TECHMASH

Tag: #IndieHorror

  • Shift From Hell: Victor’s Video Vault Rewrites 90s Nostalgia Into Reality-Bending Horror

    Shift From Hell: Victor’s Video Vault Rewrites 90s Nostalgia Into Reality-Bending Horror

    If you grew up in the ‘90s, few places felt more magical than the local video rental store. The hum of CRT televisions playing movie trailers on loop, the distinctive plastic snap of VHS clamshell cases, and the rows upon rows of colourful tape spines promised a perfect Friday night.

    But what if the doors locked behind you, the last customer went home, and the midnight shift turned into a literal fight for survival?

    Enter Victor’s Video Vault, an upcoming first-person horror experience developed by Stingbot Games that takes the cosy nostalgia of a 1995 video store and twistedly bends it into a nightmare. With a brand-new demo manifesting on PC via Steam, horror fans and retro enthusiasts alike are in for an analogue thrill ride.

    The Final Rental Rewrites Reality

    In Victor’s Video Vault, you take on the role of a lone night-shift employee. Your initial tasks are routine enough—organise the shelves, answer movie trivia, and wrap up the day. However, once the clock strikes midnight and the store locks down, the true terror begins.

    The core premise of the game hinges on a terrifyingly cool mechanic: the last movie rented before closing rewrites the store’s reality. Each night shifts into a completely different horror genre depending on the tape that left the store:

    • The Flooded Aisles: One night, the floor turns into rising, murky water, forcing you to wade through sub-aquatic horror while something stalks you from beneath the surface.
    • Sci-Fi Outbreak: The next shift, a crashed alien vessel converts the familiar plastic aisles into a living, pulsing hive.

    Every film brings its own logic, layout, physics, and rules. To make it through to sunrise, you can’t just hide—you have to learn the rules of the genre, solve environmental puzzles, and adapt to a store that actively breaks down around you.

    Tactile 90s Immersion Meets Psychological Dread

    Beyond its reality-warping mechanics, Victor’s Video Vault nails the nostalgic, tactile atmosphere. The game balances crisp first-person exploration with a retro, hand-crafted pixel art style and authentic 1990s aesthetic. Everything from snap-case sound effects to the warm glow of flickering monitors grounds you in a physical, analogue space before throwing you into pure tension-driven dread.

    Adding to the mystery is Archive Mode, a separate, highly replayable mode set five years earlier in 1990. Here, players dive into the Vault’s initial outbreaks, logging anomalies in “Victor’s Journal” and uncovering hidden rooms and “deleted scenes” lurking beneath the surface.

    Think You Can Make It to Morning?

    Stingbot Games has made a brand-new demo available on PC via Steam, giving players their first taste of the VHS-fueled horror before the store opens its doors full-time.

    Victor’s Video Vault is shaping up to be one of the most inventive indie horror titles on the horizon. Do you have what it takes to survive the shift, or will you end up on the “Be Kind, Rewind” pile? Head over to Steam, add it to your wishlist, and test your wits in the demo today!

    Find out more here

    #VictorsVideoVault #HorrorGames #IndieHorror #RetroHorror #VHSHorror #SteamGames #PCGaming #GamingNews #TechMash

  • Feathered Panic! LINE Games Announces First Steam Playtest for Co-Op Horror ‘QUIET’

    Feathered Panic! LINE Games Announces First Steam Playtest for Co-Op Horror ‘QUIET’

    If you think surviving a stealth horror game is tough, try doing it as a clumsy alien duck.

    Publisher LINE Games has officially announced that the first public Steam Playtest for their upcoming comedy co-op horror title, QUIET, will kick off on August 3rd, 2026. Registrations are open right now, giving players a chance to jump into the feathered mayhem early and test their survival instincts.

    Here is everything you need to know about this hilariously tense new entry into the co-op horror genre.

    What is QUIET?

    In QUIET, you and up to three friends play as a crew of cute alien ducks who have crash-landed on Earth. Your spaceship is in desperate need of repairs, and by sheer coincidence, the quaint nearby house contains all the spare parts you need to get home.

