Heartworm
A downloadable game for Windows and macOS
10/2024 - UPDATED NEW DEMO
AVAILABLE NOW ONLY ON STEAM: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1257030/Heartworm/
(I am leaving the old demos here for archival purposes but if you are interested in the game *please* play the newest version on Steam!!)
Synopsis:
Sam, fueled by her obsession with the deaths of those close to her, researches ways to contact the dead. She stumbles down a dark internet path, finding a message board with users discussing a house in the mountains that supposedly has some connection to the afterlife. However, no one who has visited the house has ever returned. Left with seemingly no other option as her obsession consumes her, Sam seeks out the house to find out for herself - no matter the consequence.
Heartworm is a game about the memories we keep and the ones we wish we could forget. It marries cinematic fixed camera survival-horror with low-rez, retro 3d graphics, a surreal suburban setting, and a chilling original soundtrack. These features combine with an emotional and psychologically-focused narrative to compose a nostalgia-charged love letter to late 90s genre progenitors Silent Hill, Resident Evil, and Dino Crisis.
Controls:
(Most controllers fully supported)
W | Move Forward |
S | Move Backward |
A | Turn Left |
D | Turn Right |
L/Enter | Interact/Use |
Left Shift | Run (Hold) |
Tab | Inventory/Status |
Escape | Pause/Controls |
Status | In development |
Platforms | Windows, macOS |
Rating | Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars (73 total ratings) |
Author | vincent adinolfi |
Genre | Adventure, Puzzle |
Made with | Adobe Photoshop, Unity, Renoise, 3ds Max |
Tags | Atmospheric, Gothic, Horror, Psychological Horror, Retro, Singleplayer, Surreal, Survival Horror, Third Person |
Average session | About a half-hour |
Languages | English |
Inputs | Keyboard, Mouse, Gamepad (any) |
Accessibility | Subtitles |
Links | Steam, Steam, Twitter/X, Homepage |
Download
Click download now to get access to the following files:
Development log
- New demo out now! (on Steam only)33 days ago
- Updates / Misfortune / Kickstarter coming soonOct 25, 2023
- Final Demo Update! (4.1)Nov 29, 2022
- NEW DEMO AVAILABLE NOWOct 26, 2022
- Demo update still coming, Steam page live, and t-shirts available for a limited...Jul 03, 2020
- Demo update coming soon!Mar 30, 2020
Comments
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I had already played the 2022 demo and found it promising,
now with this Steam demo I have to say
EXCELLENT GAME!!
ps: Looking forward to the full version :)
Incredible.
I wrote a full review of the new steam demo on my blog: https://horrorathon.blogspot.com/2024/10/heartworm-demo-by-vincent-adinolfi-day....
I like the music and ambience too and the story is interesting.
GRACIAS por la demo es un juego muy entretenido y con su grado de dificultad estaria excelente estuviera doblado al español yo hice mi esfuerzo por mi cuenta de hacer el doblaje.
This was so good (even though I died before actually reaching the end of the demo but I swear I'm going to play it again), the atmosphere in the manor is so unsettling and I absolutely love it. I totally forgot to save though before entering the attic and that ended up totally screwing me over haha. Still, can't wait to actually finish the demo next time and I hope this has a full release.
Super cool demo, really nicely crafted locations and great use of light and shadow. Candlelit balusters are terrifying!
Sorry to hear about the publisher, I have saved the Kickstarter link and am sure most folk who stumble by here will be interested in seeing more from this project.
Best wishes for you and the team.
Any chance of the v4.1.0 demo being released for Mac? I love coming back to this game late at night and it would be awesome to be able to save.
I'm really sorry - we have gotten so far past this demo in development it will not be getting any more updates
incredible, is this still being developed into a full game???
hey! thank you - yes it is, release planned 2024 on all platforms
Such an Amazing Nostalgic Horror Adventure !!
