Info about Tenebris Somnia:

Official game description:
**Tenebris Somnia** is a survival horror adventure game in the same vein as classics like _Silent Hill_ or _Resident Evil_ - but adapted to a retro 2D aesthetic from the 8 or 16-bit era.
You will struggle to survive while solving puzzles and fighting **horrible** creatures.
Yet the secrets of the game lie within its **cinematics...**
When you reach certain key points you will see sequences from a **completely** different point of view, made in live action with real actors and practical effects - created by a professional and award winning film crew from Argentina.

Release date: Oct 16, 2026

Categories: Survival Horror, Puzzle Solving, FMV (Full-Motion Video), Pixel Art Style, 2D Exploration and Investigation, Inventory Management, Multiple Endings, Classic Survival Horror Gameplay


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 8.0h
  - Story completion: 6.0h
  - Session length: 2.0h
  - Endgame: 1.0h
  - Reasoning: Completion reports cluster around 6-8 hours: one reviewer finished in about eight hours, another cites a 7-8 hour playtime, and a third reports a first run finished in under six hours. I use about 8 hours for gameCompletion as a full finish and about 6 hours for storyCompletion based on the first-run report. A separate comment about multiple hours passing supports a sessionLength of roughly 2 hours, while the translated boss report supports about 1 hour for an endgame encounter.
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes:
  - Old-School Survival Horror Veteran (buy)
    - Motivation: Reliving the golden age of survival horror and testing mastery against new entries.
    - Playstyle: Methodical exploration and puzzle-solving, constantly comparing the game to genre classics.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Clock Tower; Resident Evil; Alone in the Dark
  - Atmospheric Horror Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: Immersing in the game's atmosphere, music, and narrative tension.
    - Playstyle: Attentive to audio-visual storytelling and pacing, valuing emotional engagement over challenge.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Indie/Argentinian Game Supporter (buy)
    - Motivation: Supporting the developers and promoting a locally made game.
    - Playstyle: Playing to show support and give visibility, regardless of personal skill or completion.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Live-action cutscenes praised (weight 0.82): The live-action FMV sequences are a major highlight, with high-quality filming, practical effects, and excellent acting. They add atmosphere and immersion.
- Creative and satisfying puzzles (weight 0.63): Puzzles are clever, logic-based, and avoid modern clichés. They require thought but are not cryptic, offering 'Ah-ha!' moments and narrative integration.
- Beautiful and cohesive visuals (weight 0.54): The game's visual presentation, including detailed 2D graphics and surreal locations, is highly praised. It has a strong style and cohesive aesthetic.
- Engaging and well-told story (weight 0.46): Players consistently praise the story as entertaining, interesting, and well-paced. It sustains curiosity through unsettling moments and multiple endings.
- Unique pixel-art and live-action fusion (weight 0.45): The blend of pixel art and live-action cutscenes is a standout feature, creating a unique visual identity and smooth transitions. It enhances key events and atmosphere.
- High-quality production values (weight 0.44): Reviewers note strong technical quality in cutscenes, animations, sound, and music. The production is competent and visually impressive.
- Immersive horror atmosphere (weight 0.35): The game creates a disturbing and dread-filled atmosphere through sound design, enemy design, and psychological horror elements. It provokes fear effectively.
- Compelling combat and boss battles (weight 0.34): Combat feels fighting-game-like with melee and timing-based mechanics. Boss battles are semi-puzzles and offer a great sense of achievement.
- Enjoyable soundtrack and sound design (weight 0.32): The chiptune soundtrack is varied and sometimes scary, while sound effects and silence compound the eerie atmosphere. Audio is well-regarded.
- Great value and high recommendation (weight 0.28): Players find the game worth the price, with substantial content and high enjoyment. It is highly recommended, especially for survival horror fans.
- Original and unique experience (weight 0.28): The game offers an original proposal that stands out from typical games, mixing cinema and video game in a fresh way. It is a unique survival horror experience.
- Surprisingly deep story (weight 0.27): The story is deeper than initially expected, with a smart narrative that surprises in the latter half. It includes cults and disturbing events.
- Smooth controls and accessible mechanics (weight 0.23): Controls are responsive and easy to learn, making the game accessible for casual players while still fun for veterans. Gamepad controls are convenient.
- Strong protagonist and acting (weight 0.23): The protagonist is well-developed, and the acting across all characters, including monsters, is incredible. Her mental deterioration is portrayed realistically.
- Strong horror cinema style (weight 0.23): The FMV sequences feel fitting for survival horror and are well-made, adding real value. The practical effects are fantastically campy yet impressive.
- Trusted developer and publisher (weight 0.21): The involvement of Andres Borghi and New Blood Interactive instills confidence. The developer's previous work (FAITH) is highly regarded.
- Engaging investigation and exploration (weight 0.17): The game encourages thorough exploration and investigation without hand-holding. Searching for items and clues is satisfying.
- Multiple endings and replayability (weight 0.1): The game has four endings that encourage replaying to find missed content. This adds significant value and longevity.

