Studio Ellipsis officially showcased Nightholme at a preview event in Lisbon during mid-March. The developer introduced a new extraction horror title where players transform into the monsters they hunt. Polygon attended the hands-on session to evaluate the early build and gather details on the upcoming release. The event took place at the studio headquarters located in Portugal.
Core Gameplay Mechanics
Participants explored a suburban environment where three-person teams navigated dark streets safely. The game utilizes a MOBA structure where players earn experience points to purchase skills continuously. Every enemy poses a significant threat, requiring careful tactical planning to survive the night. Players start on a level playing field and must earn XP to spend on abilities.
Lovecraftian horrors skulk in the shadows, waiting to pinpoint player locations through sound. Specific creatures include the Fearmonger and the aerial Void Shepherds that patrol main roads. These enemies guard specific resources known as gloomhearts near extraction points. The Fearmonger appears almost werewolf-esque and will grab you from behind with its tongue.
Successful extraction allows players to retain their inventory for future use in the persistent world. Players collect gloomhearts to spawn a colossal boss named the Rooted Mother. This raid-esque encounter demands coordination among multiple teams working together. The Rooted Mother sprouted out of the earth and wielded a formidable spear.
Strategic Depth and Risks
A control class character is essential because they possess the only ranged attack in the early build. Other players must rely on melee combat and stealth to eliminate foes effectively. Noise attracts additional enemies, making quiet movement crucial for survival in the darkness. Players can turn their lantern off to become a blur in the periphery of monsters.
The experience combines PvP and PvE elements within the same session to create tension. Players may encounter other humans hellbent on taking them down for their hard-earned loot. No weapons exist in the game because the characters themselves serve as the primary weapon against threats. You must drink a serum before entering that transforms you into a version of the monsters.
Studio head Alex Amancio described the core philosophy regarding power and corruption in interviews. He compared the mechanic to a Nietzschean concept where looking into the abyss invites the abyss to look back. This transformation drives the character insane while increasing visibility to opponents significantly. "He stated that you either have control or power, and everything is on a razor's edge," Amancio said.
The pre-alpha build showed signs of being months away from a commercial release schedule. Developers acknowledged the presence of bugs and unfinished assets during the preview session. Despite these issues, the foundation appears solid for future development and refinement. There were under-developed skill trees in the version played by the journalist.
Polygon noted similarities to titles like Arc Raiders and Dead by Daylight within the genre. The team aims to innovate within the horror and multiplayer genres by blending features from successful games. This approach distinguishes the project from simple copies of existing games on the market. Elements of League of Legends and Left 4 Dead also appear in the design.
The development team plans to refine the skill trees and vendor systems before launch. Players will need to balance trust and betrayal as they progress through the game world. The industry watches closely to see if this hybrid model succeeds in the competitive market. Vendors will offer quests and sell items once the full build arrives.
