First teased at IGN Fan Fest 2025, a brand-new trailer for the retro-aesthetic survival horror game Heartworm confirms a release date of July 31, exciting fans of old-school Resident Evil and Silent Hill titles. Heartworm follows a rather recent trend of combining PS1-style graphics with the nostalgic gameplay elements of decades-old classics to bring a familiar yet refreshing dose of horror and is set to launch for PC via Steam.
The initial announcement trailer for Heartworm caught the eye of survival horror fans for its retro visuals and unique blend of gameplay elements from staples of the gaming genre. With a confirmed launch of July 31 on the horizon, audiences have been given another preview of what to expect in this old-school-inspired new entry for horror fans.
New Survival-Horror Game is a Throwback to the Classics
An upcoming survival horror video game pays tribute to retro classics of the genre, bringing old-school horror gaming to modern fans.
Developed by Vincent Adinolfi and published by DreadXP, Heartworm sees players taking on the role of protagonist Sam, as she seeks a way to reconnect with her recently deceased grandfather. Players will guide Sam through a supernatural house in the mountains where she must battle grief and loss while also fending off horrifying creatures with the use of her trusty camera. Hailed by Adinolfi as a "love letter" to genre staples of the 90s, Heartworm implements old-school scare tactics like fixed camera angles, along with challenging inventory management and the intrigue of multiple endings, to satisfy the nostalgic itch felt by many diehard fans of older survival horror games. Audiences can check out Heartworm when it launches exclusively for Steam on July 31.
Survival Horror's Future Remains Closely Tied to the Past
A surprising number of new survival horror releases have taken inspiration from games like Resident Evil, Fatal Frame, Haunting Ground, Silent Hill, and cult classics from the 90s. While recent AAA titles have focused on revamping older launches with improved graphics and smoother gameplay, many indie horror games have found success with older esthetics and retro controls. Some may view this trend as being spurred on purely by nostalgia, but others mark it as a testament to the impact and longevity of some of the most iconic games in survival horror history.
Fans of survival horror video games continue to celebrate the diversity of new titles within the genre, ranging from the highly-anticipated launches of Silent Hill f in September 2025 and Resident Evil Requiem in February 2026 to the rapidly approaching release of Heartworm on July 31. Interested players can follow along for more news on games like Heartworm and other indie hits bringing old-school vibes to modern horror.
