I’ll admit it: when I hear “co-op extraction horror” from a three-person indie team out of Australia, my curiosity level spikes. Macabre, the debut from WeForge Studio, just landed its first public demo for Steam Next Fest-and after years of seeing extraction shooters drown in sameness or get lost in early access limbo, I’m more than ready for someone to shake up the formula. The new trailer and Banjo’s Trial demo promise dynamic, unpredictable horror wrapped in a stealthy, betrayal-prone PvE loop. Here’s what makes Macabre an early standout-and why I think it deserves a closer look from extraction and horror fans alike.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Publisher | WeForge Studio |
| Release Date | Late 2025 (Early Access) |
| Genres | Co-op, Stealth, Extraction, Horror |
| Platforms | PC (Steam) |
Let’s get real: Most extraction horror games fall into two camps—either they’re all about twitchy gunplay with a horror coat of paint, or they’re PvP meat grinders with little actual tension. Macabre seems to reject both, focusing instead on stealth, team dynamics, and a genuinely reactive game world. According to WeForge, everything from objectives to weather to enemy AI shifts between runs, so you’re never running the same gauntlet twice. The Crawler, your main adversary, doesn’t just chase you in a straight line; it adapts to your behavior, pushing you (and your squad) to change tactics on the fly.
This caught my attention because it taps into what’s been missing in the genre: actual unpredictability and horror-rooted decision-making. Forget memorizing loot spawns or camping extraction points—Macabre wants you second-guessing your friends and the game itself. The “betrayal-prone” co-op is especially intriguing. Extraction games like Escape from Tarkov or Hunt: Showdown have shown how tense player interaction can be, but Macabre’s twist is keeping it PvE while still making you question who you can trust. That’s a psychological edge I wish more horror games explored.
The Banjo’s Trial demo isn’t just a vertical slice either—it’s a showcase for Macabre’s core loop. You get dropped into the Rift, scavenging for tools and intel, with weather shifting from fog to storms and the map reorganizing itself every run. This procedural approach is ambitious, especially for a studio with only three full-time devs. Yet, over 217,000 wishlists on Steam proves the concept has already grabbed plenty of attention. For context, most indie horror games never crack 50k before launch, so the buzz is real.
Of course, I’m skeptical about a few things. Procedural generation is notoriously hard to get right—if every run is “different,” is it also meaningful, or just chaotic? Adaptive AI can be a buzzword; does the Crawler’s learning genuinely create new challenges, or is it just tweaking numbers? And the early access window (late 2025) means a lot could change before release. But the fact WeForge is putting this demo in the wild for real player feedback is a promising move—especially since so many extraction games hide behind closed alphas or endless NDA cycles.
If you’re burned out on samey extraction shooters or bored of horror games that lose their bite after a few runs, Macabre could be a breath of fresh, terrifying air. The procedural generation and adaptive horror loop suggest real replayability, not just marketing fluff. The co-op focus—with space for both teamwork and tension—makes it ideal for friend groups who love the thrill of betrayal but prefer a PvE environment. And honestly, seeing an Aussie indie team swing this big in the genre is something the scene needs.
There’s a real chance Macabre could carve out a new niche if it sticks the landing on its ambitious systems—and isn’t afraid to listen to player feedback. Extraction and horror are both genres that desperately need innovation, so I’ll be keeping a close eye on how this one evolves as the demo feedback rolls in.
Macabre’s Steam Next Fest demo is one of the most genuinely intriguing pitches in the co-op horror space right now. If procedural maps, adaptive enemies, and replayable PvE tension are your jam, this is worth your time—just be ready for the usual early-access caveats and some rough edges. Still, I’d rather see a bold indie experiment than another generic loot-and-shoot. Add it to your wishlist, and keep your eye out for how community feedback shapes its future.
Source: WeForge Studio via GamesPress