The spooky season may be over, but that doesn’t mean the scares need to come to an end! For anyone looking for a good fright, Independent developer DiTMGames has them covered! Get ready to fend off against The Sleep Demon, as the studio’s first release, Nightmare, officially releases today in early access!
Nightmare is a first-person survival horror that forces players into reliving the same Nightmare over and over. Our unnamed protagonist is tasked with navigating around a darkened rendition of their home, with nothing more than a flashlight. The main goal is to escape purgatory, all while filling up and maintaining your sanity.
Find The Light
Throughout the home, players will find many components hidden around. This includes varying types of lightbulbs, tripod stands, syringes, and health liquid. Any lightbulb, in conjunction with a tripod, will create a light source. Standing directly in front of the light source will slowly build up the sanity meter. Filling up your sanity meter will create a portal back to reality. The light sources are only temporary, as the battery will deplete over time. The unpowered light sources must be either repaired or destroyed. Repairing them can be done by replacing the lightbulb with the same type. A light source cannot be relocated once it is placed. This forces players to strategically place them in areas of easy access.
The Undead Await
While traversing their home, players must avoid undead spirits and deities. Randomized ghosts may spawn, which can be burned away with the flashlight. The Sleep Demon is constantly on the hunt, trying to keep players trapped in their own personal hell. The Sleep Demon cannot be destroyed, and as a result, is the most daunting enemy encountered. Running and hiding is the player’s best course for survival. The Sleep Demon will drain a section of the player’s sanity meter when caught. If the player’s sanity meter is completely empty, the demon will instead take health. If the player’s health drops too low, The Sleep Demon will drag them back to bed, resulting in a game over. Thankfully, combining a collected syringe with a vial of healthy liquid will create a health syringe. Health syringes will replenish any damage taken from The Sleep Demon or ghosts.
Replays Encouraged
Regardless of whether the player’s managing to survive or not, each completed round grants experience. Acquiring enough experience will level up players, rewarding them with points. These points can be used to purchase a temporary buff in their next playthrough. These range from increased speed, to increased inventory space. Be sure to save earned points! Once points are spent, and a playthrough is completed, the buff must be repurchased.
DiTMGames’ first title is still in Early Access, and has the potential to be something great! Nightmare is available now, exclusively on Steam. Be sure to stay locked to Marooners’ Rock for all things gaming!
