October is here, which means it’s officially horror game season. The PlayStation Store is loaded with free demos right now, and one of them feels like it was made specifically for Halloween nights. It’s called Dark Atlas: Infernum, a mysterious new horror game for PS5 that blends psychological terror, occult storytelling, and a good bit of surreal weirdness. Best of all, it’s completely free – no PS Plus needed.
A Perfectly Timed Horror Drop
Every year around this time, horror fans start digging through the PS Store for something new to spook themselves with. Sure, you could replay Resident Evil Village or Outlast, but it’s always fun to try something fresh – especially when it costs nothing.
Dark Atlas: Infernum comes from Night Council Studio, published by Selecta Play, and it hits all the right Halloween vibes: haunted whispers, cryptic symbols, collapsing dimensions, and a slow, eerie sense that something’s horribly off.
From the moment you start, the game sets a grim mood – quiet hallways, shadows that move when you’re not looking, and a voice in your head that won’t stop talking. It’s unsettling in all the best ways.
The Story: A Voice, a Memory, and the End of the World
As the Grand Master of an old order that has guarded the harmony between worlds, you take on the role of Natalia Asensio. When society begins to fall apart due to strange supernatural forces, things start to go south. Natalia awakens in a basement with no memory and a haunting voice whispering in her mind as ghosts appear and reality warps.
The game’s description says it best:
“Hear the voice in your head that haunts and tortures you. Follow its commands to the edge of the world. Embrace the darkness in Dark Atlas: Infernum, a first-person horror experience where you must remember who you are, stop the apocalypse, and face your demons.”
The story feels personal – not just about survival, but about facing the dark parts of your own mind. There’s an almost dreamlike quality to it, where you’re never quite sure what’s real and what’s just paranoia.
How It Plays: Classic First-Person Horror
If you’ve ever played Amnesia: The Dark Descent or Layers of Fear, you’ll have a rough idea of what to expect. Dark Atlas: Infernum is a first-person psychological horror game that relies on atmosphere, not weapons. There’s no combat. No health bar. Just you, the darkness, and whatever’s whispering from the shadows.
Gameplay focuses on:
- Exploring haunted locations that change and become more distorted the further you go.
- Solving environmental puzzles to reveal memories or open doors.
- Avoiding invisible things that occasionally show up when you least expect them to.
It’s that creeping dread kind of horror – the kind where you hold your breath, inch forward, and instantly regret turning the next corner.
A Little Rough, but Intriguing
Let’s be honest: Dark Atlas: Infernum doesn’t look like a high-budget game. The trailer shows moments that feel a bit janky – there’s even a fireball effect that seems to be running at half speed. But honestly, that roughness almost works in its favor.
Plenty of indie horror titles started off looking awkward before becoming cult hits (Phasmophobia, Madison, The Mortuary Assistant). What matters is the mood – and Infernum has that down perfectly.
That’s the great thing about demos, too. You can try it for yourself, see if it grabs you, and delete it if it doesn’t. No risk, no buyer’s remorse.
What Makes It Stand Out
What’s interesting about Dark Atlas is that it’s not about a helpless victim running from monsters. Natalia is powerful, even if she doesn’t remember it yet. As Grand Master of a hidden order, she’s tied to whatever’s happening – meaning the apocalypse unfolding around her might not be random.
That angle gives the game more depth than your typical “escape the ghost” horror setup. There’s mystery, lore, and a sense that you’re uncovering something ancient. Fans of Silent Hill or Alan Wake will probably enjoy that slow unraveling of reality.
Why It’s Worth Playing This Month
If you’re like most horror fans, October is when you start craving something creepy – and Dark Atlas: Infernum fits that craving perfectly. It’s free, it’s weird, and it’s short enough to finish in one sitting.
Even if the demo isn’t flawless, it nails the Halloween atmosphere – the quiet tension, the eerie whispers, the uncertainty about what’s real. It’s not trying to compete with big-budget horror games; it’s carving out its own niche.
Whether you end up loving it or not, it’s absolutely worth the download. Worst case, you get a few good scares for free. Best case, you discover an indie gem before everyone else does.
Looking Ahead
The full version of Dark Atlas: Infernum is expected to expand on the demo’s ideas – more dimensions, more twisted environments, and deeper exploration into Natalia’s psyche. Expect expanded storylines, new puzzles, and plenty of dark, surreal imagery.
If Night Council Studio can polish the rough edges while keeping that tense, claustrophobic feel, it might end up being one of the more memorable indie horror releases in the next year.
watch the release trailer of the game below
Final Thoughts
Dark Atlas: Infernum isn’t the prettiest game on the PS5, but it’s got something more important – atmosphere. It feels personal, handmade, and unsettling in ways that stick with you. It’s exactly the kind of game you download on a cold October night, turn off the lights, and instantly regret your decision halfway through.
You can grab the demo right now on the PlayStation Store. It’s free, it’s creepy, and it’s the perfect excuse to scare yourself before Halloween arrives.