Might be late again for this :)
Amazing idea and style
Really looking forward to this game! It looks super cool! :)
A very interesting and different worldview. And there are various elements, it is a work that can be enjoyed
Hey, just finished playing the demo, which I beat in 40 minutes. I really loved the original soundtrack and sound design, especially those creepy sounds the static silhouettes make. I found it interesting how you managed to make them scary without the need of making them violent or grotesque. I also love the lack of guidance and how attentive you have to be to manage your way around. What I didn't like, is the cutscene after the first chase. I felt like the creature's animations weren't intimidating enough, but maybe there's a reasoning behind this. Overall, it was an interesting experience and didn't take long until I got caught up!
The game is really interesting ~
i wanna know what comes next! if this game is fully release i wanna play the full!
Hi! Loved the demo and tossed some cash your way for development. Here's a few bugs and things I found (I was playing with a Switch Pro Controller):
You're able to start 'walking' before the loading screen is over. This doesn't move the character, but it does make humourous footstep sounds.
During the second section in the town, the FILE/MAP/EXIT buttons didn't light up properly.
Other people already said it but where to save in the second area is a bit confusing.
On the title screen I had to press Enter on the keyboard to start a new game. None of my controller's face buttons worked (although I could arrow up and down fine).
Looking forward to the next update!
Hey vincent, I really like your game concept, will you be bringing Heartworm to Mobile Platforms in the Future?
I really liked this, can't wait for the full game! Keep the good work.
Here is my gameplay.
its not a bad game but you should add a save feature because when i got to the part where i was chased by the glitchy guy i died and it took me all the way back to the start
Sorry, I see Fatal Frame, Silent Hill and Resident Evil (aka big three of japanese horrors) inspired things and references, but can't find anything which reminded me of Dino Crisis for now, sorry? Could somebody tell me how wrong I am?
now this feels like it coulda came out in 1999, amazing! I suck tho
Demo Gameplay No Commentary
Hey! I started the game with my flatmate and the story is so engaging we were loving it but not having a "Save" button in the demo is really discouraging, as you need to start the game from the scratch.
Is it possible to add a way to start where you left it or are we doing something wrong? :) Really really good job! Thank you.
Made another video
it reminds me a little of resident evil
Made a video
Just played the new demo on Steam. Incredible work!
is this still being developed ?
yes - you can see updates on twitter - https://twitter.com/adinolfi
so um. a funny story: I stuck here because she was pushing this closet only forward (going behind the closet did nothing), and so, uh, I must have blocked the way? leaving the location > going back didn't help.
Hey! So sorry you got stuck, this demo is old and has some poor design choices - but this spot is actually okay to block off, the real exit is on the other side of the room, there's another shelf you can push to get through
I've been following you on Twitter for a while, but I've only just played this alpha demo of Heartworm - and I have to say, stellar job dude. It builds atmosphere, and the composition of the shots with the locked off camera was great. I saw the figure in the window, the book as soon as I entered the garage, the "Do You Remember?" signage with the thunder clap - you funneled the player right through all the important key visuals and plot/character points really well. The text is well written and not too overdone, and I was able to form my own idea of what the basement full of VHS tapes really represented - I felt invested in the main character and am excited to see what's to come. :D
This is awesome, flawless execution. Keep up the amazing work :)
This game has potential. I can't wait to see what sort of enemies appear in the final version.
💀HEARTWORM 💀 | SILENT HILL STYLE| | Survival Horror|-🎮Indie Game📺 (Español Argento)
This was VERY interesting! I can't wait for more!
I loved the experience! Your game definitely gives me Resident Evil and Silent Hill vibes. I really enjoyed the puzzles and can't wait for the final game. :)
Of all the fixed camera PSX style games I've played so far this one I think nails it the most. The gameplay and visuals are top notch, the story is intriguing and honestly I can't wait for more! My only complaint really was that the ending monologue was a little difficult to understand.