Common complaints:
- Combat feels weak and sluggish (weight 0.35): Reviewers describe combat as the weak point, with slow responsiveness, rigid animations, and a lack of dynamism. The system is also very simple, using only two buttons to ready and fire.
- Puzzles lack depth and fairness (weight 0.35): Puzzles are often considered too simple or lackluster, yet some are far-fetched or unsolvable without getting angry. Certain puzzles depend on color or intonation, making them inaccessible to players with sight or sound deficits.
- High boss difficulty frustrates players (weight 0.3): Multiple clusters report bosses that are too difficult, including Humpty and the third boss, which took about an hour of attempts with scarce resources. This steep challenge may quickly frustrate some players, and the game lacks a difficulty selector.
- Progression confusion and getting stuck (weight 0.29): Players report difficulty figuring out how to proceed at times and getting stuck on stairs or geometry. Those unfamiliar with adventure games may find progression particularly hard.
- Dull art style and poor ambience (weight 0.28): Reviewers find the pixel art and overall aesthetic dull, with unimaginative scenarios and an overall poor ambience. Live-action segments are also few and far between.
- Protagonist and narrative feel shallow (weight 0.23): The protagonist lacks depth, with focus shifted to the ex-boyfriend Ivan, and the game feels self-centered or like a developer self-insert. Constant unnecessary commentary from the protagonist further detracts from the experience.
- Scarce ammo and limited weapons (weight 0.16): Weapon variety is very small, offering only two melee weapons, a pistol, a shotgun, and one hidden weapon. Ammo scarcity compounds the challenge, especially during boss fights.
- Save system and controls need improvement (weight 0.16): There is no manual saving, with saves only at certain places, and controls cannot be customized as desired. This limits player convenience and accessibility.
- Survival mechanics complicated and tiring (weight 0.15): The survival portion was complicated for at least one reviewer, and nightmares in the game made the player very tired. These mechanics may detract from the overall experience.
- No Korean language support (weight 0.08): The game lacks Korean language support, which was noticed only after purchase. This limits accessibility for Korean-speaking players.
- Poor value for money (weight 0.08): The game is considered too expensive for what it offers, even with the 20% launch discount. This may deter potential buyers.
- Not enough challenging sections (weight 0.08): At least one reviewer felt the challenging sections were not enough and wants more difficulty. This suggests the game may not satisfy players seeking a tougher experience.

Gameplay feedback:
- Live-action cutscenes central (weight 0.97): The game heavily features live-action FMV cutscenes that play during key events. These cinematic sequences with real actors are a main novelty and are praised for their seamless integration.
- Classic survival horror gameplay (weight 0.72): The core gameplay follows classic survival horror mechanics, including resource management, backtracking, and exploration. It is reminiscent of early Alone in the Dark or Resident Evil, but in 2D pixel art style.
- Puzzle-solving core mechanic (weight 0.63): Puzzles are a central element, ranging from logic-based challenges to item combination and document reading. The puzzle design is clever and balanced, avoiding frustrating fetch quests.
- Combat is secondary and strategic (weight 0.57): Combat is not the main focus, with limited weapon variety and ammo scarcity that encourages avoidance over fighting. Boss battles are structured as semi-puzzles, and melee combat feels fighting-game-like.
- Retro aesthetic and style (weight 0.47): The game evokes old-school survival horror in the style of early Alone in the Dark games, with a retro pixel art aesthetic and chiptune soundtrack. It has detailed graphics and expressive animations.
- Pixel art with live-action (weight 0.45): The game mixes 2D pixel art exploration with live-action filmed scenes, creating a unique horror cinema aesthetic. This blend alternates between retro pixel visuals and full-motion video segments.
- 2D exploration and investigation (weight 0.44): The game involves 2D exploration of rooms and investigation of the environment to find clues. It is an adventure game with puzzle-solving and exploration elements.
- Puzzle variety and design (weight 0.42): Puzzles range from logic-based to unconventional tools like mirroring. The design is mostly balanced and clever, leaning on the simple side but interesting.
- Narrative-driven horror experience (weight 0.4): The game is story-driven with a strong narrative that includes twists in the latter half. It focuses on puzzles and story to drive the narrative forward.
- FMV horror with real actors (weight 0.35): It is an FMV horror experience featuring live-action cutscenes with real actors and practical effects. The FMV sequences are a key part of the horror atmosphere.
- Exploration and item gathering (weight 0.32): Exploration involves finding new rooms and investigating everything to get clues. The game includes backtracking and searching for items to progress.
- Multiple endings to discover (weight 0.29): There are multiple endings, specifically four according to Steam achievements. Players can discover different conclusions based on their actions and choices.
- Atmosphere and horror elements (weight 0.28): The game has a strong horror atmosphere with scary elements and nightmares as a game element. The chiptune soundtrack changes to something unsettling near the end based on player actions.
- Mix of pixel and live-action (weight 0.28): The presentation alternates between pixel art and live-action sequences, with cutscenes presented as videos. This mix is a distinctive feature of the game.
- Inventory and item management (weight 0.28): The game involves collecting, combining, and using items with an inventory that automatically organizes by type. Resource management is a key aspect of survival.
- Boss battles and specific encounters (weight 0.26): Boss battles are structured as semi-puzzles, including a fight against 'humpty'. Combat involves timing enemy actions and can require attention to positioning.
- Cinematic story with practical effects (weight 0.22): The story is cinematic with live-action cutscenes featuring practical effects and limited CGI. It blends campy effects with a serious narrative, creating a unique experience.
- Characters and story surprises (weight 0.21): The game features a protagonist and an ex-boyfriend character named Ivan, with story surprises in the latter half. Early videos have no dialogue, but the narrative develops with twists.
- Controls and interface (weight 0.21): The game can be played with mouse and keyboard or controller, with simple controls for interact, run, inventory, and combat. Inventory is automatically organized by type.

