Fans of Robert Eggers’ The Lighthouse (and those who enjoyed the Hidden Fields’ Mundaun) will have to check out Morteshka’s One-Eyed Likho. Based on a dark Slavic fairy tale and set in 19th-century Russia, the first-person horror adventure also echoes the stylings of Eggers’ folk horror film.
The game is inspired by the eponymous Slavic fairy tale “The One-eyed Likho”, which is an embodiment of evil fate and misfortune in Slavic mythology. A creature with one eye, the creature is often depicted as an old, skinny woman in black. The story for One-Eyed Likho involves you trying to find Likho within a haunted realm that takes inspiration from 19th-century Russia, and escape your own evil fate. It’s all purposely presented in greyscale, with an immersive 4:3 aspect ratio “that adds depth to your adventure” (again, a nod to The Lighthouse).
Along with story-focused exploration, the game features a burning mechanic, where you must solve fire-based puzzles and light your way with matches.
Currently, One-Eyed Likho is slated for a 2024 release on Steam. There will also a demo available during Steam’s Scream Fest, from October 26 to November 2.