ONTOS: This Horrifying, Tantalizing Thriller Feels Like An Immersive Sim For Puzzle Gaming

The upcoming sci-fi thriller ONTOS, published by Kepler Interactive, is set to arrive in 2027 for Xbox Series X|S and PC. Players will also be able to access the game on both platforms at no extra cost through the Xbox Play Anywhere program. A hands-on preview of the game's initial demo, which was recently showcased to press and content creators at gamescom 2026, reveals a highly tactile, systems-driven experience that blends philosophical inquiry with open-ended puzzle-solving.

The narrative of ONTOS centers on Aditi Amani, who travels to a seemingly abandoned moon resort-turned-science lab named Samsara. Aditi is drawn to this location by the cryptic legacy of her estranged father, a brilliant mind who has transitioned into a prophet-like figure. Samsara itself is a vast, interconnected labyrinth constructed over the ruins of a failed mining colony and a luxury hotel. The setting is divided among various philosophical factions where science and faith intersect, featuring surreal environments such as laboratories built inside lavish casinos, theater stages, emptied swimming pools, and ancient moon caves.

The gamescom 2026 demo highlights the game's non-linear approach to puzzle-solving, focusing on a single scenario where Aditi must retrieve a key from a scientist named Crombie. The task is complicated by the fact that Crombie has copied his consciousness into a server rack powered by rats, leaving his physical body incapacitated. The key hangs around his neck, trapped beneath a complex web of wires and probes connected directly to his brain. Rather than forcing players toward a single predetermined solution, the game encourages experimentation and reacts seamlessly to different player choices.

During the demo, multiple paths can be taken to resolve Crombie's situation. Players can choose to shut down the rat server to revive Crombie's physical form, or they can choose to overwrite his original mind with the digital copy of his consciousness. Alternatively, players can cut the server power without taking protective measures, which accidentally kills both the physical body and the digital mind, allowing Aditi to simply take the key from his corpse. The game offers very little overt direction, leaving players to weigh the moral consequences of their actions, especially since even well-intentioned choices can lead to devastating outcomes.

Unlike traditional survival-horror games such as SOMA, which serves as a spiritual predecessor in its exploration of existential questions, ONTOS does not appear to feature stalking threats or stealth mechanics. Instead, the gameplay focuses on exploration, resource management, and physical interaction with the environment. For example, players must manage limited resources, such as finding oxygen canisters to fuel a blowtorch needed to cut server wires. Running out of necessary supplies forces players to improvise and seek alternative solutions to the puzzles they encounter.

The environment of Samsara is designed to be highly tactile and interactive. Players must manually unlatch and heave open heavy doors, physically pull drawers open, and pick up and inspect almost any object in the rooms. This level of detail encourages thorough exploration, as scattered terminals, audio logs, locked cabinets, and test machinery provide critical clues and lore about the wider story. The developers have designed the puzzles with numerous nuances and variations, meaning different approaches can unlock unique voice lines and reactions from the world, promising high replayability when the full game launches in 2027.