Performance notes:
No performancepoints

Recommendations:
- Great for horror fans (weight 0.36): Several reviewers explicitly recommend the game to horror enthusiasts and survival horror fans. It is described as essential for lovers of the genre.
- Strong overall recommendation (weight 0.35): Multiple reviewers broadly recommend the game with no significant caveats. It is described as highly recommended and worth playing without regret.
- Atmosphere and story praised (weight 0.29): Multiple reviewers highlight the game's atmosphere, mysterious story, and unusual cutscenes as major strengths. It is recommended for those seeking a well-paced and compelling mystery narrative.
- Appeals to old-school fans (weight 0.17): Reviewers recommend the game to fans of classic survival horror titles such as Clock Tower and Resident Evil. It also appeals to fans of visceral horror films like Possession and Hellraiser.
- Supports Argentine game development (weight 0.14): Some reviewers recommend buying the game to support developer Andres Borghi and the Argentine game industry. This is a niche but passionate reason for purchase.
- Not for everyone (weight 0.1): One reviewer notes it is not for those seeking perfect gameplay or who lose patience with heavy, slow combat. This caveat is important for players with specific preferences.
- Well-told stories recommended (weight 0.09): One reviewer recommends the game for anyone who enjoys well-told stories. This emphasizes the narrative quality as a key appeal.
- Play in the dark (weight 0.09): One reviewer suggests playing in the dark for the full effect. This highlights the game's use of atmosphere and immersion.
- Demo convinced buyers (weight 0.09): One reviewer gave a thumbs up based on the previous demo. This indicates that the demo was effective in generating positive expectations.
- English guides available (weight 0.08): One reviewer mentions that guides are available in English for reference. This is a practical note for players who may need help.

Other player notes:
- Argentine game industry and director (weight 0.5): The game is developed by Andrés Borghi and is part of the Argentine game industry, made in Argentina with New Blood Interactive as publisher. It was created by an Argentinian film crew and the FMV cutscenes were directed by filmmaker Andrés Borghi.
- Live-action FMV cutscenes (weight 0.41): The game's main novelty and selling point is its live-action acted cutscenes, which use practical effects, limited CGI, and no generative AI. The visuals combine pixel art with live-action footage, creating a distinctive atmosphere with strong sound work.
- Compared to classic survival horror (weight 0.39): Players compare the game to Silent Hill, Resident Evil, Clock Tower, Alone in the Dark, and classic FMV titles for its movie-like cutscenes and classic survival horror vibes. One reviewer noted it feels more like Silent Hill than recent entries in that series.
- Playtime and value (weight 0.26): The game has a playtime of about 7 to 8 hours, with one player finishing the first run in under 6 hours. Another felt the first 4 hours already justify the purchase.
- Language and accessibility (weight 0.25): The game does not support Korean language, but a Brazilian Portuguese translation is available. Guides are available in English, and it is playable with either mouse and keyboard or controller using Xbox layout.
- Positive review and classic status (weight 0.21): One reviewer rated the game 9.5/10 and already considers it a classic. The game had been on the reviewer's wishlist for a while.
- Comparisons to horror films (weight 0.2): Players compared the game to horror films such as Possession, Hellraiser, Videodrome, and The Evil That Lives in Us, as well as to YouTube fan-made movies that some found better than professional adaptations.
- Puzzle simplicity and depth (weight 0.2): The puzzles feel simpler compared to all survival horror games the reviewer has played, but the game was much deeper than the simple horror game expected. It is not an action horror game.
- Distinctive cinematic atmosphere (weight 0.14): The live-action integration, practical effects, scene direction, and sound work create a distinctive atmosphere that sets the game apart. The story initially seems like a film school fan fic but becomes smarter according to one reviewer.
- Story and relationship focus (weight 0.14): The game features a story about a relationship between the protagonist and Ivan, with no words exchanged in live-action scenes as body language and context bridge language gaps.
- Demo and full release (weight 0.14): The game had a demo and the full version is now available. One player based their experience on the previous demo and finished it after a first run.
- No difficulty selector (weight 0.07): The game has no difficulty selector, which may affect accessibility for some players.
- External detailed review available (weight 0.07): A more detailed review is available at an external link, providing further insights beyond the summary.

