While the future of the Doom franchise has been a subject of player concern following recent layoffs at id Software, a new title is emerging to capture a similar hellish spirit. Deepward, a fast-paced first-person shooter with roguelite elements, promises a challenging experience where every life counts.
Deepward's announcement trailer showcases intense action, with players dual-wielding weapons to battle hordes of zombies. The game features a hellish environment called the Depths, which combines a creepy mansion with a labyrinth filled with torture chambers and acid rivers. Players will select from six distinct characters, each with unique weapons, abilities, and health meters, to confront monstrous enemies reminiscent of those found in Doom.
The game also incorporates a sanity system, drawing inspiration from Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem. As players delve deeper into the cursed estate, they will contend not only with monsters but also with hallucinations, visual distortions, and unsettling whispers. This blurring of reality and madness adds another layer of challenge, pushing players beyond their limits.
Developed by EchoFall Games, which includes former talent from Madfinger Games and HGames-ArtWorks, Deepward is slated for a Steam release sometime in 2027. A demo is currently available for those eager to sample its dark themes and relentless pacing.
