Killer Inn Closed Beta: 24-Player Gothic Whodunit

I’ll be honest—the words “Square Enix” and “murder mystery action multiplayer” don’t usually land in the same sentence. But when today’s announcement dropped that Killer Inn is launching a closed beta, my curiosity shot through the roof. Imagine a 24-player cat-and-mouse showdown inside a brooding, gothic castle, where deception, detective work, and classic whodunit theatrics collide. Sign me up.

Closed Beta Details

• Dates: July 25, 2025, 3:00 p.m. PT / 6:00 p.m. ET – July 28, 2025, 2:59 p.m. PT / 5:59 p.m. ET
• Sign-ups: Open now on Steam
• Platform: PC (Steam)
• Developer/Publisher: Square Enix & Tactic Studios
• Player Count: Up to 24 per match

This closed beta is your first chance to sneak through candlelit hallways, plant false evidence, and whisper accusations across a crowded lobby. Since slots are limited, you’ll want to register early and keep an eye on your Steam inbox for that golden beta key.

Gameplay Mechanics: Wolves vs. Lambs

At its heart, Killer Inn fuses social deduction with stealth-action. Each round, players are randomly cast as “Wolves” (the killers) or “Lambs” (the survivors). Wolves must quietly eliminate Lambs one by one, all while blending in with innocent guests. Lambs, on the other hand, scramble to gather scraps of proof—hair strands caught on curtain rods, fingerprints on silverware, torn pieces of clothing—and either unmask the killers or make a break for freedom.

If you’ve lost sleep over Among Us debates, braved the blizzards of Project Winter, or sprinted in terror through Dead by Daylight, you’ll feel right at home. Except here, the lobby size triples, promising faction-wide alliances, back-stabbing betrayals, and moments of pure chaos. The big question: will the UI and clue-tracking tools keep up when everyone’s shouting “Not it!” at once?

System Requirements & Accessibility

It’s no secret Killer Inn aims for cinematic flair, and that comes at a price. Square Enix recommends an NVIDIA RTX 2060 Super paired with 16 GB of RAM to hit smooth frame rates. The minimum spec sits at a GTX 1060 and 16 GB. Expect detailed character models, dynamic lighting, and atmospheric audio to push your rig. On the plus side, the beta will test performance optimizations and network stability—your feedback could help dial settings for lower-end PCs before launch.

Developer Track Record & Potential

When Square Enix ventures outside its JRPG comfort zone, the results have been…mixed. Titles like Babylon’s Fall and Left Alive shone with ambition but stumbled at launch. Yet Japanese studios also have a knack for reinventing Western ideas: Danganronpa reimagined murder mysteries with surreal flair, Ghost Trick warped time in clever ways, and Ace Attorney turned courtroom duels into a global phenomenon.

If Killer Inn harnesses that same inventive spark—real tension, those glorious “aha” puzzle moments, and the occasional hilariously baseless accusation—it could redefine big-budget social deduction. But without genuine passion beneath the glossy veneer, this might end up another ambitious yet hollow experiment.

Tips for Beta Pros and Newcomers

• Form a squad: Recruit friends to join the same matches and test coordinated strategies.
• Hone your poker face: Voice chat is optional, but your body language in lobby screens can give you away.
• Study the environment: Memorize hiding spots, trap locations, and clue hot zones.
• Report bugs early: This beta is about refining gameplay—your feedback on balance, UI quirks, and matchmaking matters.
• Watch early streams: Official broadcasts might reveal hidden mechanics or optimal tactics.

TL;DR

Killer Inn is Square Enix’s big-budget dive into social deduction: 24 players stalk or survive in a gothic castle full of secrets. Closed beta runs July 25–28 on Steam. Expect rough edges, steep specs, and laughter-and-panic-filled matches. Genre fans, sign up now—but don’t expect perfection on day one.