Emotions:
- Appreciation (weight 0.12): Players appreciate the game's beautiful visuals, creative puzzle design, and the clear passion behind its development. The blend of retro pixel art with live-action cutscenes and accessible survival horror mechanics also stood out as highlights.
- Admiration (weight 0.09): Reviewers admire the game's strong artistic identity, excellent acting, and high production quality in its live-action cutscenes, sound, and music. The innovative puzzle design and cohesive aesthetics were also praised.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.09): Players find the puzzles clever and well-balanced, with boss battles that feel like semi-puzzles rather than button-mashing. The game delivers a satisfying gameplay loop and good value, meeting or exceeding expectations.
- Love (weight 0.06): Players love the game's unique blend of pixel art and live-action sequences, as well as its creative logic-based puzzles. The overall experience is enjoyable and distinctive.
- Frustration (weight 0.06): Frustration stemmed from difficult boss fights like Humpty, rigid combat animations, and getting stuck on geometry. Some also disliked the protagonist's constant commentary and the complicated survival mechanics.
- Excitement (weight 0.05): Excitement comes from anticipation for the story's direction and the engaging FMV horror experience. The full release being available after a long wait also generated enthusiasm.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.05): Players enjoyed the well-told story and solid gameplay, particularly the horror atmosphere enhanced by FMV cutscenes. The overall experience was entertaining and immersive.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.05): Enthusiasm was driven by the game being a strong entry for survival horror fans, with its successful blend of simplistic visuals and FMV cutscenes. The grotesque practical effects in live-action scenes were particularly exciting.
- Fear (weight 0.03): The game effectively provokes fear through its unsettling atmosphere, scary events, and certain music tracks near the end. Some players were so frightened they needed to take breaks.
- Interest (weight 0.03): Interest was sparked by the intriguing story and the effective combination of live-action cutscenes with survival horror gameplay. The plot grabs attention from the beginning.
- Curiosity (weight 0.02): The script sustains curiosity, especially during the most unsettling moments, making players want to know how the story continues. This drive to uncover more kept them engaged.
- Surprise (weight 0.02): Players were surprised by how much deeper and smarter the story turned out to be, with unexpected twists in the latter half. The game exceeded initial expectations.
- Pride (weight 0.02): Pride stemmed from supporting an original Argentine-made game that avoids gratuitous national references. Players felt good about backing a local production.
- Amazement (weight 0.02): Amazement came from the game delivering the most unique survival horror experience in years, with incredible real video sequences. The originality left a strong impression.
- Disappointment (weight 0.02): Disappointment arose from unmet high expectations, as the game felt dull with unnecessary commentary, lackluster puzzles, unimaginative scenarios, and poor ambience. Lack of Korean language support after purchase also disappointed some.
- Concern (weight 0.02): Concern was felt for players unfamiliar with adventure games who might find the game difficult, and for others potentially frustrated by high boss difficulty. These accessibility issues worried reviewers.
- Engagement (weight 0.02): Engagement came from sections requiring attention to positioning and startup/recovery frames, as well as the absorbing psychological horror atmosphere and intelligent backtracking. These elements kept players deeply involved.
- Fun (weight 0.01): Fun was primarily derived from the enjoyable puzzles. The puzzle design provided a satisfying and entertaining challenge.
- Dread (weight 0.01): Dread was experienced when entering new rooms and hearing noises, creating a tense and foreboding atmosphere. This sense of unease contributed to the horror experience.
- Impressed (weight 0.01): Players were impressed by the unique use of live-action cutscenes, which stood out as a creative and effective element. This distinctive approach left a strong positive impression.}