As part of IGN Fan Fest, solo developer Vincent Adinolfi and horror publisher DreadXP have revealed that Heartworm will be coming to PC this spring. At retro survival horror game, it wears its inspiration on its sleeves with hints of genre classics like Resident Evil and Silent Hill. But you don’t have to already love games of this type to fall in love with the horror.
New players to the genre will be able to enjoy mechanics, controls, and graphics inspired by games from the late 90s. Adinolfi and DreadXP have also noted that while the effects will be of the time, there will be an option to turn some effects off for a slightly more modern experience.
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Heartworm follows Sam. Grief-stricken over the death of her beloved grandfather, Sam falls down an internet rabbit hole, driven by the hope of reconnecting with him. Following a lead from a mysterious forum, she ventures to a supposedly supernatural house in the mountains, desperate to contact the other side. The new trailer examines some gameplay, including the camera-based combat, exploration, and puzzles.
Heartworm offers a short playtime with multiple endings to keep you coming back.
A game defined by its retro horror atmosphere, Heartworm offers 4 to 6 hours of gameplay with multiple endings. It also features pre-rendered and in-game cutscenes with a focus on exploration with classic puzzles and limited combat where the player will use a camera as a weapon. All set to a haunting original soundtrack.
Even with its 90s homage, it also features a modern control scheme with 3rd person over-the-shoulder aiming and optional classic tank controls, playing to both modern and nostalgic audiences. The visuals also feature optional pixelation and retro effects that call back to the first 3D console era for a more authentic experience. This is important given how many recreations of the 90s video game aesthetic can make some players motion sick (hi, me, I’m player).
Who is the Heartworm developer?
Vincent Adinolfi is a solo developer-turned-indie studio lead based out of Connecticut. Adinolfi is a multidisciplinary artist who has been working on video games in concept since adolescence and in practice since 2019. He is drawn toward horror and more surreal and artistic interpretations of what goes bump in the night. He aims to create beautiful and deeply unsettling games and is currently working with his team on their first published title – Heartworm.
The psychological survival thriller will be releasing on PC in spring 2025 and a demo is currently available on Steam.
