Indie developer SPINA Studio and publisher SUPERHOT PRESENTS have released the Phase Zero demo for free on Steam. This title channels the spirit of late 1990s survival horror and offers a new experience that remains grounded in the genre’s roots. First announced in March, Phase Zero is already earning comparisons to influential titles like Resident Evil and Silent Hill.

Set in 1994, the game takes place in Flint Peak, a snow-covered harbor town struck by a strange illness. The infection has twisted the townspeople into grotesque, mutated forms. The story follows two survivors: Mary, a reporter new to Flint Peak, and Guy, an injured engineer. Told in a chapter-based format, each part focuses on one of the protagonists. The demo begins with Guy waking up in a hospital as the outbreak begins. It runs about 30 to 40 minutes and introduces the eerie, slow-burning horror that the full game explores in more depth.

Classic survival horror mechanics take center stage. The demo features fixed camera angles, pre-rendered backgrounds, and tank-style controls, along with a low-poly visual style that recalls the original PlayStation era. These elements create a familiar setting for longtime fans, while modern refinements help the game feel responsive and polished. Players must scavenge for supplies, manage limited resources, solve puzzles, and navigate the decaying environment under constant threat of sudden attack.

One of Phase Zero’s defining traits is its tone. While many recent retro horror titles lean into bleak realism, this one revives the strange charm and theatrical tension found in early Resident Evil games. The characters are exaggerated, the action is intense, and the puzzles are both strange and memorable. A key moment involves a puzzle that blends grotesque body horror with dark humor, capturing the game’s balance between fear and absurdity.

To complement the demo, IGN has released a 10-minute gameplay video that includes developer commentary. The footage offers a closer look at the game’s cinematic presentation, designed camera angles, and detailed soundscape. These elements work together to build tension and bring the atmosphere of Flint Peak to life with chilling clarity.

The demo game pays tribute to survival horror’s golden age while creating something that feels distinct and unsettling. There is no confirmed release date for the full version of Phase Zero. For those drawn to retro-inspired horror, this early glimpse offers a chilling preview of what lies ahead.

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