Examine bodies, photograph evidence, and venture deep into a swamp-ridden nightmare where survival and investigation become inseparable
[June 1, 2026] – Hanging from trees. Floating through flooded swamps. Watching from the darkness. Steelkrill Studio, creator of the NYX Award-winning horror game The Backrooms 1998, has officially unveiled Where Dolls Hang, a psychological survival horror game inspired by Mexico’s infamous Island of the Dolls (Isla de las Muñecas). Players step into the role of a detective investigating disappearances inside a living forest overrun with mannequins, puppets, and unnatural figures that seem to appear where they shouldn’t. Check out the haunting reveal trailer below.
What begins as a missing persons case slowly becomes personal as players search for clues tied to the disappearance of the detective’s own daughter. Investigate crime scenes, examine bodies, photograph evidence, and survive a hostile wilderness that grows increasingly dangerous after dark. Beyond the forest trails, flooded swamps, and hidden waterways can be explored by boat, leading to isolated locations filled with disturbing discoveries and hidden dangers.
Between investigations, players return to a customizable safehouse where they can craft supplies, upgrade equipment, and prepare for the next descent into the unknown. Dynamic weather systems, adaptive threats, survival mechanics, and immersive detective gameplay combine to create a horror experience where uncovering the truth can be just as terrifying as surviving the forest itself.
Key Features:
- Detective Investigation Gameplay: Examine bodies, place evidence markers, bag corpses, and photograph crime scenes using an in-game camera system
- A Living Forest Inspired by Real-World Folklore: Explore a disturbing wilderness inspired by Mexico’s infamous Island of the Dolls
- Survival Horror Exploration: Scavenge resources, craft tools and weapons, and upgrade your safehouse to survive increasingly dangerous nights deep within the forest.
- Boat Traversal & Swamp Exploration: Navigate flooded regions and hidden waterways while uncovering isolated areas cut off from the main map, and customize boats with unique perks and storage options
- Dynamic Threat & Weather Systems: Adapt to changing conditions as weather and darkness directly impact visibility, stealth, and enemy behavior
Where Dolls Hang launches on PC via Steam in 2026. Players can wishlist the game now and prepare to uncover the horrifying truth hidden deep within the forest.
About Steelkrill Studio
Steelkrill Studio is a solo indie developer focused on creating atmospheric horror experiences that merge innovative mechanics with strong audiovisual identity. The studio gained recognition with The Backrooms 1998, an NYX Award-winning psychological horror game that resonated strongly with players and content creators worldwide.
