If you suffer from a fear of heights—or a fear of things that go bump in the dark while you’re dangling 10,000 meters in the air—look away now. For the rest of the thrill-seeking stegophiles (that’s wall-climbing enthusiasts to you and me), it’s time to chalk up your hands.
In a surprise move today, developer Dark Machine Games and indie horror heavyweights DreadXP shadowdropped The Nest Update, a massive, completely free content expansion for their first-person roguelite speed-climber, White Knuckle.
To celebrate the surprise launch, a stellar new gameplay trailer has dropped, showcasing the deeply expanded (and deeply terrifying) nightmare awaiting players on Steam. Check out the trailer and get ready to sweat through your controller.
What is White Knuckle?
For the uninitiated, White Knuckle is a high-octane, lo-fi blend of Mirror’s Edge precision and intense physiological horror. Players are tasked with ascending through the gut-wrenching, industrial decay of SUB-STRUCTURE 17.
Every move requires deliberate stamina management. You use momentum-based mechanics to swing hand-over-hand, hammer pitons into crumbling concrete, and manage a limited inventory—all while a malicious, angry sludge oozes up from the abyss below. If your grip fails or you carry too much weight, eternity awaits you at the bottom.
Welcome to ‘The Nest’: What’s New?
The Nest Update marks the arrival of the campaign’s fifth major region (out of seven planned for the game’s full 1.0 release). Described as a subterranean “alien jungle,” this update shifts the game’s horror into overdrive by introducing unpredictable environments and dangerous wildlife.
Here is a breakdown of what you can expect when you load up the game today:
- Dynamic Environments: The Nest features shifting layout mechanics. After surviving the starting zone, your path will randomly morph between the Infested Labs or the Hot Zone, before funnelling you into the terrifying Feeding Trough.
- The Endless Mode: Think you’re a master climber? Beating The Nest region unlocks an entirely new Endless Mode to truly test your reflexes and endurance against global leaderboards.
- Terrifying New Denizens: It’s not just the height you have to worry about anymore. The jungle is crawling with creepy new threats, including Spider Swarmers, packs of Grub Ants, and shambling, zombie-like Barnacle Zombies.
- New Tools of the Trade: To help combat the horde, the update introduces The Handgun (a much-needed bit of firepower), new Signal Orchids to hang on to, and powerful new artefacts like The Rapier and The Barnacle Hook.
Note to Climbers: White Knuckle is currently in Steam Early Access with a full 1.0 release slated for 2027. If you haven’t picked it up yet, the developers have warned that the game will see a price increase following the upcoming Steam sales, making today the perfect time to grab it at a discount!
Watch the New Trailer
The newly released trailer perfectly highlights the frantic balance between tight platforming and absolute panic. Watch as the developer expands White Knuckle in a wild, creature-filled direction that elevates the tension to a whole new level:
White Knuckle: The Nest Update is live right now on Steam. Grab your gear, watch your stamina, and whatever you do… don’t look down.
Find out more here












