The urban legend of Polybius; an obscure online tale, often described simply as “creepy pasta”. If you have never heard the story of Polybius, then Collin Armstrong’s new novel by the same name can shed some light on this dark, mysterious rumor while telling us a story with intriguing themes and a rather … unsettling series of events. So, as always, let’s talk about it.
In brief, the history of Polybius, in its Reddit-style capacity, is about an obscure arcade game that supposedly appeared in Portland, Oregon in the early 1980s. This game reportedly had strange, addictive effects on its players and was linked to a number of bizarre phenomena, such as nightmares, amnesia, hallucinations, and even thoughts of unaliving. Supposedly this game was created by the government for a very nefarious reason. If any of this sounds like its right up your reading alley, then you will not want to skip this book.
Polybius is a horror sci-fi novel set in 1982. The story unfolds in Tasker Bay, a small coastal town that is threatened by gentrification. We meet Andi, a tech-savvy teen who has recently moved there with her mother. Andi gets a job at a local arcade, Home Video World, where she is able to flex her computer repair knowledge and coding skills. She has dreams to leave the area almost as soon as she arrives, aspiring to save money and return to Silicon Valley to be with her dad.
She meets Ro, the son of the local sheriff. Ro develops a crush on Andi and frequents the arcade in hopes of seeing and talking to her. Initially, Andi is very determined to remain detached from anyone she meets but ends up drawn to his thoughtful and persistent nature. One day, Andi’s slimy boss purchases an arcade game at an auction, sight unseen. When it gets delivered, the cabinet exterior is blank, showing no indication as to what game it is. Upon plugging it in and firing it up, they discover that it is named Polybius. It quickly becomes insanely popular, captivating the customers of the arcade. We are talking lines forming before the arcade even opens. Andi starts to think how strange this is and wonders what the heck is going on. Why is everyone acting so weird? Where did obsession over a game come from?
Things begin to escalate from there. Not long after the game’s delivery, Tasker Bay is hit by a series of bizarre and violent events. This strange mass mania seems to ensnare all the residents. What ends up following is a descent into madness. Heightened aggression, paranoia, hallucinations, and even catatonia spread quickly. To make matters more complicated, a violent storm rolls in, further isolating the town from the outside world.
Andi is convinced the game is the origin of the town’s increasing violent acts, and she enlists Ro to help her uncover the origins of Polybius and figure out how to stop it. Their investigation uncovers the secrets of the game and how dangerous it is to even know of its existence. It is now a race against time to save what is left of their friends, family, and Tasker Bay itself.
Polybius addresses the themes of the dangers of technology, the fragile human psyche, and the resilience of those faced with the breakdown of community. Collin Armstrong’s storytelling really captures 1980s nostalgia and draws the reader into a place where reality and the virtual blur together.
Taking inspirations from creepy 80s arcade culture and MKUltra experiments, we get a result that explores this digital urban legend that remains one of the most baffling and intriguing myths of all time. Collin really shines at creating an atmosphere of suspense and claustrophobia as the story comes to its reveal and climax. He offers a unique take, combining horror, mystery, and video game lore. This book is perfect for fans of retro themes and horror elements.
I give Polybius a solid 4 stars. My only note is some of the pacing was a bit off for me, however not enough to detract from my overall enjoyment. Thank you so much to Lucy at Gallery Books for sending me an advanced copy. This book releases April 29, 2025 so make sure you snag a yourself one.
Collin Armstrong has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade developing, writing, and producing material for outlets such as 20th Century Fox TV, ABC Family, Bleeker Street, Viaplay, Discovery, and LA Times Studios. Polybius is his first novel. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and children.
Images via Gallery Books & article author
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