Critical Acclaim for Cult Horror Remake

Apogee Entertainment partnered with UberStrategist to support Total Chaos, a standalone remake of the cult-classic DOOM II mod and the publisher’s premier survival horror title. The studio wanted the game to break out as a major release across PC and modern consoles.

UberStrategist took over PR efforts from a previous agency and managed a seven-month campaign leading into launch. The work required close coordination with Atari on console announcements and careful handling of a secretive shadow launch plan tied to the Xbox Partner Preview showcase.

We leveraged our deep experience in the survival horror space and built a focused target list of press contacts. We also reviewed earlier PR efforts and strengthened the game’s messaging to better highlight its unique appeal.

Throughout the campaign, we identified high-visibility showcases that kept the game in the public eye, with particular attention to horror gaming audiences and Tier 1 publications, such as IGN, which had a strong track record of attracting high views for Total Chaos trailer uploads.

We also proposed creative tactics to elevate the title, including recommending Silent Hill composer Akira Yamaoka as a standout PR hook and suggesting themed physical press kits. At launch, we coordinated closely with Atari and Xbox to execute an embargoed review campaign to support the surprise launch.

The campaign generated nearly 400 press articles, including strong review pull quotes from outlets like Bloody Disgusting, Game Informer, GamesRadar+, Screen Rant, CBR, Shacknews, and GamingBolt. The game also drew notable attention for Akira Yamaoka’s original track “Catharsis,” following a GameSpot exclusive premiere.

At launch, Total Chaos earned a strong aggregate reception, reaching an 80 Metascore and a 77 OpenCritic score. Together, we successfully executed a surprise launch at the Xbox Partner Preview showcase and delivered the high-impact campaign Apogee had envisioned for its premier survival horror title.