Deal | Steam free game deal: 3D survival-horror game drops to $0 until July 19

Creating a horror game that stands out in a saturated genre is tough, especially when you're a small indie studio. Yxtopia Studios is one such example - the game in question being Haus Of Irndrous. It entered early access on Steam last August and is now temporarily free to download - at least until July 19, after which it'll be priced at $1.99. For fans of slow-burn psychological horror, this limited-time deal is a great opportunity.

As a player, Haus Of Irndrous places you in the crumbling Afgarn Mansion. It is a setting dripping with '80s horror nostalgia. Similar to our previously covered game Last Report, the gameplay doesn't lean heavily into jump scares. Instead, it focuses on building atmosphere through exploration, puzzle-solving, and resource management. Players have to navigate dark hallways, manage stamina, and carefully ration a flickering flashlight, while they avoid unsettling animatronic-like creatures. The experience definitely feels deliberately methodical, so careful thought will take you further than quick reflexes.

The first chapter of the game is available right now, with around 1-2 hours of gameplay. Players go through the story by interacting with hidden radios and cassette logs scattered around the mansion, which reveal more of the mansion’s past. User feedback on Steam has been somewhat positive, with players gushing over its eerie atmosphere and puzzle-based approach. In contrast, criticisms have mainly centered on a lack of clear guidance about item usage and enemy AI behaviors.

Built in a retro-inspired, grainy 3D style, Haus Of Irndrous can be compared to games like Phasmophobia for its slow-building tension, and Five Nights at Freddy’s for its thematic relationship with animatronics. However, it steers clear of jumpscares in favor of psychological dread.

After July 19, the studio will transition to a $1.99 price model to support ongoing development of future chapters. For now, players can try the first chapter at no cost.

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