    The catch? The homeowner happens to be a terrifying, hyper-vigilant monster (a menacing boss grandmother) who can hear every single sound you make.

    To survive and escape, you’ll need to work together with your flock, scavenge the house for ship components, and navigate treacherous rooms filled with physics-based hazards. But remember—alien ducks aren’t exactly known for keeping their cool under pressure.

    Key Game Features

    • Proximity & Real-World Mic Audio: Every sound matters. Walking too fast, dropping items, panic-screaming into your microphone, or making noise in real life can betray your position to the homeowner.
    • Physics-Based Chaos: Grab what you need, but don’t carry more than you can handle! Knocking over household objects will instantly draw unwanted attention to your flock.
    • 1–4 Player Co-Op: Safety in numbers? Not necessarily. Survival requires communication and stealth, but one accidental quack or clumsy mistake from a single teammate can doom the entire squad.

    How to Join the Playtest

    The upcoming playtest on August 3rd will give players their first hands-on look at Stage 1, alongside the game’s core co-op gameplay mode. LINE Games plans to gather player feedback from this test to polish the title ahead of its planned global release later this year.

    Getting access is simple:

    1. Head over to the QUIET store page on Steam.
    2. Scroll down to the “Join the QUIET Playtest” banner.
    3. Click “Request Access.”

    Once the playtest goes live on August 3rd, selected players will receive an email notification granting them entry to the test build.

    Are You Ready to Stay Quiet?

    Gather your flock, check your microphones, and get ready to waddle carefully—because in QUIET, the walls definitely have ears!

    Find out more here

    #QUIETGame #LINEGames #CoOpHorror #SteamPlaytest #PCGaming #GamingNews #IndieHorror #TechMash

  • Clock In If You Dare: Indie Horror ‘Nightmare Shift’ Brings Motelling Madness to Consoles Soon!

    Clock In If You Dare: Indie Horror ‘Nightmare Shift’ Brings Motelling Madness to Consoles Soon!

    If you’ve ever worked a late-night shift, you already know how eerie quiet hallways and flickering fluorescent lights can be. But indie developer Binary Lunar and publisher Ultimate Games S.A. are taking that midnight paranoia to a whole new level with Nightmare Shift—a chilling indie psychological horror experience making its way to current-gen consoles this summer!

    Already creeping out PC players on Steam, this atmospheric thriller is officially expanding its reach. Mark your calendars: Nightmare Shift arrives on Xbox Series X|S on July 30, followed by a PlayStation 5 release on August 13.

    Routine Duties Meets Absolute Madness

    In Nightmare Shift, you step into the shoes of Emma Carter, a young woman embarking on late-night shifts at a remote motel. At first glance, the job seems straightforward enough—answering phone calls, stocking rooms, and dealing with late-night check-ins.

    However, routine quickly turns into a nightmare:

    • Unsettling Guests & Mysterious Visitors: Not everyone checking into the motel is looking for a restful night’s sleep. You’ll have to navigate encounters with erratic, eerie guests whose true motives remain dangerously unclear.
    • No Escape, Even at Home: The horror doesn’t stop when you clock out. Emma’s home life and apartment become just as claustrophobic and unsettling, leaving her—and you—wondering if she is truly alone or being watched.
    • Reality vs. Paranoia: Drawing stylistic inspiration from cinematic thrillers (such as the 2018 South Korean thriller Door Lock), the game weaves a slow-burn narrative where everyday tasks hide deep psychological terror. Is it stress, or is something sinister lurking in the shadows?

    Cinematic Storytelling and Multiple Endings

    Mechanically, Nightmare Shift combines walking simulator exploration with environmental puzzle-solving and atmospheric storytelling. Beyond its haunting visual atmosphere and immersive sound design, one of the standout elements is its branching narrative structure.

    Every choice you make and clue you uncover pushes Emma toward different conclusions. With multiple endings to unlock, the game offers high replayability for horror fans determined to uncover the whole truth behind the motel’s dark secrets.

