Upcoming Steam game Hark the Ghoul is the first commercial release from developer Deep Denizens, and early signs from the footage so far indicate it's going to have some serious Zelda: Majora's Mask vibes. According to Steam, Hark the Ghoul's actual inspirations lie elsewhere, but it's hard to shake the comparisons to the darkest Legend of Zelda game.
When it comes to finding hidden gems from talented developers, Steam is arguably second to no other gaming platform. Not every indie game is a 10/10 diamond in the rough, but every now and then, a game appears on Steam that has undeniable potential. All the early signs point to Hark the Ghoul being one of those Steam hidden gems.
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Hark the Ghoul is Giving Off Zelda: Majora's Mask Vibes
Hark the Ghoul's Steam page teases the 2026 title with the promise of a meticulously handcrafted world to explore in which players can "slash, hack and magick your way through an adventure brimming with secrets and curious encounters." A dungeon crawler "where behind every corner lies a discovery," and where players can "face terrifying monsters, challenge awe-inspiring foes and meet curious characters."
Its demo page reveals inspiration from games like Dark Souls and Hollow Knight, although there's something about the "retro-modern low-poly" graphics style and overtly dark themes that evoke feelings of Zelda: Majora's Mask. This Zelda title tackles notably dark topics like grief, loss, and the feeling of impending doom in its main narrative, and while Hark the Ghoul may be more of a gameplay-over-narrative-type title, there are certainly comparisons to be drawn between the two. But despite the resemblance and inspiration to other games, Hark the Ghoul is actually played from a first-person perspective, and looks to offer a totally unique experience.
Those interested in Hark the Ghoul can check out its Steam demo, which was released back in October 2024. The demo currently has "Very Positive" reviews from players, described as "a 2h long experience that gives you a taste of the game's first areas, friends, foes and gameplay systems." Players can expect to see Hark the Ghoul at some point in 2026, with no concrete release date announced at this point.
