Finding Strength in Silence: The Power of Lethal Quiet

When you think of Transylvania, the first creature that may come to mind is likely a vampire like Count Dracula. Or maybe a werewolf. However, in the upcoming cooperative asymmetrical horror game Lethal Quiet, we’re not entirely sure what to make of the beings residing in Transylvania’s Hoia Baciu forest. As showcased in the game’s initial trailer below, these creatures have humanoid forms and animal-like heads—complete with antlers. They also carry multiple human skulls, giving a haunting hint at what your character’s fate could be if you fail to escape.

Although Lethal Quiet is a first-person game, players do not seem to view the action through their characters’ eyes. Instead, the gameplay is experienced via a bodycam, which may explain why the visuals appear so intentionally gritty. This approach offers certain advantages, including the ability to identify the outlines of the three other players in a co-op setting, even in complete darkness. The drawback, however, is that the camera’s clarity is less than your own vision, and it seems these creatures can approach quietly in the shadows if you’re not incredibly vigilant.

Similar to last year’s A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead, sound is your adversary in Lethal Quiet. Whatever these beings are, their sense of hearing is remarkably sharp. If you tread on a brittle twig, they will detect you. Even speaking through your microphone with teammates can potentially reveal your location.

Galactic Crows—the studio behind Lethal Quiet—has also revealed some essential details about the game’s storyline. Players will take control of a group of friends who have clearly made a perilous decision by choosing to camp in the Hoia Baciu forest. Due to some truly unfortunate luck, the vehicle that brought this group to the woods is wrecked, leaving the friends to navigate a treacherous trek to a nearby town in near total silence in order to evade the creatures inhabiting the area.