Some of the biggest horror games in recent years have come from indie studios and publishers. Last year, we saw the release of Mouthwashing from Wrong Organ, which was praised for its narrative and unique visual style. As we head further into 2025, I’ve been on the hunt for the next major indie horror hit, and I think I’ve found it: Static Dread: 15 Nights at the Old Lighthouse.
Developer solarsuit.games have crafted a game that I already want more of. During my two hours with the game, I came away very impressed with the unique visual style and eerie atmosphere. If you’re looking for a new game to check out during Steam Next Fest, Static Dread: 15 Nights at the Old Lighthouse should be at the top of your list.
Static Dread takes place at an ancient lighthouse that’s been recently restored. This place is said to inhabit darkness, with rumors surrounding the previous keepers and their demise. Naturally, you’re selected to be the next keeper – how fun! As you look at your surroundings, it begins to be clear that while this might seem like an ordinary lighthouse, it is everything but that. A strange village sits beneath the lighthouse, with the villagers strangely active at night. The sky turns a mysterious, eerie green. And let’s not forget the very strange cast of characters that tend to bang on your door when you least expect it.
Static Dread takes place across fifteen days, and you have numerous tasks to keep you at bay. As the keeper of the lighthouse, it’s up to you to track the incoming ships and guide them to their respective ports. Each day, you’ll start with the ability to walk around the bottom of the lighthouse and buy items from the villagers, check your equipment, and read over the instructions from the Chief.
Your key tool to get you through the night is the radio, which is used to communicate with the incoming ships. To begin your journey into the night, you’ll need to turn on the lighthouse, sending the sky into a green haze. This is where Static Dread begins to dial up the pressure. You can interact with the radio to see if there are any incoming ships. If a captain responds, he’ll send over the sheet so you can chart their route.
I found this to be incredibly unique and interesting, as I was the one deciding how to chart the cargo ships to port safely. While it might seem easy, as you need to just avoid the islands, there are strange occurrences you will need to keep in mind. Ships keep finding strange, monster-like creatures in the sea. Any damage or wrecked ships are your fault, and you must do your best to avoid any.
As the night progresses, things might start to go wrong in the lighthouse. The lighthouse itself might turn off, the radio antenna might flip, or the gears might prevent the light from turning. These occurrences are determinantal to not only your job but your safety. You see, a strange darkness envelops the lighthouse. It’s said early on that the first keeper faced a gruesome fate, and the only way to find out what happened is by collecting three journals to find out the whole story.
Not only that but there’s the village. We’ve established that this eerie location is strangely active at night, but the villagers are more than nocturnal. This group of people prays to the sea god and looks to raise the dead through rituals. Each time something in the lighthouse breaks, you have to run and quickly fix it as fast as you can before the darkness of the lighthouse catches you. I found these sequences to be filled with adrenaline, and there are dozens of suspenseful moments even in this short demo.
Overall, I seriously was blown away by the demo I had the chance to check out, and I believe we’ve got a special game on our hands if the full release lives up to this. The narrative has me hooked, and I cannot wait to see just what awaits in the fifteen days the keeper must spend at the lighthouse. Static Dread: 15 Nights at the Old Lighthouse is set to release on PC via Steam later this year.
