The infamy of the 1992 full-motion video game Night Trap may not be as prevalent among modern gaming audiences as it was in the decades following its launch, but its influence on independent survival horror games has persisted, with Tenebris Somnia being the latest horror adventure game to follow in Night Trap‘s spiritual footsteps. Tenebris Somnia released on October 16, on Steam, GoG, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and Switch 2, and the disturbing story, progressed through curious puzzle solving and battles against horrible creatures, has already been met with widely positive reception.
PC platforms like Steam and Itch.io have been a key focal point for indie developers wanting to share new, innovative ideas with players, and horror games in particular have found consistent success beyond the realm of AAA titles. A number of indie horror games on Steam have skyrocketed in popularity, such as the likes of Mouthwashing and The Mortuary Assistant, and Tenebris Somnia looks to join the ranks of top-rated horror indies on Steam with its early success out of the gate.
Tenebris Somnia Blends Retro Gameplay with FMV Cutscenes
Tenebris Somnia is touted as a survival horror adventure game reminiscent of 90s classics like Silent Hill and Resident Evil but wrapped in an old-school 2D aesthetic straight from the time of 8-bit and 16-bit gaming. One of its more unique aspects is the use of full-motion video (FMV) cutscenes, which were produced by an award-winning film crew from Argentina. Unlike other horror games, Tenebris Somnia specifically highlights its cinematic sequences as the primary driver for its storytelling, with the gameplay serving as a way for the player to unravel each scene from a different point of view. The combat and puzzle solving help to keep the player guessing while testing their ability to unveil the true depths of this disturbing story that offers far more than simple nightmares.
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At the time of writing, Tenebris Somnia sits at 95% positive reviews on its official Steam page. Many of the comments praise Tenebris Somnia for its use of live actors during the FMV segments and some even point to these cutscenes as being the best part of the game. Others voiced an appreciation for the retro pixelated graphics during the gameplay portions, and one reviewer even likened Tenebris Somnia to classic 90s horror games like Phantasmagoria.
The sheer multitude of retro-style indie horror games released in recent years seemingly indicates a desire for more out-of-the-box thinking that can deliver equal doses of nostalgia and fresh air. Tenebris Somnia is far from the only new indie title to look to the past for its inspirations, and its utilization of FMV cutscenes to aid in the game’s progression is certainly uncommon enough that the game’s early positive reception among indie horror fans is perhaps not entirely unexpected. Studios like Puppet Combo and Chilla’s Art have repeatedly released old-school-style games that climbed to the top of horror gaming fans’ lists, and if Tenebris Somnia can find long-term momentum, it could very well earn its own place alongside beloved classics like Night Trap and newer icons of unconventional horror.
- Released
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October 16, 2026
- ESRB
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Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
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Andrés Borghi, Saibot Studios
- Publisher(s)
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New Blood Interactive
- Number of Players
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Single-player