    Release Dates & Availability

    Ready to see if you can survive the night shift? Here is when you can grab it:

    • Xbox Series X|S: July 30
    • PlayStation 5: August 13
    • PC (Steam / Itch.io): Available Now

    Whether you’re playing on PC or waiting to turn down the lights on console, Nightmare Shift promises a short, sharp dose of psychological dread that will make you rethink taking that graveyard shift.

    Will you be checking into the motel this summer, or are you staying far away from the night shift? Let us know in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #NightmareShift #IndieHorror #HorrorGames #XboxSeriesX #PS5 #GamingNews #TechMash #PsychologicalHorror #SteamGames

  • Step into the Dark: Ancient Witchcraft and Psychological Terror Await in ‘Escape From Umbra’

    Step into the Dark: Ancient Witchcraft and Psychological Terror Await in ‘Escape From Umbra’

    Indie horror fans, it is time to charge your batteries and prepare for a serious spike in your heart rate. Veteran independent studio WildSphere—the brilliant minds behind the terrifying Oxide Room 104—has officially unleashed its latest nightmare onto the world.

    Their highly anticipated survival horror and puzzle title, Escape From Umbra, is now available for purchase across all major console and PC digital platforms. If you have been looking for a horror game that prioritises thick, suffocating atmosphere and clever puzzle-solving over mindless jump scares, this is the one to put on your radar.

    The Nightmare of Umbra’s Domain

    Escape From Umbra drops you headfirst into a dark, psychological thriller inspired by ancient mountain witch legends. What was supposed to be a happy birthday getaway in a vacation home quickly devolves into a terrifying reality. You find yourself trapped in a labyrinthine, fog-drenched village inspired by the real-world mountain towns of Las Alpujarras, painstakingly brought to life in gorgeous, eerie detail via Unreal Engine 5.

    The catch? The village is ruled by a relentless witch named Umbra, who is actively hunting you down to consume your soul.

    True “Escape Room” Mechanics

    WildSphere is completely stripping away the traditional video game safety nets here. You won’t find floating backpacks, oversized HUDs, or artificial inventory screens. Escape From Umbra plays out like a literal 3D escape room.

    You must physically investigate the environment, manipulate objects in 3D space, and piece together how to use them to break out of each area. Your only guide is a cryptic journal filled with riddles and logic-based clues. You will have to rely entirely on your own wits to find a path to freedom.

    Friend or Foe? The Mechanics of the Dark

    Surviving the village requires masterfully balancing your very limited resources:

    • The Flashlight: Your beam illuminates the pitch-black streets and can unleash a powerful burst of energy to temporarily blind the spectres patrolling the town. However, light attracts unwanted attention, and your battery life is always ticking down.
    • The Shadow Creatures: The witch’s spectres are alert to the slightest hint of light. If you hear the roots of the village creaking, you need to kill your flashlight, break the line of sight, and hide immediately.
    • The Black Cats: In a world filled with shifting shadows and frozen magic mirrors, keep an eye out for enigmatic black cats. When you see them, trust them—they serve as your guide through the darkness.

    Next-Gen Immersion: If you are playing on the PlayStation 5, the game takes immersion to a whole new level. The flashlight mechanics utilize adaptive triggers for added realism, and there are no on-screen health or danger indicators. Instead, the controller’s haptic feedback transmits your character’s heartbeat directly to your hands—accelerating chaotically as your only radar when danger is closing in.

    Out Now on All Platforms

    Whether you prefer PC gaming or couch-crusading on consoles, WildSphere has you covered. Escape From Umbra has launched simultaneously on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Steam, and GOG.

    If you are still on the fence about whether you can handle the dark, a limited-time 10-15 minute playable demo is currently available on Steam and GOG so you can test your nerves before you buy.

    Do you have what it takes to decipher the clues, avoid the witch, and escape the shadows? Grab your copy today and find out.

