Get ready to explore the dark and mysterious world of The Horror at Highrook, an occult card-crafting narrative RPG that has just released a new demo on Steam. Developed by solo developer Nullpointer Games, this unique tabletop-inspired experience invites players to investigate the eerie Highrook Manor, where rumors of dark pacts and shadowy rituals have led to the disappearance of the noble Ackeron family.
In The Horror at Highrook, players lead a team of occult investigators through the haunted estate, summoning dark entities and crafting powerful protections to uncover the fate of the missing family. The game offers a deeply rewarding blend of tactile card manipulation and an engrossing gothic-horror narrative, brought to life with bold illustrations and satisfying animations.
The demo, available ahead of Steam Next Fest, introduces players to the clever systems at the heart of the game, slowly drawing them into its enigmatic story. As players explore the atmospheric Victorian setting, inspired by the works of HP Lovecraft, Edgar Allan Poe, and Bram Stoker, they will uncover disturbing letters, engage in fraught conversations, and admire evocative artwork.
Key features of The Horror at Highrook include:
- Exploring a Nightmare: Dive into a dark Victorian world and investigate a gothic-horror mystery.
- Learning the Dark Arts: Combine characters, items, and locations to craft tools, potions, and occult rites.
- Managing a Team: Control unique characters from the city’s elite guilds, each with their own skills and perspectives.
- Unlocking Mysteries: Complete challenges to open new areas, items, and characters, and build an arsenal of tools and rites.
The Horror at Highrook is set to launch for PC via Steam later this year, but you can experience the demo now. For more information on Nullpointer Games and The Horror at Highrook, visit the official website or follow them on Bluesky and X. A press kit is also available for download.
Nullpointer Games, a tiny indie studio based in the UK, is run by Tom Betts, who has previously worked on titles such as Sir, You Are Being Hunted, The Signal from Tolva, and Into the Pit. Betts, who has a PhD in videogames and philosophy, is currently developing The Horror at Highrook with partial funding from Outersloth. His passion for horror films and procedural generation shines through in this latest project.
