Dishonored-like stealth game drops free must-play demo as release date announced

It's no better time to be a fan of stealth games than now, with a countless number of indie developers releasing their own immersive sims onto Steam and other platforms.

Whether it's the System Shock-inspired RetroSpace, or the free fan-made Thief spiritual successor The Dark Mod, there are enough games here that'll last you a lifetime.

Add another one to the list, as the upcoming stealth game The Citadel Project has just announced an early access release date, with a free demo also available for you to check out.

The Citadel Project is inspired by the likes of those classics like Thief: The Dark Project and Dark Messiah, but you could also think of it as like Dishonored without the powers.

The Citadel Project is Dishonored without the powers

Developed as a solo project by developer Reliquary Software, The Citadel Project is a stealth game with RPG and adventure elements.

Set in a dark fantasy world, you're a simple nobody. A prisoner, who has escaped from their cell that sits deep within the Citadel.

You don't have access to powerful weapons and magical abilities, so you're encouraged to sneak and use your tools to avoid danger. Stealth, assassinations from the shadows, and your various equipment are your best keys to survival.

"The Citadel Project, the last line of defense built by the Ancient Kings in an attempt to preserve what remains of humanity in the face of the Great Storm. Unfortunately, an evil force is consuming it from within... Will you be able to navigate the nightmarish, labyrinthine architecture of this mega-structure and uncover what happened?" reads the story teaser for the game.

Remaining silent is key here, as there are many dangers hiding within the Citadel. Similar to Thief, the game uses a lighting system which dynamically calculates how every light source makes you visible. Staying in darkness allows you to stay concealed, which you can take advantage of to hide from your enemies.

Enemies are a threat that can't be killed in direct conflict, but approaching from the shadows and using stealth will allow you to solve any problems that come your way. The main tool at your disposal is the crossbow, which can be loaded with different types of bolts which have different effects on enemies and the world around you.

This can be things like using a rope bolt to scale walls and rooms, water bolts to extinguish fire, or fire bolts to eliminate threats. If you're an older gamer who is intimately familiar with the best immersive sim games like Thief or Deus Ex, you should know what you're getting into here.

The Citadel Project will be released into Steam Early Access on November 11, 2026 and priced at $10, with the price increasing slight with every major content update. But if you want to get a free taster of what's on offer, a demo is also available to download on Steam.

Reliquary Software has stated that early access will last for "1-2 years", and that the current state of the game includes two completed levels, which comprises around four hours of gameplay.

In terms of what's being added over the next two years, the final version will have "6 more areas to the game, expand bestiary and items quantity, improve progression and RPG systems, and improve the overall quality of AI (enemies) in the game.”