    Find out more here

    #EscapeFromUmbra #WildSphere #IndieHorror #SurvivalHorror #PuzzleGames #GamingNews #TechMash #HorrorGaming

  • Step Behind the Lens: Psychological Horror ‘SOMBRAS: negative frames’ Announces Closed Playtest

    Step Behind the Lens: Psychological Horror ‘SOMBRAS: negative frames’ Announces Closed Playtest

    Get your cameras ready, horror fans. Developer Maboroshi Artworks and publisher Entalto Publishing have officially announced an exclusive Closed Playtest for their highly anticipated upcoming title, SOMBRAS: negative frames.

    If you miss the eerie vibe of classic psychological thrillers and have a soft spot for retro-inspired aesthetics, this is a development project you’ll want on your radar.

    A Nostalgic, Mechanics-Driven Nightmare

    SOMBRAS: negative frames is a first-person narrative adventure that seamlessly blends light horror elements with a unique, mechanics-driven photography system.

    Instead of relying on cheap jump scares, the game invites players to immerse themselves in a deeply atmospheric world where the camera lens is your primary tool for survival and discovery. You’ll be stepping into a nostalgic, stylised environment where developing the perfect shot is the only way to solve mind-bending puzzles and uncover the dark narrative lurking in the shadows.

    What to Expect from the Closed Playtest

    This exclusive playtest gives selected players a rare, early look at the game’s core mechanics and haunting atmosphere before the official launch. Participants will be able to:

    • Experience the Atmosphere: Get a first-hand taste of the game’s distinct visual style and tense, brooding audio design.
    • Master the Photography System: Test out the unique camera mechanics that drive both the story and the gameplay.
    • Solve Early Puzzles: Put your problem-solving skills to the test with an array of environmental puzzles designed to challenge your perception.
    • Provide Vital Feedback: Directly influence the final polish of the game by sharing your thoughts with the development team.

    Whether you’re a photography enthusiast, a narrative adventure buff, or just love a good atmospheric thrill, this closed playtest is the perfect opportunity to see how Maboroshi Artworks is redefining indie psychological horror.

    How to Sign Up

    Spaces for the exclusive Closed Playtest are limited. Head over to the official Steam page or keep a close eye on Entalto Publishing’s social media channels to secure your spot and be among the very first to step into the negative frames.

    Find out more here

    #SombrasNegativeFrames #IndieHorror #GamingNews #MaboroshiArtworks #EntaltoPublishing #PCGaming #SteamPlaytest #HorrorGames #TechMash

  • JanduSoft Welcomes Carlos Azuaga for 1980s Slasher Horror ‘Yellowcreek Stories: The Cabin Watcher’

    JanduSoft Welcomes Carlos Azuaga for 1980s Slasher Horror ‘Yellowcreek Stories: The Cabin Watcher’

    If you grew up renting dusty VHS tapes of classic 1980s slasher films or spent your weekends hiding behind a blanket during Friday the 13th, you’ll want to pay close attention.

    Indie publisher JanduSoft has officially announced an exciting new partnership, expanding their family by teaming up with talented Spanish solo developer Carlos Azuaga. Together, they are diving headfirst into the dark world of retro survival horror.

    Their first collaborative project? A tense, atmospheric nightmare titled Yellowcreek Stories: The Cabin Watcher.

    The Retro Terror Begins This August

    Mark your calendars for August 6, 2026. That is when Yellowcreek Stories: The Cabin Watcher officially launches across a massive range of platforms, including Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

    The game acts as the brutal first entry in a planned horror anthology series, heavily inspired by the golden era of teenage-slashing cinema.

    Can You Survive the Night?

    Set during a stormy night in a remote mountain cabin, The Cabin Watcher sets up a classic, terrifying premise: Someone is watching you. A masked killer is actively stalking the area, and they aren’t just following a pre-set path. This first-person stealth horror game features a killer that reacts directly to your behaviour. To survive this intense 60-to-90-minute experience, players will have to master a few critical mechanics:

    • Noise Management: Every single action matters. Footsteps, opening doors, or clumsy mistakes will immediately draw the killer to your location.
    • Light Control: Your flashlight is your best friend for navigating the dark, but it’s also a beacon for the psychopath hunting you.
    • Movement & Hiding: Sprinting is high-risk. If you are spotted, you’re already behind. It’s a game of careful steps, quick hiding, and keeping your cool under immense pressure.

