In Waking Dreams you play as Steve, a man haunted by the sudden loss of his wife. He drifts into insomnia and begins to lose his grip on reality. Nightmares invade waking life and everyday places warp around him. Faced with shadowy figures, unsettling visions, and fractured memories, Steve must navigate the boundary between dream and reality to uncover what truly happened and whether the nightmares are his curse or a clue
Waking Dreams is a psychological survival horror game developed and published by Studio Infernal. It launched on July 14, 2025 on PC. The game seeks to merge atmospheric exploration, tension, resource management, and occasional combat with a narrative focused on trauma, grief, and the fragility of the mind. As Steve you explore distorted versions of familiar environments, solve puzzles, and piece together the events that led to his wife’s death.
Gameplay
Exploration lies at the heart of Waking Dreams. Players move through warped environments from a 3rd person perspective, that sometimes shift when unobserved. Items like notes, audio recordings, and photographs reveal fragments of Steve’s past. When enemies appear you must balance offense and defense often conserving ammunition and resources. Puzzles require logical thought and observation tying into Steve’s memories and the symbolism of the dream world. Multiple endings depend on how deeply you uncover truths and whether you face or flee from the nightmares
Visuals and Style
The visual design blends realism with dreamlike distortions. Ordinary settings such as houses, streets, or interiors appear familiar at first but become twisted by shifting geometry, warped textures, and shifting light. Shadows grow longer and reflections betray hidden figures. The color palette favors muted tones punctuated by sudden flashes of vivid imagery to jolt the player. Sound plays a crucial role. Silence builds dread, ambient noises feel alive, and sudden audio cues startle when least expected
Importance in Survival Horror History
Waking Dreams contributes to the evolution of psychological horror by making the perception of reality itself a dynamic threat. Rather than relying solely on monsters or gore, the game uses the instability of the world and the mind to unsettle. Its approach reinforces that survival horror can thrive on uncertainty, dream logic, and narrative ambiguity. In the indie space it stands as an example of how modern horror games can innovate by challenging the boundaries of perception and blending emotional storytelling with atmosphere.
Reception and Historical Value
Upon release Waking Dreams received praise for its haunting atmosphere, narrative ambition, and the way it bridges gameplay and psychological tension. Many players highlight the emotional weight of Steve’s journey and the way visuals and sound reinforce the sense of dread. Some criticism has emerged around moments of pacing slowdown or overly cryptic puzzles. Still it resonates strongly with fans of introspective horror, and its ambition suggests it may be remembered as one of the more thoughtful horror titles of 2025.
Availability and Collectibility
Waking Dreams is available digitally on PC. There is no confirmed physical edition at this time.
Get it on:
Steam: Waking Dreams on Steam
Itch.io: Waking Dreams by StudioInfernal
Trailer: