Kabus 22 is a third-person survival horror game set in a dystopian version of Istanbul in the year 2000. The story follows three protagonists Demir, a resistance fighter with a dark past; Ebru, a scientist; and Inzar, a mysterious woman with supernatural abilities. Together, they face the forces of a totalitarian cult known as the Sons of Earth, who have unleashed demonic creatures and abominations upon the city. The narrative blends political oppression, supernatural horror, and urban decay, creating a uniquely Turkish take on the survival horror formula.
Developed by the Turkish studio Son Işık and released in 2006, Kabus 22 was notable for being one of the very few survival horror games produced in Turkey. The title was published exclusively for PC and, while relatively obscure internationally, it developed a reputation as a cult title in its home country. The developers aimed to combine Western horror influences with Turkish cultural elements, offering a different perspective from the Japanese and American studios that dominated the genre. Its creation demonstrated the global reach of survival horror during the early 2000s, when independent developers were experimenting with the genre outside of established gaming markets.
Gameplay
The gameplay of Kabus 22 blends survival horror with action elements. Players explore urban environments filled with cultists, supernatural enemies, and grotesque monsters. Combat plays a significant role, with firearms and melee weapons available to the protagonists. The game allows switching between three characters, each with different abilities and narrative roles, adding variety to both combat and puzzle-solving. While it included traditional survival horror staples such as limited ammunition and health resources, it leaned more heavily into action compared to slower-paced titles of the era. Despite some technical roughness, the ability to control multiple characters and engage in varied combat distinguished it from many contemporaries.
Visuals & Style
Visually, Kabus 22 reflects the gritty, industrial tone of early 2000s survival horror. The environments depict an urban landscape overtaken by cultist influence and supernatural corruption, with dark streets, underground facilities, and oppressive architecture. While the graphics were modest and somewhat dated compared to international releases of the time, the game carried a unique visual identity grounded in Turkish cultural elements and Middle Eastern design motifs. The soundtrack leaned toward atmospheric tension, using heavy and unsettling tones to amplify the oppressive mood. Its raw presentation added to the sense of unease, even if it lacked the polish of larger budget titles.
Importance in Survival Horror History
Kabus 22 holds importance not because of mainstream success but because it showcased how survival horror could extend beyond the Japanese and Western studios that usually defined the genre. It stands as one of the first survival horror games developed in Turkey, representing a cultural expansion of the genre during the 2000s. By mixing political allegory, cult themes, and supernatural horror within an urban Turkish setting, it demonstrated how local storytelling traditions could influence familiar survival horror frameworks. For enthusiasts, it remains an example of how the genre adapted and spread internationally during its peak era.
Reception vs Historical Value
At the time of release, Kabus 22 received limited coverage outside of Turkey and was often criticized for clunky gameplay, technical flaws, and dated visuals. However, it earned respect among players who appreciated its ambition, atmosphere, and the novelty of seeing a survival horror game from a different cultural background. Over time, its historical value has grown as part of the broader narrative of survival horror’s global reach. Fans of the genre now revisit it not for its refinement but for its originality and uniqueness within the survival horror canon.
Availability & Collectibility
Kabus 22 was released only for PC and never officially distributed outside of Turkey, which has made it difficult to obtain for international players. It did not receive re-releases on digital platforms, further adding to its obscurity. Physical copies are rare, and when they appear in secondhand markets, they are primarily from Turkish sellers. While not as expensive as some cult Japanese survival horror titles, its scarcity and cultural uniqueness make it a collectible item for dedicated fans of the genre. Emulators and fan communities have helped preserve access to the game, ensuring it is not completely lost to time.
There’s a Dreamlist request at GOG to Preserve and bring this piece of survival Horror History back!
Kabus 22 GOG Dreamlist | GOG.COM
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