    With a minimal HUD to maximise immersion, no combat to bail you out, and absolutely no second chances, Yellowcreek Stories promises pure, unadulterated tension without any filler.

    A Match Made in Horror Heaven

    JanduSoft has expressed massive thrills over welcoming Carlos Azuaga to the publisher’s lineup. For indie horror fans, a solo-developed project backed by an experienced publisher like JanduSoft means we can expect a polished, deeply passionate tribute to the genre.

    “Remember those horror movies you used to rent on VHS? Now it’s your turn to survive one.”

    Get ready to live your own 80s horror movie when Yellowcreek Stories: The Cabin Watcher drops on PC and current-gen consoles this August!

    Are you ready to face the Cabin Watcher? Let us know in the comments below which platform you’ll be playing on!

    Find out more here

    #TechMash #YellowcreekStories #TheCabinWatcher #JanduSoft #CarlosAzuaga #IndieHorror #SlasherHorror #80sHorror #GamingNews #PS5 #XboxSeriesX #SteamGames #SurvivalHorror

  • Digging Into Danger: Why Subterranean Horror ‘MOLE’ Is Steam’s Latest Overwhelmingly Positive Obsession

    Digging Into Danger: Why Subterranean Horror ‘MOLE’ Is Steam’s Latest Overwhelmingly Positive Obsession

    The indie horror scene has a new champion, and it’s buried miles beneath the Earth’s surface.

    Developed by Off Black Creations and published by Oro Interactive, the claustrophobic psychological horror simulator MOLE launched on Steam to massive critical acclaim. Within just its first two weeks, the title has struck absolute gold, rocketing to a spectacular 97% “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating with more than 1,500 user reviews.

    If you loved the tactile dread of Iron Lung or the narrative mind-bending of Mouthwashing, MOLE is your next mandatory descent into madness.

    What is MOLE?

    Set beneath post-war Slavic soil, MOLE puts you in the boots of the Navigator aboard a monstrous, deep-bore drilling machine. The setup is elegantly terrifying: your crew has entirely vanished, the vessel is dead silent, and a strange, haunting signal keeps broadcasting from the deep.

    Your objective? Keep the colossal machine running at all costs.

    Why is the Steam Community Obsessed?

    Achieving a 97% positive rating on Steam during a launch window is no small feat. Reviewers and players are praising MOLE for its masterclass execution in a few key areas:

    • Incredibly Tactile, Analogue Mechanics: Everything in your drilling “coffin” is manual. You aren’t just clicking menus; you are throwing heavy levers, managing clunky ’00s-style interfaces, slipping cassettes into decks, and typing directly into creepy operating systems. The sheer clunkiness of the machinery amplifies the panic when things inevitably go wrong.
    • Atmosphere Over Cheap Scares: While there are plenty of pulse-pounding moments, MOLE excels at psychological dread. The sound design is phenomenal—every creak of the hull feels like the Earth crushing you to a smear.
    • A Haunting Narrative: As you dig deeper into the crust, you dig into the protagonist’s fractured memories. It’s a short, highly polished, 4-to-5-hour narrative that balances terrifying set pieces with deeply emotional, heart-wrenching trauma.

    The Verdict

    Off Black Creations (a four-person Swedish studio consisting of former AAA developers) promised to challenge expectations with an obsessively polished, weekend-length game as art—and they delivered. Backed by Oro Interactive’s knack for publishing wonderfully bizarre indie gems, MOLE is cementing itself as one of the definitive indie horror hits of the year.

    If you are ready to find out whether the vessel or your mind will break first, MOLE is available now on PC via Steam. Don’t sleep on this one—just make sure to leave a light on.

    Find out more here

    #MOLEGame #IndieHorror #SteamGaming #OffBlackCreations #OroInteractive #PCGaming #GamingNews #PsychologicalHorror #TechMash

  • Feed the Beast, Feed Your Fears: Cosmic Horror Sim ‘FEED IT’ Hits Steam This August!

    Feed the Beast, Feed Your Fears: Cosmic Horror Sim ‘FEED IT’ Hits Steam This August!

