French developer Redlock Studio has officially revealed Hypnos, an atmospheric first-person exploration game set inside a surreal, lovecraftian megastructure known as the Nameless City. Slated for release on PC and consoles later in 2026, Hypnos promises a deeply immersive journey through a world that exists on the fragile boundary between dreams and reality.
Unveiled on January 14, 2026 in Lyon, France, the game arrives with a chilling teaser trailer that introduces its uncanny architecture, distorted landscapes, and unsettling ambience. With its roots in Redlock’s Maze Chronicles universe, Hypnos expands the studio’s signature blend of atmospheric storytelling, philosophical worldbuilding, and player-driven narrative choices.
A Fever Dream of Exploration and Mystery
Hypnos places players inside a semi-open world that feels alive, unpredictable, and faintly hostile. The Nameless City is not merely a setting—it is a living organism shaped by memory, illusion, and cosmic forces beyond human comprehension.
Players are drawn into this dreamlike realm by the recurring vision of a mysterious boy who haunts their sleep. As they wander through labyrinthine streets, towering structures, and warped environments, they must unravel the city’s secrets while encountering its strange rulers and inhabitants.
Rather than relying on combat, Hypnos focuses on environmental storytelling, exploration, and psychological tension, encouraging players to observe, interpret, and decide how they interact with the world around them.
Branching Narratives and Meaningful Choices
One of Hypnos’ defining features is its emphasis on branched dialogues and multiple endings. Every interaction with the Nameless City’s residents can shift their fate—and your own.
Key narrative elements include:
- Conversations with enigmatic figures from the Far Reaches
- Moral and philosophical choices that shape outcomes
- Diverging story paths based on player actions
- Alternative endings that reflect how you navigated the dreamscape
This system ensures that no two playthroughs will feel exactly the same, rewarding curiosity and thoughtful decision-making.
A Living, Transformable World
Hypnos introduces a layered world where reality itself can be manipulated. Players will:
- Interact deeply with the environment
- Alter the “materia of dreams” that shapes the city
- Peel back hidden layers of illusion
- Reveal deeper truths concealed beneath the surface
The Nameless City evolves in response to your presence, making exploration feel less like traversal and more like participation in a cosmic puzzle.
A Soundscape That Shapes the Dream
The game’s haunting audio identity comes from ALT236, a French multimedia artist and composer known for blending ambient, retro, and dreamlike electronic soundscapes.
The Hypnos soundtrack is designed to:
- Enhance tension and unease
- Blur the line between waking and dreaming
- Guide emotional responses without overt cues
- Make the Nameless City feel both alien and strangely familiar
Expect a score that lingers in your mind long after you stop playing.
Part of the Maze Chronicles Universe
Hypnos continues the legacy of Redlock Studio’s Maze Chronicles series, following their previous title Blackshard while expanding its thematic scope.
The studio’s influences—ranging from H.P. Lovecraft and China Miéville to Frank Herbert and mythological traditions—are clearly reflected in Hypnos’ world design and philosophical undertones.
Redlock’s long-term vision centers on:
- Deep narrative immersion
- Symbolic storytelling
- Player agency in meaning-making
- A distinct, evolving visual identity
Hypnos feels less like a standalone game and more like a chapter in a larger, interconnected mythos.
When Can You Play Hypnos?
Hypnos is expected to launch on PC and consoles in late 2026. While specific platforms have not yet been confirmed, the game is already available to wishlist on Steam, allowing interested players to stay updated on development progress.
Given Redlock’s track record with atmospheric adventures, Hypnos is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing narrative-driven exploration games of the year.
Hypnos will make its way to PC and consoles later this year. Intrigued souls can already wishlist the game on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2861210/HYPNOS/
