Indie developer Rat Cliff Games has announced that their upcoming metafictional horror game Among Ashes will officially launch on December 9. The title will be available for PC via Steam and will also make its way to PlayStation 5, expanding its reach to console players.
Set in the early 2000s, Among Ashes takes players into a unique blend of retro survival horror and modern psychological terror. The game begins innocently enough, as players receive a mysterious link to a haunted video game called Night Call. However, as the in-game horrors unfold, players will notice strange and unsettling occurrences bleeding into their real-world surroundings.
The innovative concept behind Among Ashes is its layered gameplay. Within the overarching narrative, players experience a fully realized retro-style first-person survival horror game, Night Call. The setting is Stoker Manor, a decrepit and eerie estate where players solve intricate puzzles and fend off grotesque creatures lurking in its shadowy halls. But that’s not all—outside the game, dark entities seem to invade the real world, forcing players to piece together the chilling mystery of Night Call and its enigmatic creator.
A defining feature of Among Ashes is its metafictional approach, blending two distinct yet interconnected gameplay experiences. It masterfully captures the early-2000s aesthetic, evoking nostalgia for a bygone era of gaming while layering it with eerie surprises, unique puzzles, and innovative mechanics. Players are tasked not just with surviving but also uncovering the secrets of a game that seems to transcend its digital boundaries.
The announcement of the PlayStation 5 port alongside the PC release comes with a new trailer that teases the game’s unsettling atmosphere and thrilling gameplay. Fans of retro horror titles and psychological thrillers are likely to be drawn to its gripping narrative and immersive presentation.
Rat Cliff Games promises that Among Ashes will deliver an unforgettable experience that combines nostalgia with cutting-edge storytelling. With its distinctive metafictional framing, this title is shaping up to be a standout entry in the indie horror genre.
