Developer: Steelkrill Studio
Platform: PC (Reviewed)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Simulation
Publisher: Steelkrill Studio
The 18th Attic is a psychological horror game where you hunt down paranormal anomalies by taking their pictures. This game was developed and published by Steelkrill Studio. This game is similar to games like The Cabin Factory and other anomaly detection games.
The 18th Attic is an anomaly-hunting horror game that quietly builds tension through observation, sound, and environmental storytelling rather than relying purely on loud scares. While the premise initially seems simple, the game slowly reveals a surprisingly engaging narrative as you progress.
As you discover anomalies throughout the attic, you overhear distant conversations between characters, primarily revolving around James and Emily. Emily, who speaks when anomalies are captured, often makes remarks related to what you have just found, subtly turning the environment into the story. This method of storytelling works really well; it never interrupts the gameplay, but it constantly feeds your curiosity. Without giving too much away, by the end of the game (after reaching the 55th floor), the story between Emily and James feels complete, and the ending is genuinely worth working toward, especially given the minimal amount of voice acting used. It’s not your extraordinary story, but it ties in well with this type of gameplay.
The core mechanics of The 18th Attic revolve around careful observation. Your task is to scan each floor closely and photograph anything that differs from the ‘default’ version of the attic floor. If you take a photo of something that is not an anomaly, you waste a camera cartridge, though there is no need to worry so much about this, as the game gives you items in a balanced manner. This is where the game adds an extra layer of tension compared to other anomaly-hunting titles. Alongside limited camera usage, your character also has health, meaning you cannot just brute force your way through floors by guessing. You are encouraged to slow down, double-check details, and trust your instincts. After cycling through the floors several times, some differences are spotted easily.
One mechanic I loved is the stress system. If your character becomes too stressed while hunting anomalies, you can calm them down by petting your cat. Not only is this a genuinely wholesome moment in an otherwise tense experience, but you can also slightly customise the cat’s appearance, which adds a small but personal touch to the game. Successfully spotting an anomaly allows you to proceed to the next flight of stairs, giving each correct find a satisfying sense of progression.
The 18th Attic is extremely impressive, especially for a game made by a solo developer. The attic environment feels incredibly realistic, porcelain vases and statues have a glossy shine, dust particles float through the air as you walk, and the space feels heavy and lived in. The sound design is quite nice. There is no music (besides the subtle tune when interacting with the radio), which turns out to be a great choice. Instead, you’re left with subtle ambient noises that constantly keep you on edge. Heavy and light footsteps echo differently as you move, the lighter flickers softly, and faint sounds in the distant makes you question things even more. Occasionally, you will catch glimpses of strange figures peeking out from behind objects, and even the smallest jumpscare is enough to give you that spook.
This game offers two different modes. Story mode is a more relaxed experience where you are not hunted while looking away. This makes it ideal for new players or anyone who wants to focus on learning the mechanics and absorbing the atmosphere without constant anxiety. It took me roughly one hour to complete story mode, and that was without finding all anomalies. Chase Mode, on the other hand, is where things get intense. In this mode, you are actively hunted while searching for anomalies, turning every decision into a risk. The frantic nature of this mode makes even familiar environments feel dangerous, and the balance of anomalies is well done; some are obvious, while others are incredibly subtle, like a shadow that blends into a chair.
Not every floor contains an anomaly, which I really appreciated. Sometimes, you will reach the stairs only to be greeted by a ‘friendly figure’, signalling that you missed something. That moment alone forces you to reflect on what detail slipped past you. Some anomalies move toward you while others blend seamlessly into the environment, keeping each floor unpredictable.
Overall, The 18th Attic stands out nicely among anomaly hunting games by adding genuine stakes through limited resources, health, and stress. It encourages patience and awareness rather than trial-and-error gameplay. I loved how the narrative unfolded naturally through anomaly hunting, and the loop of observation, discovery, and story progression made perfect sense. For a solo developer project, the polish is impressive, and the game knows exactly what it wants to be.
If you enjoy anomaly-hunting games but want something that pushes you to really pay attention, while telling an intriguing story, this is definitely worth checking out. The 18th Attic is a smart, atmospheric horror game where you are invited to make observations that are extremely immersive. Be sure to check out The 18th Attic and experience what an ‘endless’ loop in the same room can feel like!
Overall: 8/10
This is S & S. We are world game explorers. We play games. We have played over 10,000+ games! We travel, we write reviews AND we play more games!!!!
