Project Looking Glass, an exploration-driven psychological horror game, is now available on PC. The title places players in the role of a grieving woman participating in clandestine Cold War astral projection experiments. Developed by solo indie developer MORPH, the game aims to create a unique and engaging experience for players.
The core gameplay involves navigating through environments that represent the protagonist's memories. Players are tasked with telewarping around these psychological landscapes, encountering surreal imagery and challenging puzzles. The presentation features a crackly CRT aesthetic, which contributes to the game's unsettling atmosphere. Success often requires gathering audiologs and making deductions to progress through the narrative.
One example of the game's design involves stepping out into a field of blossoms that turns black as a radiant black slab nearby turns white. Entering this slab can transport the player to new areas, such as a room with a locked door and a television, which in turn leads to encounters with abstract entities. The game's map is presented with abstract placenames like "A Huge Mistake," further emphasizing the psychological nature of the journey. Swirling, colored lights on the walls enhance the disorienting ambiance.
Developer MORPH, who is also a musician and visual artist, stated on Steam that Project Looking Glass is their second game as an indie developer. They aim to create art that they themselves enjoy, describing the game as "weird looking and strange" and expressing hope that players will connect with it. The developer also offers an apology in advance for the game's bleak ending.
The demo provides approximately 40 minutes of playtime, offering a glimpse into the otherworld. The game is noted for its surprisingly open-ended nature and some challenging puzzles, though the CRT presentation can occasionally obscure details. Players who enjoy Project Looking Glass may also find similarities in the game Eclipsium, though the latter is described as considerably more unsettling. The game does contain portrayals of death by hanging in its opening areas.