Frictional Games, the studio behind the acclaimed Amnesia horror series, has announced a delay for its upcoming title, Ontos. Originally slated for release later this year, the game is now expected to launch in 2027. The studio cited the game's ambition in terms of size, scale, and the depth of its narrative and gameplay as the primary reasons for the postponement.
"Ontos is our most ambitious game to date, both in terms of its size and scale, and in the depth and layers of our story and gameplay," Frictional Games stated in an announcement. "In order to deliver this vision, we have decided to push the release of Ontos to 2027. We look forward to sharing more updates about Ontos, our characters, and our world soon."
Unlike the more traditionally frightening Amnesia titles, Frictional has indicated that Ontos will lean into psychological and existential themes. The studio previously stated in January that the game would not focus on traditional stress or scares but rather on provoking thought and evoking a deep, lingering existential terror. This approach mirrors their 2015 release, Soma, which also explored complex philosophical ideas alongside its horror elements.
The studio aims for Ontos to deliver a narrative and gameplay experience that resonates with players long after completion, drawing parallels to the lasting impact of Soma. The delay is intended to ensure Frictional Games can fully realize this vision for its ambitious new project.