The terrifying new title from the publisher of Buckshot Roulette and Mouthwashing invites players to uncover the secrets of a cursed Brazilian forest.
Publisher CRITICAL REFLEX and developer Monumental Collab have officially opened the floodgates to Drowned Lake. The indie horror game, steeped in Brazilian folklore and found-footage dread, has launched its first public playtest on Steam today.
The announcement comes alongside a chilling new trailer that premiered at the OTK Winter Games Expo, showcasing the game’s unique blend of isometric exploration and first-person terror.
Don’t Disturb the Water
Set deep within Brazil’s coastal forest, Drowned Lake centers on a sinister area known for swallowing trespassers. When a young student goes missing, players are thrust into a twisted, non-linear narrative told from three distinct perspectives: a firefighter, a journalist, and an elderly fisherman.
The gameplay is a mix of tension and investigation. You’ll navigate the dark waters by boat, literally “fishing” for evidence with a rod, while switching to first-person mode to solve intricate puzzles in narrow, claustrophobic areas.
Key Features:
- Three Perspectives: Unravel the mystery through the eyes of three different characters in a non-linear story where choices matter.
- Sound is Survival: Every action makes noise. Probe too deeply or too loudly, and you will attract unwanted attention from the horrors lurking in the dark.
- Brazilian Folklore: A tragic tale inspired by the unique mythology and culture of Brazil.
- Hybrid Gameplay: Blend isometric exploration with terrifying first-person puzzle sections inspired by escape rooms.
Players can join the playtest right now on the game’s Steam page. For a taste of the developer’s previous work, their 2023 analog horror hit TELEFORUM is also available for free.
Watch the new playtest trailer here: Drowned Lake – Playtest Trailer