Steam lands standout free taster for upcoming horror game that blends cozy pixel-art with terrifying live-action

Steam has received a free demo for an upcoming horror game that looks absolutely terrifying, blending pixel-art graphics with live-action cutscenes in an unexpected mash-up that sets it apart from most horror games.

In recent years, the indie gaming scene has been showing AAA developers and publishers how it's done when it comes to survival horror. Games such as Reanimal and Silver Pines have been leading the way in 2026. Now, a new contender has entered the bloodbath arena: Tenebris Somnia.

At first glance, the graphics in Tenebris Somnia don't look all that scary, but that changes when the eerie retro 8-bit soundtrack kicks in. There's something oddly unsettling about it. Then, as the trailer gets going, you'll notice that the game uses live-action cutscenes to tell its story, helping this new horror game stand out in an already crowded but vibrant genre.

What is Tenebris Somnia about?

“Tenebris Somnia is a survival horror adventure game in the same vein as classics like Silent Hill or Resident Evil - but adapted to a retro 2D aesthetic from the 8- or 16-bit era,” reads the synopsis of the game on Steam. “You will struggle to survive while solving puzzles and fighting horrible creatures. Yet the secrets of the game lie within its cinematics...

“When you reach certain key points, you will see sequences from a completely different point of view, made in live action with real actors and practical effects - created by a professional and award-winning film crew from Argentina.”

In Tenebris Somnia, you’ll be exploring creepy environments, solving puzzles, collecting items to progress the story, managing your inventory and fighting sinister monsters (or running away from them) – all the ingredients needed for a solid survival horror game.

Its use of live-action cutscenes is also a clever twist on its presentation, featuring real actors and practical effects. It’s a reminder of simpler times, when horror movies relied on practical effects rather than expensive CGI and green screens to bring their nightmare vision to life.

After watching the trailer, there’s no doubt that Tenebris Somnia oozes atmosphere, and it arrives just in time for Halloween, which is always a nice bonus for horror fans. Some of its monsters also look like the stuff of anyone’s worst nightmares. It’s a blend of old-school and new-school horror, as cliché as that might sound.

READ MORE: 18 horror games coming in 2026 and beyond that we already can't wait to play

What is the community saying about Tenebris Somnia?

“This is one of the most ambitious projects I’ve seen NB do. This looks so sick!” declared RenDWall in the comments section of the release date trailer.

“LIVE ACTION CUTSCENES?! Dude, this is AWESOME!” said accoon1corn.

“Feels like I’m getting straight teeth from this trailer; can’t wait, this looks amazing,” commented Joewho-uk7tq.

“This game is going to be one of the best horror releases this year, I can feel it,” predicted turnoffthedark268.

Is Tenebris Somnia releasing on consoles?

Yes, Tenebris Somnia is also coming to consoles, alongside its PC launch on Steam. Tenebris Somnia launches on October 16 for PC, PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch 2, but the demo is available now.