    Get ready to test the limits of your sanity, because indie developer Games On A Chair and publisher Pretty Soon have officially announced that their tension-fueled psychological horror game, FEED IT, is launching on Steam on August 17th!

    As the debut commercial release from Games On A Chair, FEED IT drops players into a claustrophobic nightmare built around a simple, terrifying premise: you are trapped in a house with an insatiable, ever-hungry monster.

    To survive, you’ll have to keep the beast fed. But as resources dwindle and the creature’s demands grow more unsettling, managing its hunger becomes a gruelling psychological battle. It’s a frantic race against time to maintain your grip on reality, manage your terror, and solve the mysteries of the house before you become the next meal.

    Key Features to Look Forward To:

    • The Hunger Mechanic: A dynamic AI monster whose mood and behaviour shift based on how—and what—you feed it.
    • Sanity Management: The environment twists and distorts as your fear grows, making it harder to distinguish reality from hallucination.
    • Escape Room Elements: Scavenge for clues, manage your scarce resources, and find a way out before your luck runs out.

    Whether you’re a fan of tense resource management or deeply unsettling cosmic horror, FEED IT promises a uniquely stressful indie experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

    Mark your calendars for August 17th and head over to Steam to add it to your wishlist today. Just remember: whatever you do, don’t let the bowls go empty.

    Find out more here

    #FeedItGame #IndieHorror #GamingNews #SteamGames #GamesOnAChair #PrettySoon #HorrorGaming #PCGaming #TechMash

  • Cosmic Horror Meets Management Simulation: Life & Shadow: Celestial Call – Prologue Launches July 10

    Cosmic Horror Meets Management Simulation: Life & Shadow: Celestial Call – Prologue Launches July 10

    Indie publisher PlayWay S.A. and developer Immeta Studios have officially announced that a free prologue for their upcoming psychological cosmic horror title, Life & Shadow: Celestial Call, is set to launch on Steam on July 10, 2026.

    Blending day-to-day resource management with a slowly mounting sense of dread, the game offers a unique twist on the survival horror genre.

    Check out what to expect from the isolated peaks of Mount Clearveil below.

    Answer the Call of the Stars

    In Life & Shadow: Celestial Call, players step into the shoes of an intern arriving at the isolated Mount Clearveil observatory. You were supposed to be welcomed by the brilliant Professor Elias, but the facility is completely silent, the equipment is scattered, and something is deeply wrong.

    The game tasks players with a strict day-and-night gameplay loop where science and madness constantly collide:

    • By Day: Manage the observatory’s systems. You’ll handle standard simulator tasks like analysing celestial data, maintaining old equipment, collecting trash, and even harvesting crops to keep the facility operational.
    • By Night: As darkness falls, the atmosphere shifts completely. Players must explore the unsettling depths beneath the basement, follow the trail of Professor Elias’s forbidden star rituals, and struggle to keep the lights on to maintain their sanity.

    What’s Included in the Free Prologue?

    The upcoming release on July 10 isn’t just a basic demo; it’s a dedicated introductory experience designed to give players a substantial look at the game’s mechanics and narrative tension.

    • 1.5 Hours of Story-Driven Gameplay: Dive straight into the tense opening act of the narrative.
    • Fully Functioning Save System: Progress saves every time your character sleeps, letting you face the escalating tension day by day.
    • Uncover the First Secrets: Take your first steps into the dark past of Dr. Elias and glimpse what lies beyond the stars.

    If you enjoy atmospheric indie horror that values pacing, environmental storytelling, and psychological unease over cheap jump scares, this is definitely one to keep on your radar.

    Life & Shadow: Celestial Call – Prologue will be free to play on PC via Steam starting July 10. You can head over to Steam right now to check out the official page and add the main game to your wishlist.

