Indie developer and publisher Absam Studios has announced a major update to MAZEBOUND, its critically acclaimed survival horror hit on Steam. If you thought navigating the game’s relentless, procedurally generated labyrinth was stressful before, things are about to get a whole lot more brutal.

For the uninitiated, MAZEBOUND delivers a frantic and unforgiving gameplay experience. Stranded with nothing but a towering wall ahead and the sea at your back, you are trapped in a nightmare maze with no option but to hunt, gather, and run to survive—either entirely alone or with friends in online co-op.

But as the developers prominently warn: You’re not the only one watching, and you’re not the only one starving.

Enter the Maze—If You Dare

The headline addition to this major update is the highly anticipated Hardcore Mode, a punishing new way to play specifically designed for veteran players seeking the ultimate adrenaline rush. In this mode, every choice carries massive weight, and a single mistake will cost you everything.

Here is a breakdown of what awaits you in the updated maze:

• Permadeath Is Live: If you die, your run is over. Period.
• Hardcore Leaderboards: See how your survival times stack up against the most fearless runners globally.
• New Nighttime Dangers: The maze becomes significantly more hostile after dark, and all safety doors now slam shut at night in Hardcore Mode.
• Scarcer Resources: Hunger depletes at a much faster rate, and there are fewer Waystones to rely on.
• New Monsters: Terrifying new twisted entities have been added to the maze, and the spawning behaviour of existing creatures has been heavily adjusted.
• Exclusive Rewards: Players who manage to beat the brutal Hardcore Mode will unlock a brand-new axe and a fresh Steam achievement.

Race for the $1,000 Solo Cash Prize

To celebrate the launch of Hardcore Mode, Absam Studios is hosting an official Hardcore Solo Competition with a $1,000 USD prize pool.

The top 20 players who secure a spot on the Hardcore solo leaderboard by July 30th at 10 AM PDT will win Steam Gift Cards, with the ultimate survivor taking home the first-place grand prize of $250. Note that for transparency, any winning runs clocked under two hours will require video proof to claim the reward.

Whether you’re looking to test your grit against the new permadeath mechanics or want a piece of that prize pool, there’s never been a better time to jump back in. MAZEBOUND is available right now on PC via Steam.

Find out more here

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