As Darkest Dungeon taught us, the appeal of investigating a sinister mansion infested with Lovecraftian whispers is undeniably tantalizing. I'm therefore compelled to uncover The Horror at Highrook, a new strategy RPG that embraces the card-based management seen in the likes of Cultist Simulator and recent Steam hit Sultan's Game. If 2025 hit Blue Prince has left you with a taste for exploring unusual houses and combining their contents, this new card game is a perfect addition to your wishlist.
As a team of occult investigators studying the mysterious disappearance of a noble family, you'll step into the eponymous house, a crumbling manor sitting above the port of Blacksands where a web of secrets awaits. strategy game that revolves around resource management and a rich crafting system.
Your actions around Highrook are handled by placing cards into the various rooms across the house. Every area is tied to a certain skill – the Machine Room requires skill with devices, for example, while the Archives handle memories, and the Guest Rooms deal in dreams. You'll need to assign your teams to tasks, providing them with the necessary equipment for their goals, in order to earn supplies that can then be used elsewhere.
Have someone dig with a trowel in the Courtyard, for example, and they might uncover some plants that can then be taken to the Laboratory and brewed into helpful tonics and potions. You'll need to ensure that your combined workers and resources reach the required stat thresholds to successfully get the job done. The further you progress through the game's eight chapters, the more parts of the house will be made available to you, opening up even more potential options.
So far, so simple; but, as with anything branching into cosmic horror, it won't stay that way for long. You'll quickly need to assemble relics and learn rites capable of summoning, entrapping, or banishing the eldritch horrors that begin to approach, while also withstanding all manner of unnatural earthquakes and abhorrent incursions. Along with the central mystery of the lost Ackron Family, you'll uncover plenty more lore about the mansion's dark past.
"The Horror at Highrook is an unusual game with some unique mechanics," Nullpointer says. "There is a lot of text in the game and no voice acting (I couldn't afford it) and that might put some people off, I understand. However, if you enjoy evocative writing, unpacking mysteries, and are willing to experiment with a different type of game, then I think you will enjoy the journey." So far, at least, it's proving a winner – while it's only received a small number of Steam reviews so far, an impressive 87% of them recommend the game.
The Horror At Highrook is out now on Steam, with a 10% introductory discount meaning you'll pay $17.99 / £13.94 until Thursday May 15, or $19.99 / £15.49 afterwards. You can a free demo if you want to try a sample first.
You can also flick through more of the best horror games on PC right now.
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