    Find out more here

    #LifeAndShadow #CelestialCall #ImmetaStudios #PlayWay #IndieHorror #CosmicHorror #GamingNews #PCGaming #SteamGames #TechMash

  • Enter the Yellow Maze: Liminal Backrooms Drops Terrifying New Co-Op Gameplay Trailer

    Enter the Yellow Maze: Liminal Backrooms Drops Terrifying New Co-Op Gameplay Trailer

    If you thought you were done losing your mind to the hum of fluorescent lights and moist yellow carpets, think again. The internet’s favourite creepypasta nightmare is coming back to the gaming world in a big way. Independent developer The Unknown Studio has officially released a brand-new gameplay trailer for their highly anticipated upcoming title, Liminal Backrooms.

    With the recent buzz surrounding A24’s big-screen adaptation of the Backrooms, interest in liminal horror is at an all-time high—and this game looks ready to deliver the definitive co-op experience.

    Check out what we know so far and what the new trailer reveals.

    The Setup: From Offshore Rig to Level 0

    Unlike some Backrooms games that just drop you into the maze without context, Liminal Backrooms kicks off with a narrative hook.

    The story begins on an abandoned offshore platform, where a specialised response team is dispatched to investigate a sudden power failure. Naturally, things go sideways fast. As soon as communication with the outside world drops, the team finds themselves entirely cut off from reality—waking up in the sickeningly familiar, endless halls of Level 0.

    The new trailer shifts the focus heavily onto core gameplay mechanics, giving us a claustrophobic look at how you and your friends will survive the madness. Watch it below:

    Key Gameplay Features: Cooperate or Clip Through Reality

    Liminal Backrooms isn’t just a walking simulator. It’s built around three core pillars: exploration, puzzle-solving, and survival. Here is what you can expect when you step into the yellow void:

    • Rule-Based Levels: Every level in the game is designed around its own distinct mechanics, rules, and ecological dangers. You won’t just be running; you’ll need to actively observe, communicate, and learn the logic of each space to survive.
    • Environmental Puzzles: Players must interact with the environment by turning valves, pulling levers, and searching for hidden clues to unlock new areas.
    • Proximity-Based Tension: The trailer highlights just how easily a team can get separated. With entities exhibiting vastly different AI behaviours, a single mistake or a miscommunicated callout can put your entire group at risk.
    FeatureWhat We Know
    DeveloperThe Unknown Studio
    GenreCo-op Survival Horror / Liminal Space
    PlatformPC (Steam)
    Core LoopsExploration, Valve/Lever Puzzles, Entity Evading

    Ready to Lose Your Sanity?

    Liminal Backrooms is shaping up to be an absolute must-play for fans of atmospheric, high-tension horror. If you and your squad think you have the communication skills to navigate Level 0 without turning on each other, you can head over to Steam right now to check out the screenshots and get it on your radar.

    Liminal Backrooms is officially available to wishlist on Steam now.

    Are you ready to face the entities, or are you staying firmly in the real world? Let us know in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #LiminalBackrooms #BackroomsGame #TheUnknownStudio #CoOpHorror #IndieHorror #LiminalSpaces #PCGaming #SteamWishlist #GamingNews #TechMash

  • Lo-Fi Horror Fans, Rejoice: The New Trailer for ‘Encryptid’ Just Dropped (and Yes, It’s Coming to Game Boy)

    Lo-Fi Horror Fans, Rejoice: The New Trailer for ‘Encryptid’ Just Dropped (and Yes, It’s Coming to Game Boy)

    If you’ve been craving a horror game that feels like a dusty, cursed VHS tape you found in a haunted attic, developer Autumn Knight has got you covered. The creative mind behind the unsettling FMV hit Morph Girl and the brilliantly atmospheric Dark Nights with Poe & Munro has just unleashed the newest trailer for their upcoming psychological horror title, Encryptid.

    And trust us, it is a glorious, glitchy slice of retro dread.

    Nostalgia Meets True Terror

    The latest trailer gives us a deeper look into Encryptid’s eerie, lo-fi aesthetic. Knight has a proven track record of mastering unique storytelling mediums, and this project looks to be their most ambitious genre-blend yet. The atmosphere is thick with analogue paranoia, dripping with the kind of psychological tension that lingers long after you turn the screen off.

    But the biggest talking point? The platforms.

