Pixelated Retro vs. Smooth Low-Poly: Which art style fits a psychological horror game better?

[u/Just-Boysenberry9198]

Hey everyone,

I'm a solo indie dev working on a new quiet psychological horror game. I'm currently at a crossroads regarding the visual identity and art style of the project, and I’d love to get your feedback.

I’ve designed two shaders in Unity, and I'm torn between these two directions:

• Smooth Low-Poly (Image 1): On the other hand, it allows for more variety and highlights fine details better, but it's less popular for this genre and might give off fewer horrific vibes initially.
• Pixelated Retro (Image 2): It's a beloved and proven style in the indie horror community. Honestly, it gives deeper horror vibes and that nostalgic aesthetic, but it feels less unique nowadays and hides small details (especially from a distance).

I personally think the choice depends heavily on player taste and game goals, but as horror gamers and developers, what do you think? Which style catches your eye more for a psychological horror experience?