Uncover the dark mystery of Velvet Island in Retrofiction Games new 2D survival horror, Dead of Darkness. Dead of Darkness got its debut trailer during the Horror Game Awards, giving viewers a glimpse into its dark and hostile world.
Dead of Darkness is a two-dimensional take on classic survival horror with a heavy emphasis on puzzle-solving and dark thematic storytelling. Players follow PI Miles Windham, who visits Velvet Island to investigate the death of his daughter. However, shortly after arriving, Miles begins a desperate struggle for his survival.
Miles must navigate hostile residents, grotesque creatures hungry for flesh, deadly traps, and his own diminishing sanity to uncover the disturbing secret that lies at the heart of the island. Players should be cautious when facing off against enemies: each encounter takes a toll on your mental state. The lower Miles’ mental state becomes, the stronger the hallucinations will become, blurring the lines of reality and fiction.
Dead of Darkness will include a ‘Clue’ system. Here, vital pieces of information must be used or combined in conjunction with other items. This information may come from one of 15 characters, each with their own story that connects around the dark secret of Velvet Island.
The retro pixel aesthetic of the game will also feature voice acting from Bradley Gareth (My Time at Portia), Abigail Turner (Remothered: Broken Porcelain), and Paul Moran (Warhammer 40,000).
Dead of Darkness will launch to PC via Steam on January 23, 2025. A console version for PlayStation 4/5, Nintendo Switch and Xbox X|S from Eastasiasoft will release at a later date.
Check out the rest of our Horror Game Awards coverage here.