There is something so intrinsically special about indie horror compared to AAA horror. As much as I like both, I feel like horror games created by indie developers are more likely to take major risks and try something new, rather than just trying to repeat the same formula over and over again. One such game that seemed to be taking advantage of this preconception is Name of the Will from Hyper Real. During Gamescom 2026, I was invited to check out the game in a short demo. Even after around 20 minutes of playtime, I am already so interested to see where the story goes next.
Name of the Will focuses on a cult-like civilization within a mysterious area known simply as HOPE. The demo starts with the protagonist in a classroom being quizzed on what it means to be a member of this society. One such question asks about how one should respond when a friend is feeling pain. While most of the options are about expressing empathy towards their plight, the correct answer is that you should actually feel joy about their situation. If you repeatedly get the wrong answers, you instantly get a game over. This opening scenario perfectly highlights the tone of this narrative.
When I first heard about Name of the Will, I figured it would be a fixed-perspective survival horror game like Signalis, or a first-person story game like Mouthwashing. Instead, it actually turned out to be a point-and-click adventure game. Right after the mysterious opening where the protagonist gets a vision that hints towards this world’s darker nature, you are set free to explore the apartment complex and get to your next destination. You have to manually click on objects to walk towards it, and there are even puzzles that require you to observe your surroundings.
One such puzzle actually happens towards the end of the demo. You have to find three symbols on the 7th floor, which will open up a padlocked door. Some of these symbols are found in obvious places, like a drawer filled with strange disembodied eyes. Others have to be carefully sleuthed out, such as one connected to a book that keeps vanishing. Right before the book vanishes, it has a specific subject on its cover that you have to remember, as it corresponds to the bookshelf where you can find the next clue. The first few puzzles of Name of the Will offer just the right amount of fun and challenge, and I am curious to see how the difficulty may escalate in the full game.
Something I especially loved about Name of the Will was its visuals. There is something deeply uncanny about it, partly due to the hand-drawn look, but also due to the masks that a majority of the characters wear. Some of their sprites distort in odd ways during dialogue, to such an extent that it reminded me of the creepy designs from OFF. It is a really intriguing look for this kind of game, and I am very curious to see how those horror visuals become even more unnerving in the full release.
In general, there is a lot about Name of the Will that I am very curious about: who is Elaine, the mysterious woman who seems to have a connection to the protagonist? What is the real truth and goal behind this creepy cult? And just what is going on with all of those masks? Needless to say, thanks to the demo’s fascinating tone and the great mix of the point-and-click genre, I am very eager to see how these questions are answered when the game launches on PC via Steam in early 2027.
