Sonar Shock

by Raphael Bossniak

The Developer Says...

Submarine’s haunted! Hunt and be hunted in this horror dungeon crawler inspired by the decay of the Soviet Union (and immersive RPGs from the 90s).

Keywords

First-person dungeon crawler

Immersive survival horror gameplay

Tactical combat and resource management

Retro-style character customization

Challenging exploration and discovery

Nonlinear, multi-path progression

Sanity-draining supernatural elements

INFOBOX NOT FOUND! HOLY COW!

Players Like...

❤ Gameplay Mechanics

Players turn and move using tank controls, abandoning modern FPS movement. Mouse controls aim and UI interactions instead of camera perspective. Weapon handling requires physically dragging magazine icons into gun slots and pulling slides to reload. Loadout limits players to two weapons, forcing strategic weapon selection. Character creation allows specializing in PSI powers, melee combat, or ranged tactics.

❤ Combat and Survival Elements

Players manage ammunition with surgical precision, often carrying fewer than 10 rounds. Weapons feature nuanced mechanics like pistols with stun rounds or shotguns switching between buckshot and slugs. Sanity mechanic introduces hallucinatory effects: UI glitches, phantom enemies, screen distortions. Difficulty demands careful resource management and calculated risk-taking. Encounters become nail-biting tension as players weigh each potential action.

❤ Exploration and Progression

Environments shift from submarine corridors to unexpected locations like ancient libraries. Players uncover missions through meticulous exploration, with some objectives triggerable out of sequence. Character progression allows transforming from vulnerable rookie to powerful psionic warrior. Skill system prevents 'wrong' character builds, ensuring each playthrough feels viable.

❤ Atmosphere and Presentation

Soviet submarine setting blends Lovecraftian horror with dark comedic undertones. Pixel graphics create claustrophobic, oppressive environments. Sound design amplifies tension through minimal, strategic audio cues. Narrative balances serious supernatural investigation with absurdist moments.

❤ Unique Gameplay Innovations

UI deliberately mimics 1990s immersive sim interfaces. Consumable save system creates high-stakes decision-making. Psi powers introduce dynamic risk/reward gameplay. Interactive inventory management maintains constant threat.