A broken cellphone. An abandoned log cabin. Trees reach for a sunless sky. Nowhere has all the indicators of an eerie horror game, but its storytelling detail is where it truly excels.
The unique title is being developed by Midnight Forge, a UK-based independent studio, and has yet to receive a release date. The game is set to release exclusively on PC via Steam.
Speaking about the upcoming game, Midnight Forge game director Luke Dodds, said:
The unique spin of Nowhere is its take on the aftermath of Ragnarok and the rise of Christianity in Norway. The survivors of Ragnarok awaken in Nowhere, a nightmare realm beside our world, seeking vengeance for being forgotten. The merging of the Nowhere realm with ours brings these nightmares to life and twists the environment.
Dodds draws inspiration from the Norse underworld, emphasizing symbolism, music, and atmosphere to create an immersive open-world experience. Environmental storytelling is key, as players explore zones rich in Nordic culture. Originally set in a generalized medieval style, the game shifted to a Nordic setting, which resonated more with Dodds.
Dodds describes Nowhere as a blend of Nordic Silent Hill, Alan Wake 2, and hardcore detective elements. The main enemies are the draugr, zombie-like creatures controlled by the Norse god of vengeance, Vidar. These enemies appear human from a distance but reveal their true, horrifying nature up close. Some have faces protruding from their torsos, showing tormented souls they’ve consumed.
For Dodds and Midnight Forge, Nowhere marks a significant step. “Working on other amazing games has inspired me to make Nowhere the best it can be,” says Dodds. He aims to establish Midnight Forge as a narrative-driven horror studio, creating games with their own IPs.
Players can expect to fight back against the draugr, combining classic survival horror elements with detective aspects. The title promises a mix of running, hiding, and combat, where uncovering the story and enemy weaknesses is crucial for survival.
Game Features:
- Putting the player at the heart of a story into Norse history and mythology, telling the tale of conflicts between the two religions at war in Norway during the Viking age.
- Deeply atmospheric and immersive environments, exploring ancient Nordic forests with realistic and creepy locations to investigate.
- Realistic investigation mechanics make you feel like a real detective with minimal hand-holding but won’t block you from progression until you’re forced to get the answer right, failure is an option.
- A blend of Detective Mystery and Survival Horror gameplay and themes.
You can view the new trailer below and let us know what you think. Be sure to keep up to date with Midnight Forge on X, as a demo will be available on Steam closer to release.