    Encryptid is officially set to release in 2026, and it’s pulling off a brilliant dual-release strategy. It will be launching on:

    • PC (for that crisp, modern indie horror experience)
    • The Original Nintendo Game Boy (because nothing says “creepy” quite like 4-bit green-scale pixels on a handheld screen from 1989)

    Check out the Trailer

    While the trailer leaves plenty of the narrative shrouded in mystery, the sound design alone is enough to give you goosebumps. It perfectly captures that distinct “lost media” vibe that indie horror devs have been perfecting, but with Knight’s signature narrative depth guiding the ship.

    Whether you’re planning to experience the scares on a high-end gaming rig or dust off your old handheld hardware for the ultimate nostalgic fright night, Encryptid is shaping up to be one of 2026’s most unique indie standouts.

    Keep your eyes peeled to TechMash for more updates, release dates, and physical edition news as we get closer to launch!

    Source – https://s.team/a/4242890

    #Encryptid #IndieHorror #GameBoy #RetroGaming #AutumnKnight

  • From Dread Delusion to Demonic Incursion: DreadXP Shadowdrops Demo for Gritty New RPG ‘Entropy’

    From Dread Delusion to Demonic Incursion: DreadXP Shadowdrops Demo for Gritty New RPG ‘Entropy’

    The masters of low-poly surrealism are back to ruin your sleep schedule, and this time, they’ve brought friends.

    The world-crafting mavens at developer Lovely Hellplace (the brilliant minds behind the critically acclaimed Dread Delusion) have teamed up yet again with the horror-slingers at publisher DreadXP. Without warning, the duo shadowdropped a free Steam demo for their upcoming dark fantasy RPG, Entropy.

    If that surprise drop wasn’t enough to get your blood pumping, they’ve also revealed that we won’t have to wait long for the full nightmare: Entropy is officially slashing its way into Steam Early Access on August 18, 2026.

    Welcome to Draenog: A Dying World

    Forget flashy, world-ending meteors or sudden nuclear strikes. The post-apocalyptic setting of Entropy is far more depressing and insidious. In this dying age, humanity is simply fading out due to the cruel march of time and an inexplicable global infertility. The remaining pockets of civilisation are squalid, medieval, and ruled by ruthless tyrants.

    The game kicks off in a town called Draenog, where your character is in the middle of putting on a theatre performance. Naturally, because this is a Lovely Hellplace game, the play is abruptly interrupted by demons crashing the gates. Armed with nothing but a wooden prop sword, you have to gather your acting troupe and fight for your lives.

    “Target enemy limbs, severing and weakening your foes in Entropy’s engrossing tactical turn-based combat… feel free to get creative.”

    Classic JRPG Strategy Meets PSX-Style Horror

    While Dread Delusion won hearts with its first-person exploration, Entropy pivots into a tactical, turn-based RPG inspired by classic JRPGs. It weaves its dark fantasy narrative through a beautifully nostalgic, low-poly PSX aesthetic.

    Key Features to Expect:

    • Tactical Turn-Based Combat: Command a party of up to six characters. Use strategy to target and sever specific enemy limbs to weaken your foes.
    • Disposable Allies: You’ll hire mercenaries to fill out your squad. They are highly expendable—if they fall in battle, just use your hard-earned treasure to hire fresh meat.
    • An Expansive Retro World: Travel across an expansive world map, explore towns filled with colourful (and deeply troubled) characters, and hunt for hidden treasures.
    • Deep Progression: Level up your party, customise stats, unlock new perks, and gear up with powerful magic and weaponry.

    Play the Demo Today!

    The surprise Steam demo gives players a unique sneak peek into the opening hours of the game. To keep things fast and fun, the developers have tweaked the demo’s balancing to give players streamlined access to stronger weapons and magic that you’d normally only unlock later in the journey.

    If you loved the vibrant, unsettling atmosphere of Dread Delusion and want to see how that signature style translates into a gritty, tactical JRPG wrapper, head over to Steam and download the Entropy demo right now.

    Entropy launches into Steam Early Access on August 18, 2026.

    Source – https://s.team/a/3940340

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