Frictional Games, the studio behind acclaimed titles like Amnesia: The Dark Descent and Soma, has provided a closer look at its next project, Ontos, through a new 10-minute gameplay video. The footage showcases the game's unsettling atmosphere and a narrative focus on philosophical puzzles rather than jump scares, set within a peculiar "mad science hotel" on the moon.
The preview reveals an environment characterized by curving padded walls, vibrant utility pipes, and metallic surfaces, creating a visually striking yet uncomfortable setting. While not overtly terrifying, the game employs subtle environmental cues, such as a "no running" sign positioned near a dark area, to heighten player unease. These elements echo the atmospheric dread found in Frictional's previous works, with journal entries hinting at themes of clones and artificial copies, potentially linking back to Soma's narrative.
A central, peculiar element featured in the video is an AI server constructed from rats, which the developers refer to as a "talking rat wall." This unusual entity is presented as a subject of gruesome rewiring and experimentation, with its serried rat tails twitching as it communicates. The developers have indicated that there are multiple ways to interact with and resolve scenarios involving this entity, with further details shared on their Steam blog.
While the gameplay preview does not offer definitive answers to the more whimsical questions posed by observers, such as whether the rat wall can play video games, it effectively communicates the game's intended tone. The focus appears to be on exploration and interaction with story-rich, puzzle-oriented elements like computer terminals, whiteboards, and dictaphones. A fleeting suggestion of direct hostility is present in the form of a security camera that can be evaded. The game is slated for release next year.