Studio Abattoir has revealed its debut game, the psychological horror open-world RPG The Pines, which is coming to PC next year.
The game, coming in 2027, will let players explore a handcrafted world filled with secrets, conspiracies, and uneasy residents. You’ll need to gather evidence, uncover the truth behind the retreat’s carefully maintained facade, and shape not only protagonist Edward’s story, but the lives of those around him.
The Pines Could Offer Up a Haunting RPG Experience
In The Pines, the story takes place after a case went cold for former detective Edward Walker, and now he is exhausted and desperate for peace. His therapist advises him to travel to The Pines, a secluded retreat that promises quiet, recovery, and therapists on site. It seems like the perfect place to leave his troubles behind.
Of course, you know it isn’t going to be as tranquil as advertised, and so, dark and terrible things emerge.
An interesting hook to The Pines is its Stalker system. If you say the wrong thing, cross the wrong person, or perhaps dig a little too deep into something unpleasant, one of the residents can return as a stalker, and they will haunt you throughout the forests surrounding The Pines.
A mixture of detective work and survial horror wrapped up in a choice-based RPG shell sounds pretty enticing and more than a little ambitious. I’m keen to see if Studio Abattoir can pull off this potentially terrifying juggling act.
You can wishlist the game on Steam now and keep an eye out for that release date when it arrives.
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