Developed and published by Mad Rat Game, Chiasmus is a puzzle-driven dark fantasy horror title slated for a 2026 release. A free playable demo is currently available on Steam.
The game follows the story of Victor and Alexandra, an old acquaintance he has long since forgotten. Their fates are inextricably linked as they wake up in unfamiliar environments, trapped within confined spaces and eerie circumstances. Their goal is not just to find an exit, but to uncover the truth behind these dual worlds, track down the mastermind behind the events, and confront the mystery of a cryptic entity.
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A Narrative Driven by Choice
One of the game’s highlights is its multi-ending system. Every choice you make influences the story’s trajectory—leading either toward redemption or a slide into destruction. This significantly boosts replay value, encouraging players to explore vastly different narrative paths.
Immersive Horror Experience
Chiasmus utilizes a delicate hand-drawn 2D art style to depict two starkly different worlds: a “realistic” apartment that seems calm yet hides anomalies, and a terrifying dimension where space is distorted and rules collapse. By traversing between the two, players perceive subtle inconsistencies and escalating aberrations that slowly drag them into the chaotic mental abyss of the protagonist.
Demo Impressions
The environmental design is outstanding. The contrast between the hand-drawn reality and the mirror world is striking and rich in detail, effectively sparking curiosity about what lies ahead.
The puzzles are centered around fixed scenes, requiring you to hunt for key items to progress. There is a genuine level of challenge here; the clues are interconnected like links in a chain—you must find the specific “key link” to delve deeper into the exploration.
While the plot is compelling, the dialogue is currently text-only and requires manual clicks to advance (I’m hoping for a shortcut key in the future). When the dialogue gets heavy, it can test one’s patience a bit. Overall, I’m eager to see where the story goes and what other eerie worlds await in the full release.
Demo Walkthrough
While there is a video guide at the start of this post, here is a written breakdown of the key item locations and puzzle solutions.
Scene 1: The Apartment
- The Box: Find a Key in the flowerpot on the windowsill. Use it to open the drawer, revealing a locked puzzle box.
- The Code: Observe the symbols on the bookshelf. The correct order to unlock the box is: ♣ (Clubs), ♥ (Hearts), ♠ (Spades), ♦ (Diamonds).
- The Batteries: Opening the box rewards you with one Battery. Two more batteries are located inside the drawer.
- The Clock: Put the batteries into the remote control to turn on the TV, which displays the time 23:55. Remove the batteries from the remote, place all three into the digital alarm clock by the bed, and set it to 23:55.
- Escape: This opens a drawer under the bed containing a Crowbar. Use the crowbar to pry up the floorboards to find a Screwdriver. Use the screwdriver to remove the Knife from the wall. You can now rescue the female lead and trigger the cutscene.
Scene 2: The Twisted Dimension
This area is more complex. You need to meticulously search for Scrap Paper and Rabbit Dolls.
- Note: The most common place to get stuck is finding the last rabbit—you must open the Journal to trigger it; it will then appear directly in your inventory.
- The Alchemist’s List: Feed the rabbits to the bear on the floor to get a Key. Use the key to open the journal on the windowsill. Arrange the paper scraps to reveal the Alchemy List.
- The Sequence: The required order is: Blue reagent, yellow solution, human tooth, lizard’s eye, pig’s ear, umbilical cord, cat’s blood.
- Cooking: Find the matches, container, and bowl. Use the alcohol lamp to prepare “food” for the toy sister.
- The Exit: The doll on the sofa will give you a Lockpick. Use it to open the locked cabinet to get Oil. Combine the oil with the Chainsaw and cut through the branches blocking the door to complete the demo.
Note: This article is based on the DEMO version; the final release may vary.
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