From the creators of Ikai comes a new descent into darkness, putting players behind the wheel in Japan’s most haunted forests.
Independent studio Endflame has officially announced its latest project, Silent Road, a first-person psychological horror game that promises to turn a mundane night shift into a nightmare. Returning to the Japanese folklore roots that defined their debut title, Ikai, the developers invite players to take on the role of a taxi driver in a remote region known for a long history of suicides.
The announcement was accompanied by a new trailer, establishing a heavy, fog-drenched atmosphere that genre fans will instantly recognize.
The Night Shift from Hell
In Silent Road, the safety of the driver’s seat is an illusion. Players navigate lonely forest routes, abandoned highways, and mountain passes in the dead of night. The core gameplay loop revolves around picking up “peculiar passengers,” listening to their whispered stories, and watching as the ride—and the reality outside the windshield—grows progressively darker.
Unlike traditional walking simulators, Silent Road integrates driving mechanics with on-foot exploration. Players aren’t just observing; they must fulfill “unsettling requests” that force them to exit the safety of their vehicle to assist passengers. As the developers tease, “Simple tasks… that never feel safe.”
Inspired by the Classics
Endflame makes no secret of their inspirations. The game’s visual identity and oppressive atmosphere draw directly from heavyweights like Silent Hill f and Fatal Frame.
“We’ve always loved Japanese horror – the quiet tension, the atmosphere, the way it stays with you long after it ends,” said Endflame co-founders Laura Ripoll and Guillem Travila. “Silent Road is our way of embracing that call, pouring our hearts into crafting a frightening experience that also carries something deeper beneath the surface.”
Key Features
- Japanese Horror Setting: Explore a region shaped by tragedy, inspired by absolute legends of Japan’s haunted forests.
- Night-Shift Driving: Navigate winding mountain roads where the darkness hides more than just wildlife.
- Strange Passengers: Encounter characters whose disturbing stories unfold with every mile.
- Immersive Interactions: Step out of the car to perform tasks that leave you vulnerable to the entities lurking in the fog.
Release Information
Silent Road is currently in development for PC via Steam with a release date listed as “Coming Soon.” Endflame has confirmed that a playable demo will be released soon.
Horror fans can wishlist the game on Steam now to stay up to date on development.
Steam Page: store.steampowered.com/app/4124320/Silent_Road/