Survival horror game Trenches hitting Switch next week

Publisher Ratalaika Games and developer Steelkrill Studio have announced that they’re putting Trenches on Switch next week. The title is due out on January 20, 2023.

Trenches is a survival horror game set during World War I that has players surviving and escaping the harsh war-torn environment of the year 1917. Further information is included in the following overview:

The word Trenches alone conjures up many negative views and the experience that is presented is one the development team has delved into in as much detail as possible to create the barren, isolating world of war and your one focus is on surviving!

Inspiration has come from reading about historic incidents, watching many documentaries, and a fascination for WW1, however, the development team pointed towards the awesome movie 1917 as a big determining factor. There is no getting away from the fact that “WW1 is often forgotten as to how brutal it was”, was a stand out comment.

Trenches begins when the soldier you play wakes up from a blast and sees everything in ruins. He reaches into his pocket and finds the picture of his family. He knows that he must try to survive if he ever wants to see them again. From there, your objective will be to escape the claustrophobic environment and experience the war from the eyes of a soldier caught behind enemy lines, in this surreal nightmare, as you fight for your life (and sanity) to get back home to your family.

The only way to escape is by finding clues and objectives scattered around the Trench map which will be like a maze. These objectives will be randomized on each play-through so all will be different. The player needs to be focused as a monster will be following him and will be roaming around the Trenches. The player can use a “trench whistle” which, when used, players can hear a crying sound and they need to follow the crying sound to find the next clue. However, the catch is the monster can also hear the trench whistle and comes running at you.

Enemies will also be able to hear if you walk on wood as it will make creaking noises or if you break any bottles. Alongside that, there will be other things that can aid you in the game such as Wire Cutters, Gun, Map, etc. which can help.. if you find them.

Key Features

• Randomized actions and scares
• Every changing setting, puzzles and challenges.
• Freedom to explore
• Lots of objectives to find
• Two game modes
• Surprises galore…

Steelkrill Studio said of the game: “We wanted to make players feel like they really were stuck in the Trenches and to feel helpless and lost at all times. The gritty atmosphere helped, but also sounds and environment plays a big part too. We focused a lot on creating the right environment and since the game takes place only in the trenches, we could focus on those little extra details when it comes to the graphics.”

Have a look at a trailer for the game below.

Trenches will be sold digitally for Switch via the eShop. Pricing is set at $9.99 / €9.41.