DreadXP has announced that it has acquired the publishing rights for “Heartworm,” a retro psychological survival horror game that pays tribute to the low-fidelity look and feel of ’90s survival horror titles like “Silent Hill” and “Resident Evil.”
From developer Vincent Adinolfi, “Heartworm” is a nostalgia-wrapped nightmare about one girl’s battle with grief and the otherworldly manifestations that may hold the key to the afterlife. Driven by her obsession with the deaths of those closest to her, “Heartworm” protagonist Sam spends her days crawling the internet looking for something — an answer or distraction, perhaps to alleviate her pain. Her morbid research takes her deep into the dark web, where she stumbles upon an internet message board about a mysterious house in the mountains that supposedly has a connection to the afterlife. The board states that no one who has visited the house has ever returned. Internet folklore? Conspiracy theory ramblings? Sam, consumed by her grief, seeks out the house in desperation; consequences be damned.
“Heartworm” is a game about the memories we keep and the ones we wish we could forget. These themes are expressed through its emotionally charged narrative and early console-era game design, featuring cinematic fixed camera angles, low-rez, retro 3D graphics, and optional tank-style controls. Players will be enveloped in its surreal suburban setting, where they’ll face various ghastly enemies with a weaponized camera (with over-the-shoulder aiming) and solve puzzles. The game also features in-game and classically-styled pre-rendered cutscenes, multiple unlockable endings, and a beautiful yet haunting soundtrack.
“Words can’t express how excited I am that DreadXP picked up Heartworm,” said developer Vincent Adinolfi. “There was a lot of uncertainty last year for the game — between the unexpected end of our previous publishing agreement and the general air of uncertainty in the industry, I wasn’t sure I would be able to finish this game that I’ve put everything into.”
“Heartworm” has been in the works for several years, with the first demo released back in January 2020. An updated demo arrived on Steam in 2022, and a publisher for the game was acquired to help fund, port, market, and localize the game shortly thereafter. Unfortunately, late in October 2023, the publisher terminated the contract due to financial issues, leaving the project incomplete. Adinolfi was considering a Kickstarter to help complete the game, but with Dread XP stepping in, it looks like that will no longer be required.
“Heartworm” will be released for Windows PC on Steam in 2025. Fans can wishlist the game on Steam and download the demo today.
