Steam free game hailed as 'haunting gem' by players

A free horror game has just hit Steam and has managed to earn some serious praise from reviewers, with over 90% of the player base giving the title positive reviews.

The Sixth Sorrow landed on Steam at the end of February, but it’s already earned itself the type of rating that most developers on the platform would be jealous of - with 92% of its reviews being positive.

Developer Nezumirra describes it as “a short, narrative-driven horror game” in which you "unravel a mystery engulfed in grief, sorrow, and maternal love" - and the reviews state that its story seems to be the main reason that the title is earning so much praise.

“The Sixth Sorrow is a haunting little gem for those who enjoy compact, story-focused horror with a personal touch,” commented user Turahok on Steam.

“It’s not going to redefine the genre or keep you up at night with terror, but it delivers a poignant, unsettling experience that sticks with you thanks to its emotional stakes and atmospheric design… just don’t expect a sprawling epic—this is a brief, bittersweet waltz through a mother’s nightmare.”

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“The Sixth Sorrow is a high-quality horror game that delivers through its PSX aesthetic and fast-paced, relatable storyline,” wrote another reviewer.

“With multiple endings, this game offers high replay value—something only a true game developer can execute.”

Perhaps most impressively, this is actually developer Nezumirra’s first game on Steam.

Although they have been developing games on itch.io for some time, this is their first foray on to Valve’s storefront - and based on the positive feedback, I certainly don’t think it will be their last.

I don’t think you could ask for a more impressive debut than this, and I’ll personally be watching Nezumirra's future career with great interest. After all, if this is what they’re willing to give away for free, who knows how good their first paid game will be?