Haunted Lands is an upcoming indie game on Steam inspired by some of the most iconic gems of the 80s and 90s, and it could be the perfect pick for anyone craving that classic DOS-era gameplay. Developed by a solo creator, Haunted Lands stands as another Steam indie shaped entirely by one person’s vision and taste. What truly makes the title especially intriguing for retro fans, however, is the source of its inspiration.
Developer Alexey Goryachev, also known as Alevgor, explained their motivation for creating Haunted Lands, saying, “I used to design new monsters and levels for my favorite games, creating imaginary worlds that are now coming to life in [my upcoming game].” An earlier version of the indie title, called the Burial Grounds build, was released on Itch.io in 2023 and received positive feedback from fans of retro-inspired games. “The prototype of Haunted Lands was warmly received, which motivated me even more,” the developer recalled. Since then, Haunted Lands has evolved into a more polished 2D platformer, while staying true to its original inspiration.
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Haunted Lands Started as a Spiritual Sequel to Dangerous Dave
A quick look at any level in Haunted Lands will likely remind retro game fans of one classic DOS-era title: Dangerous Dave in the Haunted Mansion. The second game in the series, Dangerous Dave in the Haunted Mansion, was an action-oriented platformer developed by some of the industry’s most respected figures, John Romero, Tom Hall, Adrian Carmack, and John Carmack, co-founders of id Software and creators of franchises like DOOM.
According to Alevgor, Haunted Lands began as a casual side project, intended as a spiritual, fan-made sequel to the Dangerous Dave IP. As development progressed, however, the project grew into a standalone 2D platformer. “At first, it was a small tribute to Dangerous Dave, but the more I worked on it, the more I realized its potential,” said Alevgor.
Apparently, Dangerous Dave wasn’t the only influence behind Haunted Lands. Alevgor also cites three other classic 80s and 90s games that have shaped their vision: DOOM, Contra Hard Corps, and the first two Diablo installments. These titles, Alevgor explains, taught them how to craft a dark, horror-driven atmosphere using simple pixel-art visuals while blending it seamlessly with dynamic gameplay.
The Game Has Evolved Into a Much Bigger Project, Developer Says
Haunted Lands lets players choose from six distinct heroes across three classes: Gunners, Mages, and Beasts. Each class offers unique abilities, including special moves and utilities, allowing players to find a playstyle that suits them. The game also adds a twist to the straightforward gameplay of Dangerous Dave with “artifacts,” collectibles that enhance each hero’s abilities as they progress.
Haunted Lands lets players choose from six distinct heroes across three classes: Gunners, Mages, and Beasts.
Haunted Lands also features numerous hidden secrets and objectives, boosting its replayability. Developer Alevgor encourages retro-game fans seeking extra challenge to try completing 100% of the game. “Dare you descend into the very abyss of hell and come back unscathed?” they teased. Players can also face several boss fights to test their skills. Despite these additions, the fundamental gameplay loop remains familiar: enter a map, defeat all hostile creatures, earn a score, and move on to the next chapter.
Haunted Lands Now Has an Official Release Date
Fans of retro games on Steam have a reason to be excited: Haunted Lands is set to release on March 10, 2026. While the price hasn’t been listed yet, it’s expected to be affordable given the indie nature of the game. A launch promotion may also offer a temporary discount, as is common with many Steam releases. For those unsure if Haunted Lands is worth their money, a free demo is available on Steam. It provides a hands-on preview of the early levels, giving players a good sense of whether the game suits their tastes.
