Beware of stalkers
We have our eyes on another upcoming psychological horror game. It’s called The Pines, and it’s made by solo developer Studio Abattoir, which is based in the Netherlands. The studio’s debut game is heading to PC via Steam in 2027.
The Pines is an RPG with open-world exploration, character progression, detective work, and combat. It all takes place in a picture-perfect therapy retreat which has unstable residents, buried secrets, and one massive conspiracy.
You play as Edward Walker, a former detective whose life has been dragged down by a failed investigation. Looking for some recovery, he follows his therapist’s advice and heads to The Pines, a secluded retreat deep in the forest. The place promises peace, quiet, therapy, recovery, and therapists on site.
Edward’s chance for healing quickly turns into a surreal, paranoid mystery that connects to his own past. The more he digs, he notices inconsistencies. Small details don’t match. Stories don’t line up. Everyone seems to be hiding something.
Exploration is a major part of the gameplay. You can focus on the main investigation or wander off and chase strange side stories you hear from residents. The retreat and the surrounding areas are free to explore.
The people living at The Pines are quite diverse, too. Residents come from all walks of life, and every one of them carries their own history, trauma, motivations, and secrets. At first, the community appears warm and welcoming, but that feeling slowly starts to crack.
Lastly, let me tell you about the game’s most unusual feature: the Stalker System. It reacts directly to your actions. Say the wrong thing, cross the wrong person, or dig too deeply into secrets, and a harmless resident might come back as a Stalker.
You can wishlist The Pines on Steam now.
Also, read our news on Popular Strategy Board Game Flamecraft Steam Demo.
