Prepare to sacrifice your own blood in a nightmarish reimagining of Spain. The horror heavyweights at Blumhouse Games partner with Vermila Studios to deliver a first-person descent into madness where folklore, religion, and survival collide.
The curtain is about to rise on one of the most uniquely unsettling horror experiences of the year. Blumhouse Games, the gaming division of the legendary production company behind cinematic terrors like M3GAN, Get Out, and Insidious, and developer Vermila Studios, have announced that Crisol: Theater of Idols will launch worldwide on February 10, 2026.
This first-person horror-action adventure will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. In a move that respects the wallets of horror fans everywhere, the game is launching at a budget-friendly $17.99 USD, with Steam players receiving an additional 10% launch discount for a limited time.
For those too eager to wait for the full release, a playable demo is currently available for download on Steam, offering a first taste of the blood-soaked streets of Tormentosa.
Welcome to Tormentosa: A Spanish Nightmare
Crisol: Theater of Idols transports players to a setting rarely explored in gaming: a twisted, nightmarish reimagining of early 20th-century Spain, referred to in-game as the world of “Hispania.”
The action centers on the Isle of Tormentosa, a location that lives up to its name. It is a place where the lines between beauty and malevolence are blurred, and where history has been corrupted by dark rituals. The developers at Vermila Studios have crafted a world steeped in authentic Spanish folklore and religious iconography, but twisted into something grotesque.
The imagery is striking. Players will navigate a world dominated by the uncanny terror of sacred rituals gone wrong. The game’s enemies are not standard zombies or aliens; they are the idols themselves. Terrifying statues of saints, carved from stone and wood, have come to life, stalking the player through the eerie landscapes. It is a subversion of the sacred, turning symbols of comfort and salvation into agents of death.
The Blood Ammo System: A Risk in Every Shot
While the atmosphere does the heavy lifting for the horror, the gameplay mechanics introduce a frantic layer of survival tension. Crisol: Theater of Idols introduces a high-stakes resource management system that redefines the concept of “survival horror.”
In most games, ammunition is a resource you find in boxes or buy from merchants. In Crisol, ammunition is flowing through your veins.
The game features a unique “Blood Ammo” system. To reload your weapon, you must sacrifice your own health. This creates a constant, agonizing strategic dilemma for the player. Every shot fired is a literal piece of your life force. Do you take the shot to put down a monstrous foe, knowing it brings you one step closer to death? Or do you prioritize your health and seek another approach, risking being mauled in the process?
This mechanic forces a calculated, desperate playstyle. Spraying and praying is not an option when the bullets are made of your own blood. It ties the narrative themes of sacrifice and martyrdom directly to the controller in your hands.
Gabriel’s Divine Mission
Players step into the boots of Gabriel, a soldier burdened with a heavy destiny. Gabriel is not just fighting for survival; he is on a journey to fulfill a divine mission entrusted to him by the “Sun God.”
This narrative hook adds a layer of mystical intrigue to the visceral horror. As Gabriel explores the haunted streets of Tormentosa, he must peel back the layers of the island’s chilling history. The plot promises to delve deep into cults, blood sacrifices, and the twisted devotion that has brought the statues to life.
As Gabriel, you are armed with the ability to use your blood as a deadly weapon, a gift (or curse) that aligns with the game’s themes of bodily sacrifice. Along the way, players will uncover secrets hidden in the environment, piecing together the lore of this broken world while upgrading their weapons and skills to survive the escalating threats.
The Team Behind the Terror
Crisol: Theater of Idols marks the debut title for Vermila Studios, an independent developer based in Madrid, Spain. As an Epic MegaGrant recipient, the studio has already garnered attention for its technical prowess and artistic vision.
The team’s background is crucial to the game’s identity. Being based in Spain allows Vermila to infuse the game with cultural authenticity that an outsider studio might miss. The folklore, the architecture, the specific style of the religious iconography—all stem from a genuine understanding of the source material, refracted through a lens of dark fantasy.
“Based in Spain, Vermila Studios is an independent game development studio… dedicated to creating immersive worlds,” the developer profile states. “The team brings expertise in 2D, 3D, animation, and technical art.”
Partnering with Blumhouse Games provides the perfect platform for this debut. Blumhouse has built an empire on identifying unique, terrifying concepts and bringing them to a mass audience. Their involvement signals a vote of confidence in Vermila’s vision and suggests that Crisol aligns with the “high-concept horror” brand for which Blumhouse is known.
Key Features at a Glance
For players deciding whether to enter the theater, here is what Crisol brings to the table:
- Ammo System: The defining mechanic. Reload with blood, sacrifice health, and make every shot count.
- Spanish Folklore: A setting rich in cultural horror, featuring a world of rituals, cults, and animated iconography.
- Exploration: The Isle of Tormentosa is a character in itself, full of secrets, haunted streets, and eerie landscapes.
- Survival: Resources are scarce, foes are grotesque, and choices are tough.
- Upgrades: Enhance your weaponry and upgrade Gabriel’s skills to prolong your survival.
- Atmosphere: Chilling visuals and sound design create a constant state of tension.
Launch Details and Availability
Release Date: February 10, 2026 Price: $17.99 USD Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam) Rating: Mature 17+ / PEGI 18
The game supports voice-overs in both English and Spanish, further leaning into its cultural roots. Text localization covers a broad spectrum of languages, including French, Italian, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Polish, and Chinese, ensuring the horror of Tormentosa can be experienced globally.
With its budget price point, distinct visual style, and the backing of a horror juggernaut, Crisol: Theater of Idols is positioning itself as the first must-play indie horror hit of 2026.
Will you survive the Theater of Idols, or will your blood be spilled on the altar of the Sun God? The performance begins on February 10.
For more information, visit the official Blumhouse Games website or check out the Steam store page.
