The absolute boom the horror genre has been experiencing in recent years, both in the film and video game industries, is undeniable. Resident Evil and Silent Hill have both had a resurgence by offering a mixture of brand-new entries and high-quality remakes (Resident Evil finally achieved critical acclaim on the big screen in 2026, too). Dead Space may be back on ice, but Motive’s remake of the original entry was nothing short of brilliant. And then, there’s Alan Wake 2, a creative and jumpscare-filled experience that successfully propelled the franchise from action adventure to full survival horror. This particular game was so memorable, in fact, that it’s seemingly influencing lesser-known projects like Steam’s Tenebris Sombra.
Obviously, not every element of Tenebris Sombra is Alan Wake-like. Sure, both games occupy space within the survival horror genre, but one is photorealistic and the other is 2D with a retro, pixelated aesthetic. This massive presentation difference will impact literally every aspect of this particular Steam game, from its scares to its puzzles to its combat. However, where Tenebris Sombra and Alan Wake 2 feel similar is in their presentation, as both games offer live-action cinematics that add to the feeling of terror and really drive home the narrative. If these cinematics live up to their potential, players will surely be in for some frights, and potentially a Remedy-style vibe despite the hugely different gameplay.
Tenebris Sombra’s Steam page confirms the launch is just around the corner: October 16, 2026
“Tenebris Somnia is a 2D retro survival horror adventure game with live action cutscenes created by an award winning film crew from Argentina. Unveil the depths of a disturbing story by solving puzzles and fighting horrible creatures. …What if they aren’t just nightmares?”
Wishlist Tenebris Somnia on Steam
- EXPERIENCE a disturbing story that mixes in live action cutscenes for extra scares.
- SOLVE puzzles inspired by the classic horror properties Silent Hill and Resident Evil.
- EMBRACE new kinds of scares via a 2D pixelated art style.
- ENCOUNTER horrible creatures, fleeing and fighting floating skulls, creatures with candle heads, and more.
Tenebris Sombra’s Classic Survival Horror Mechanics and Cinematic Approach May Be a Deadly Combo
With the survival horror game genre not truly taking off until the mid-90s, when 3D character models and environments were all the rage, there aren’t that many 2D survival horror gems out there. Tenebris Sombra, then, is inherently unique. Mechanically, it has all the staples of a Resident Evil or Silent Hill game—tools to fight the various threats are limited and must be conserved at all costs, while puzzles will need to be completed in high stress situations. Said puzzles seemingly include filling a container with blood, assembling a poster that’s been torn into pieces, and so on. For combat, the currently unnamed protagonist (who somewhat resembles Silent Hill 3’s Heather) is shown wielding a pistol, with ammo sure to be limited.
Any memorable horror game needs compelling entities to fight against, and it seems like Tenebris Sombra is poised to have them in spades. In the promotional material thus far, a range of creatures have been showcased, including a smiling white figure covered in runes with burning candles where its eyes should be. Another creature boasts a red cloak and what seems to be a gigantic mouth, but in actuality, its head is composed of two connected faces. Witches, floating head monstrosities, and more will be encountered throughout the game.
Build your perfect top ten one reveal at a time.
Swap two picks?
Pick two spots to swap before locking in your final ranking.
However, while collecting and managing an inventory of items may be satisfying, the reality is that not everyone is going to be scared by side-scrolling combat and 2D, 16-bit monsters. That’s where the live action cutscenes come into play, all of which are shot by an “award winning film crew from Argentina.” Real actors and practical effects will be used for each scene, and these moments will be sprinkled throughout the game, triggering at “key points” and showing the entities and characters from a different perspective. With this approach, not only does the game have the potential to deliver memorable sequences like Alan Wake 2’s Champion of Light, but if players aren’t scared by the gameplay, the cutscenes can deliver the scares (and vice versa).
Tenebris Sombra Arrives at the Perfect Time
More than any other time of the year, October is the ideal time to release a horror project. The Halloween season means that gamers are actively looking to be frightened, and for those that have checked off big AAA games like Resident Evil Requiem and Silent Hill: Townfall, indies are a natural next place to look. Tenebris Sombra, then, is making a tremendous decision by launching just a few weeks before people around the world celebrate Halloween. And, fortunately for interested gamers seeking to use this game as a way to get into the mood for the holiday, picking it up around its launch will result in a discount.
Tenebris Sombra will typically be $25, but throughout its launch window, it’ll cost $20. An additional discount will be provided for players who own publisher New Blood Interactive’s other horror title, FAITH: The Unholy Trinity. Additionally, Tenebris Sombra is Steam Deck verified, and while the Deck is normally not the ideal platform for those looking to immerse themselves in a horror game, this particular game should shine due to its retro gameplay style. For players interested in seeing how Resident Evil could have felt in the late 80s or early 90s, or those eager for a story presented like Alan Wake 2, Tenebris Sombra is worthy of a wishlist spot.
