Promising free Steam taster for 'friendslop' horror lets you sabotage your friends in twisted mini-games

A promising new horror game on Steam releases later this month, and it's one for fans of the “friendslop” genre. Expect all sorts of multiplayer mini-game mayhem, as you can download and play its free Steam demo right now.

The free Steam demo in question is for an upcoming co-op horror game that could sabotage your friendships, but that's all part of the fun, probably. It's called HANDS OVER and is developed and published by indie studio ArtDock. From what we've seen so far, it's one to keep on your radar.

It looks like HANDS OVER is of a similar ilk to the co-op survival horror game The Outlast Trials, with friends working together to survive brutal challenges, alongside some Among Us-style bluffing and sabotage.

What is HANDS OVER, and how does it play?

HANDS OVER is a co-op game for five players, in which they must work together to complete a series of nerve-racking challenges and, perhaps above all else, place a lot of trust in their friends, alongside a heavy dose of luck.

“Take a seat at the table, play your cards, sabotage your friends and try to stay in the game while every turn puts someone under pressure,” reads the synopsis of the game. “Players are trapped in a cruel show, where they have to take their seats and face warped versions of games that once seemed like harmless fun. The rules are simple. The pressure is not.”

Some of its challenges are inspired by familiar games, but let's just say they're a lot more warped. For example, there's a unique take on Operation, a game of chance similar to Russian Roulette, and a bluffing game not dissimilar to the aforementioned Among Us.

Every decision you make is vital and can have some very gruesome consequences. You may get knocked out of the round or perhaps even lose a hand. Should that happen, the tension increases as you fight for your own survival.

Some might say it's a dark and unsettling game in many ways, and that's just how horror fans will like it. But above all else, HANDS OVER looks like a lot of fun, to say the least.

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What are players saying about HANDS OVER?

“Really digging the vibe and atmosphere, can't wait to try it out!!!” said raycharly9440 in the comments section of its announcement trailer.

“That thumbnail was absolutely Matthew McConaughey smoking a cigarette,” joked xxDemonLalamixx.

“Buckshot Roulette meets Team Fortress 2,” suggested dedhedfred.

“Cool, can't wait for the game to come out,” declared simricks121.

When is HANDS OVER releasing, and what platforms will it be on?

HANDS OVER is coming to Steam as an Early Access title on October 30, 2026, just in time for Halloween.

It looks like HANDS OVER may also come to PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch, but no release dates have been announced for those platforms at the time of writing.