According to IGN, the first official gameplay trailer for Devil of the Plague has been revealed. The game is a co-op-enabled horror title with survival elements, described by its developers as “ritual horror.” Players take on the role of a plague doctor within an ancient cult known for sorcery and disease. A playable demo will be available during Steam Next Fest in February 2025. The game is then scheduled to enter Early Access in April 2025, and it can be wishlisted now on Steam.
So, What’s “Ritual Horror” Anyway?
That’s the term the devs are using, and it’s pretty evocative. It’s not just jump scares or running from monsters. It suggests a slower, more methodical kind of dread tied to specific actions and ceremonies. You’re not just surviving; you’re probably participating in the very thing that’s causing the horror. Playing as a plague doctor in a cult immediately sets a dark, arcane tone. It makes you wonder: are you fighting the plague, or are you its instrument? That’s a more interesting premise than your standard zombie shooter.
The Co-op Horror Calculus
Here’s the thing: co-op horror is a tricky genre to nail. It can either amplify the fear or completely deflate it. Will your friends’ panic make everything scarier, or will their dumb jokes ruin the atmosphere? The trailer hints at a challenge that scales, which is crucial. A game like this lives or dies on whether it can maintain tension when you have buddies along. If the “rituals” require coordination and silence, it could be brilliantly stressful. If it’s just another horde mode with a spooky skin, it’ll get old fast.
access-path”>The Early Access Path
Releasing into Early Access in April is a smart, modern move for a game like this. A February demo gives them a huge wave of feedback from Steam Next Fest. Then they have two months to tweak before the paid launch. This isn’t a massive AAA title; it’s a niche horror experience that will benefit from community shaping. The risk, of course, is that the “ritual” gameplay loop has to be compelling enough from day one to build that community. If the demo feels shallow or clunky, they might not recover. But getting it in front of players early is basically the best marketing and development tool they have.
Wishlist and Wait
So, should you wishlist it? If the idea of a methodical, cultist plague doctor simulator with friends sounds even remotely appealing, absolutely. The February demo is the real test. That’s your chance to see if the “ritual” mechanics have weight or if it’s all just aesthetic. The setting is undeniably cool, and the genre could use more inventive co-op ideas. Now we just have to see if the gameplay lives up to that fantastic, creepy premise.
