29 November 2025

New Horror Game on Steam is Like Little Nightmares with a Magical Twist

By newsgame

Horror games that blend surrealist visuals with oddly cozy vibes have continued to find success after the powerhouse debut of Little Nightmares, and Aya Games’ newly launched 2.5D platformer Ayasa: Shadows of Silence looks to follow in the footsteps of its spiritual predecessor while introducing unique gameplay mechanics that add a refreshing magical twist. Ayasa: Shadows of Silence is now available for PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, and fans of the Little Nightmares franchise and upcoming REANIMAL launch can delve into a brand-new world of haunting beauty with this twisted tale of shadow and light.

When the original Little Nightmares game was released in 2017, horror audiences were delighted by the otherworldly level design and silent narrative delivered through visual storytelling. The sequel would go on to expand the surreal realm of darkness and survival, spurring on similar experiences from other developers. Longtime platforming fans will likely point even further back to the 2010 release of Limbo as the driving force behind the popularity of solemn yet engrossing stories that balance horror and sentimentality with visually stunning aesthetics. The subsequent continued rise in popularity of cozy yet creepy games has brought about a number of cult classics and indie hits, and Ayasa: Shadows of Silence looks to join that growing library of titles that immerse players into a haunting journey.

26 Best Horror Games On Steam

Steams offers countless horror games that fans of the genre are sure to love. Here are some of the best ones available on the platform.

Ayasa: Shadows of Silence Blends the Horror of Little Nightmares with Magical Abilities

Ayasa: Shadows of Silence is a dark 2.5D platforming horror adventure game that blends puzzle-solving and environmental navigation with special magical abilities that manipulate the powers of shadow and light. Players are transported to the Inverted World, controlled by Tas, the Absolute, where they must traverse through the six lands of Faith, Hope, Love, Greed, Indifference, and Betrayal on a perilous journey to fight back the darkness and restore balance to the world before it succumbs to absolute destruction. The Inverted World, inspired by the familiar styles of Tim Burton and Hayao Miyazaki, will test Ayasa’s logic, timing, and creativity, as she uses her special abilities of time control, invisibility, and energy manipulation to reveal new paths, activate ancient machines, and drive away the darkness.

The melancholy minimalism of Ayasa: Shadows of Silence is paired with a deeply emotional soundtrack and plenty of visual symbolism to weave a fully dialogue-free narrative that sparks questions of morality and the impact of one’s decisions. Story-driven, choice-based endings help to further drive home the importance of even the smallest acts, offering a rich tale of both wonder and dread that will be influenced by Ayasa’s interactions with the world around her. Players who enjoy story-focused horror games can delve into the soul-searching quest of compassion and indifference with Ayasa: Shadows of Silence on PC, with plans for a release on consoles at a later date.

There is certainly no shortage of horror games on Steam, though many may be happy to see a new platforming title for the genre, rather than the abundant FPS walking simulators that have become incredibly popular in recent years. Fans of Little Nightmares in particular may be interested in Ayasa: Shadows of Silence following the less-than-stellar critical and audience reviews of Little Nightmares 3, which many felt was a bit too barren compared to its predecessors. Ayasa: Shadows of Silence‘s emphasis on players using their own innovative creativity to solve puzzles while also offering multiple endings depending on player choices could provide just what OG Little Nightmares fans are looking for while awaiting the upcoming launch of REANIMAL.

Moral dilemmas and multiple endings are certainly no stranger to the horror genre, with powerhouse AAA games like Silent Hill and indie standouts like Doki Doki Literature Club both offering strong stories that immerse players into uncanny worlds. Ayasa: Shadows of Silence looks to make its own impact in the realm of horror gaming, and interested players can now uncover the symbolic journey through the Inverted World and see if they will restore the balance or be consumed by darkness.