New dark fantasy adventure game debuts with Dark Souls and Resident Evil inspirations

A new dark fantasy adventure game called Asthenia has been formally showcased with a new reveal trailer. Initially announced in 2024, the solo developer Matthaios Lappas plans to release this indie title sometime in 2027, and the latest video shows a good level of progression.

As the developer describes, Asthenia puts players in a dying dimension afflicted by a corrupting disease. Players get to step into the shoes of Adam, who, alongside other humans, gets pulled into this hostile realm. To survive, Adam needs to navigate through abandoned settlements, confront distorted enemies, and uncover fragments.

The developer says that the game takes inspiration from Dark Souls, Resident Evil 7 (curr. $7.99 on Humble Bundle), Silent Hill, and Outlast. Its combat system, for example, seems to have been heavily influenced by Dark Souls, with deliberate, close-range encounters. Players need to worry about resources as well, as they are intentionally scarce, and the equipped gauntlet is powered by limited energy.

To make things more difficult, the developer decided not to add any mini map, and there aren't any quest markers either. These aspects, which can be a bit frustrating for some, encourage players to rely on intuition, environmental cues, and memory. As for the storyline, the player's choices are important, with the plot offering three distinct endings and many branching paths.

While Asthenia isn't launching anytime soon, the developer plans to offer a playable demo soon. Those interested can wishlist the game on Steam to get updates.