Silence is key: New co-op horror game on Steam uses proximity chat and noise-reactive enemies

R.E.P.O. takes players into a post-apocalyptic world where civilization has collapsed. As part of a salvage team working for a mysterious AI, they must recover valuable artifacts from crumbling buildings and abandoned factories. But the ruins hold more than just treasure: grotesque creatures lurk in the shadows, drawn to every sound.

In R.E.P.O., you take on the role of salvage specialists, not soldiers. Instead of fighting nightmarish creatures, you must rely on stealth, distractions and careful strategy to stay unnoticed. Communication is crucial. The game features proximity voice chat, meaning players can only hear each other when nearby. Speaking too loudly or shouting can be dangerous, as it may attract unwanted attention. Even opening doors, moving crates or dropping objects can create noise that lures monsters toward the group. A progression system adds long-term motivation, rewarding successful missions with money that can be spent on better gear or quieter tools.

Very positive reviews

A similar game with noise-sensitive enemies is Lethal Company, which has over 385,000 reviews on Steam and an impressive 97% positive rating. Whether R.E.P.O. will reach the same level of success remains to be seen, but the early signs are promising. Just days after its release on February 26, the game developed and published by Semiwork has already gathered around 3,000 reviews, with 96% being positive. As a result, the co-op horror title currently tops SteamDB's "Hot Releases" chart. Until March 5, R.E.P.O. is available at a 20% launch discount, lowering the price from $9.99 to $7.99.

By the way: Semiwork is not an unknown studio. In 2023, it released the roguelite top-down shooter Voidigo, which has around 3,000 Steam reviews and an impressive 96% positive rating.