Indie horror continues to channel the genre’s most oppressive roots, and House of Saturn is positioning itself as a focused throwback with modern psychological bite. Described as classic Amnesia meets PSX in Victorian England, the upcoming title drops players into the role of an exorcist trapped overnight inside a haunted university where the rules of reality no longer apply.
At the heart of House of Saturn is classic survival horror tension. Exploration is slow and deliberate, puzzles gate your progress, and survival hinges on careful resource management. Your lantern functions as more than a navigation tool it is your primary defense against the encroaching darkness and cold. Keeping it fueled becomes a constant source of pressure, reinforcing the game’s emphasis on vulnerability rather than empowerment. In our recent talk with the developer Luke from XCathedraGames told Us his main inspirations were games like Amnesia The Dark descent and Penumbra, Both Classic Games to the genre.
What immediately stands out is the behavior of the central threat. The demon pursuing the player can phase through walls, deliberately removing the comfort of traditional safe spaces. This design choice pushes the experience firmly into psychological territory, forcing players to stay alert at all times and preventing the usual “door equals safety” mindset common in many horror titles.
Narratively, the game revolves around uncovering how a secret cult operating within the university opened a gateway to hell. The mystery appears to unfold largely through environmental storytelling, encouraging players to observe their surroundings and piece together the occult history buried within the building’s halls. The early 1900s English setting further strengthens the mood, blending academic prestige with creeping supernatural dread.
Visually, House of Saturn embraces a retro-inspired presentation reminiscent of late PSX era horror while still delivering modern atmospheric detail. The result is a tone that feels intentionally nostalgic without sacrificing immersion.
The game does include mature horror elements, such as monster attacks that trigger blood splatter effects and environmental depictions of dead bodies, underscoring its grim tone.
We recently sat down with the developers of House of Saturn for La Bóveda de Joe to discuss the game’s inspirations, mechanics, and how the team approached building fear when even the walls can’t protect you.
Stay tuned to Survival Horror for the full interview.
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