LURKS WITHIN WALLS: Everything We Know

Developer Here Be Monsters and publisher 2 Wedges have formally announced LURKS WITHIN WALLS, a survival-horror dungeon RPG that will reportedly take inspiration from the likes of Resident Evil, Parasite Eve, and Shin Megami Tensei. In addition to its odd similarities to the aforementioned trio of cult classics, the game will also include Siren Head designer Trevor Henderson—a prolific artist who has previously worked on creatures such as Long Horse and Bridge Worm. Suffice it to say, there’s a good set of bones already on the table here, and so, if you’re looking to delve into a fresh IP that comes with all the signature bells and whistles of a foolproof horror RPG, then you may want to jot this one down in your diary.

If you did happen to miss out on the announcement earlier this week, then don’t sweat it, as we’ve gone ahead and scraped the barrel for all the latest updates on the IP. Care to join us as we delve a little deeper into the horror RPG? Then let’s jump right in.

What Is LURKS WITHIN WALLS?

In the words of developer Here Be Monsters: “LURKS WITHIN WALLS is a tense survival horror game combining modern dungeon RPGs’ exploration elements with fast-paced turn-based combat.” With a gentle nod to the likes of Resident Evil and Parasite Eve, the game will transport players to the root of a terrifying nightmare—a world in which deep exploration is blended with “strategic combat and storytelling.” The game will also feature monster and enemy design elements that stem directly from the tainted mind of Siren Head creator Trevor Henderson.

Story

Going by the blurb that was teased earlier this week, LURKS WITHIN WALLS will center its premise around a building that’s under quarantine—a location in which you, playing as either a survivor or a police officer, will have the opportunity to shape the stories of those who’ve been left behind in a purgatory of their own making. It’ll be within this world that each character will bear a cross of some sort, and will look to you to keep them from falling to the monstrous foes that loom beneath the surface.

“A building under quarantine. Residents isolated. Those who failed to isolate themselves now stagger through the corridors, contaminated,” the elevator pitch reads in part. “But it’s not just the infected residents—the darkness conceals other anomalies. It feels as if the building itself is alive.”

Gameplay

LURKS WITHIN WALLS is a horror dungeon RPG that includes fragments of “fast-paced turn-based” combat, strategic gameplay, and hard-hitting storytelling. At the core of this trio of elements, you, acting on behalf of a voluntary squad of survivors, will take your place among the ranks, either as a survivor, or as one of the last-remaining police officers left to pick up the pieces in the aftermath of the quarantine period.

“Engage in intense, tactical battles against a range of nightmarish creatures. Gather weapons and items, and confront threats that demand strategy and resource management,” the descriptions adds. “Choose to play as surviving residents, armed with pipes and makeshift weapons, or police officers, striving to eliminate threats and save remaining survivors. Will you seek to escape or search for your lost loved ones?”

From the sounds of the blurb, the game will foster multiple stories for you to pluck out and explore, including but not limited to the ones pertaining to the survivors of the quarantine. As for how you will be able to shape the overarching narrative and steer each character towards their respective climaxes, however, is still something of a mystery. Nevertheless, with the game officially out in the open, it seems only likely that the developer will shed more light on the subject over the coming weeks or months. Fingers crossed, anyway.

Development

Developer Here Be Monsters officially lifted the veil on the horror IP back in the beginning of September, at which point the studio revealed a short but somewhat insightful gameplay trailer, as well as a thread of hallmark characters that will supposedly feature in the campaign. In addition to that, both the developer and its publisher stated that the game would be shaping up for a release on PC via Steam. The only thing that missed the mark during the reveal, however, was the release date. Here’s hoping that we catch more of it over the coming weeks, though.

Trailer

Good news: a short trailer outlining several of the game’s core themes and features came out a little earlier this week. Need we say more? You can check it out for yourself in the video embedded above.

Release Date, Platforms & Editions

LURKS WITHIN WALLS will be released on PC via Steam at some point in the (hopefully) not-so distant future. As it currently stands, neither 2 Wedges nor Here Be Monsters have announced a formal release date for the game, though from the sounds of the elevator pitch, it appears that an early to mid-2025 launch will be the most likely release window. Still, you should take that with a slight grain of salt, what with it still being in its early stages of publication and what have you.

So, will there be a console version of LURKS WITHIN WALLS? Eh, it doesn’t appear to be likely at this moment in time, though it could be that the likes of Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 receive a port at some stage in the foreseeable future. With that said, the jury’s out on this one, unfortunately. Never say never, though.

Interested in staying up to date with LURKS WITHIN WALLS ahead of its global debut? You can follow the project over on the official Steam page here. Alternatively, you can visit the website for additional details and live updates here.

So, what’s your take? Will you be picking up a copy of LURKS WITHIN WALLS when it arrives on PC via Steam? Let us know your thoughts over on our social channel here.