Steelkrill Studio, the award-winning developers behind the bone-chilling The Backrooms 1998, have officially pulled back the curtain on their next nightmare. The indie studio has announced that their latest horror venture, The 18th Attic, is set to launch on February 2, 2026.
Following in the footsteps of its predecessor, The Stairway 7—which gained massive traction after being featured by YouTube sensation Markiplier—The 18th Attic promises to blend nostalgic psychological horror with innovative survival mechanics.
A Fusion of Horror Legends
Described by the developers as "Fatal Frame meets Resident Evil," the game centers on a tense, atmosphere-driven experience. Players must navigate a haunting environment armed with a Polaroid camera to capture and fend off supernatural entities. The game leans heavily into the "ghost photography" subgenre, requiring players to face their fears through a viewfinder to survive the encroaching darkness.
Sanity, Survival, and... Cats?
What truly sets The 18th Attic apart is its unique approach to mental health and character stability. As players are stalked and attacked by the attic's inhabitants, their sanity levels drop, distorting their perception and increasing their vulnerability.
In a mechanic that recently went viral on Imgur, Steelkrill Studio revealed a heartwarming (yet eerie) solution to this terror: petting your cat. A feline companion stays by your side throughout the journey, and interacting with it serves as the primary way to reduce anxiety and restore sanity. It’s a grounded, "just like real life" mechanic that provides a brief emotional respite from the surrounding horrors.
Mark Your Calendars
With a proven track record of delivering NYX Award-winning scares, Steelkrill Studio appears to be doubling down on the atmospheric dread that made their previous titles cult hits. The newly released announcement trailer showcases a gritty, claustrophobic aesthetic that fans of classic survival horror will immediately recognize.
The 18th Attic arrives on February 2, 2026. Prepare your camera, keep your cat close, and get ready to face what lurks in the rafters.
