Tenebris Somnia is an upcoming horror adventure from Andrés Borghi and Saibot Studios that combines retro 2D gameplay with unsettling live-action cutscenes.
The horror genre on Steam is overflowing with contenders, but Tenebris Somnia manages to stand out. It's an upcoming survival horror project from filmmaker and developer Andrés Borghi together with Saibot Studios. Its striking concept merges pixel-art exploration with live-action cinematics, creating a mix of retro gameplay and modern filmmaking that feels both nostalgic and daring.
Retro Survival Horror With a Twist
At its core, Tenebris Somnia plays like a throwback to the 8-bit horror era. The game’s pixelated environments evoke NES and Famicom classics, while the gameplay leans on staples of the genre: tense exploration, resource management, puzzles, and encounters with terrifying creatures. Fans of Silent Hill, Resident Evil, or cult point-and-click thrillers like Clock Tower will find plenty of familiar DNA here.
The real hook, however, lies in its presentation. At certain narrative points, the retro aesthetic gives way to live-action cutscenes shot with professional actors. This sudden shift in style emphasizes the game’s dreamlike atmosphere, keeping players off balance and underscoring its surreal, nightmarish tone.
A Story of Nightmares
Players step into the role of Julia, who is tormented by visions of her ex-boyfriend Iván being attacked by grotesque monsters. Believing them to be nothing more than nightmares, she visits his apartment – only to discover that the horrors are real and Iván is trapped in their grip. Determined to save him, Julia must descend into a hostile world where puzzles, combat, and survival skills are the only tools against the nightmare.
Earlier this year, a second official trailer debuted, offering a closer look at the game’s eerie mechanics and its unusual blend of pixelated gameplay with cinematic storytelling. The project also benefited from an Epic Games MegaGrant, which helped finance the new live-action shoots seen in the trailer. The first trailer is already two years old, however we are yet to get a confirmed release date.
Alongside said trailers, a free demo was made available on Steam, letting players experience the unsettling hybrid first-hand. In just a short session, the demo moves seamlessly between pixel-art exploration and atmospheric live-action scenes – an approach that positions Tenebris Somnia somewhere between old school horror adventure and experimental art house film. For fans of the genre, it could become one of the most intriguing cult discoveries.