New Steam Horror Game Has Serious Silent Hill Vibes

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Many recent horror games draw inspiration from classic 90s survival horror titles, and Carnival Massacre is no exception. It deliberately evokes that nostalgic feel with its visuals while offering a fresh and thrilling experience in a spooky, abandoned theme park. Released on December 29, 2025, exclusively for PC on Steam and Itch.io, Carnival Massacre lets fans of classic horror relive a beloved era of gaming with a brand new, terrifying story.

As a huge fan of classic survival horror, the moment I saw Carnival Massacre, it instantly reminded me of playing Silent Hill 3 as Heather Mason. It’s got that same vibe – a creepy amusement park, disturbing characters, and this feeling of dread as you play a teenage girl desperately searching for someone she cares about. It feels both nostalgic and new, like a fresh take on something I already love. It’s a really cool experience for anyone who grew up with those older horror games!

Carnival Massacre Trailer Evokes Memories of Silent Hill 3 and Other Horror Classics

In the game Carnival Massacre, you play as Harley, a 17-year-old whose younger sister, Chloe, disappeared just two weeks prior. Haunted by nightmares, Harley bravely searches for Chloe herself. What begins as a seemingly straightforward search quickly turns terrifying as Harley faces unimaginable horrors within the eerie Pebble’s Wonderland theme park. To find her sister, she’ll have to battle frightening creatures, solve challenging puzzles, and carefully manage her limited supplies.

Like other modern survival horror games with a retro feel, players controlling Harley will use guns to fight enemies and solve puzzles to uncover the mystery of Chloe’s disappearance. The shooting feels similar to classic games like the original Silent Hill and Resident Evil, and the puzzles – especially those involving pianos and shadows – clearly pay homage to those earlier titles. Carnival Massacre also includes a storage box for items, much like the crates found in Resident Evil, and one scene, where Harley examines her father’s car, is a direct nod to the opening of Silent Hill 2.

Image via BEDTIMESTORIES

Carnival Massacre openly embraces the style of classic survival horror games, appealing to both longtime fans and newcomers. If you’ve enjoyed recent indie horror titles like Heartworm, Crow Country, or Fear the Spotlight, you’ll likely find a similar experience here. While the game is relatively short – most players finish in about 2-3 hours – it’s been praised for its captivating story, fully voiced cutscenes, nostalgic PS1-style graphics, and a fantastic rock soundtrack that feels like it came straight out of the late 90s or early 2000s.

I stumbled across this new indie horror game called Carnival Massacre, and it’s seriously got my attention. The full game is only five bucks, but right now it’s on sale for just $4.24 – the deal ends January 12th, so you gotta be quick! They even have a free demo if you want to try before you buy. It’s giving me major Silent Hill 3 vibes, and Steam users seem to agree – it’s got a “Very Positive” rating. If you’re like me and love a good, creepy mystery with a nostalgic feel, I’d definitely check this one out. It looks like a short, sweet, and spooky adventure.

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2026-01-04 01:04