A game called Lost in Anomaly, which channels The Exit 8, is currently free to claim on Steam for all users, though the offer ends soon on February 16. Back in 2023, The Exit 8 gained huge popularity among fans of psychological horror games on Steam, largely thanks to its eerie premise and puzzle-focused gameplay.
Since then, many games have tried to recreate the same formula, with Lost in Anomaly being a clear example. Few have managed to reach the same level of success, though. The Exit 8 boasts thousands of positive reviews on Steam and has even received a live-action adaptation. Still, some Exit 8-inspired escape room games are interesting enough for fans of the subgenre to check out, especially when they come at no cost, as is the case with Lost in Anomaly.
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Lost in Anomaly Is Free to Keep on Steam Right Now
As of February 11 at 10:00 am PT, Lost in Anomaly is free to keep for all Steam users who claim it before February 16. Developer Aximus Games announced in a community post that, ahead of the game’s 1.0 release, the team wants to reach a larger player base. As a result, the current giveaway is meant to encourage more fans of anomaly-hunting horror games to check out the title. It is also worth noting that Lost in Anomaly normally costs $4 USD and is still in Early Access, with no confirmed release date for its 1.0 version.
In Lost in Anomaly, players enter the ninth floor of a mysterious building, where they must spot and mark every visual deviation they encounter. If done correctly, the elevator takes them to the next floor, and the process repeats until they reach the bottom floor. Any mistake can reset progress, sending the player back to the starting point.
Anomaly-hunting is a subgenre of horror and puzzle games where the main goal is to memorize details and spot subtle differences.
Fans of psychological horror games may be interested to know that Lost in Anomaly also includes frightening creatures that actively hunt the player. In other words, the protagonist must not only identify differences in the rooms but also find ways to avoid these spine-chilling threats.
Lost in Anomaly Features at a Glance
- 25 to 75 minutes of gameplay in each run
- Realistic environments
- Creatures chasing the player
- Hidden anomalies that can only be detected with UV light
- An extensive list of anomalies for players to discover
Lost in Anomaly has been in Early Access on Steam since 2024. So far, the game has gathered a few reviews from PC users, with 80% of them being positive. Many players praise how the developer uses sound effects and music to make the environments feel even more bloodcurdling. Several users have also noted that the jumpscares can be especially frightening, as they are often difficult to predict.
Negative reviews, however, suggest that the indie game lacks originality. Some players also report bugs and glitches that can interfere with completing objectives, such as creatures following the player into the elevator and resetting progress. That said, Lost in Anomaly is still in development, and this feedback could help developer Aximus Games improve the overall experience ahead of the full launch.
Free-to-Play Alternative for Lost in Anomaly Fans
Players looking for more horror games like Lost in Anomaly have another free option to check out on Steam: Stairway. Released in 2024, Stairway features a very similar gameplay loop, asking players to spot visual anomalies inside a strange building.
Find all 10 pairs
Find all 10 pairs
Other Free PC Games Right Now
The Epic Games Store’s weekly freebies continue to expand gamers’ libraries at no cost, with Botany Manor currently free on the platform until February 12. Once the promotion ends, players will be able to claim two more free games: Nobody Wants to Die and The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark
NightReaper2 and SunBlockers are part of the Epic Games Store’s new developer-initiated promotions and are not included in the regular weekly free offers.
