explained to IGN that a re-evaluation concluded that 'Horses' "mature" content did not violate their policies. This situation presents a paradoxical success story for Santa Ragione. Having invested significantly in the project, including around $100,000, the developers feared for the studio's survival without Steam's reach. However, the very controversy that led to its bans has inadvertently generated considerable buzz, propelling 'Horses' to a new wave of popularity, a development the creators undoubtedly welcome.

Player Reception: A Game for the Brave

Player reviews reflect the game's polarizing nature. One user described it as a "good, disturbing game" that garnered attention due to its "banned on Steam" and "removed from Epic" status. They added, "While some scenes are pretty brutal, it's not that bad overall. If you can stomach watching Buffalo Bill from 'The Silence of the Lambs,' you can survive this." Another reviewer encourages giving the project a chance, acknowledging it as an "arthouse experiment on the edge of provocation and anxiety" that is "definitely not for everyone." 'Horses' is available for purchase at prices ranging from $2.99 to $4.99, depending on the platform, and offers a gameplay experience lasting a few hours. Notably, GOG is recognized for its commitment to preserving older games, even employing private investigators to locate rights holders for retro titles, making its platform an interesting haven for games with unique content challenges.