After losing his daughter, a broken detective clings to the sound of her voice — until an accident pulls him into a twisted nightmare. Trapped in haunting echoes of her past, he must solve puzzles and uncover chilling clues to stop a deranged man from sacrificing his child... to bring back his own.
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Release Date:
May 22, 2025
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Early Access Game

Get instant access and start playing; get involved with this game as it develops.

Note: Games in Early Access are not complete and may or may not change further. If you are not excited to play this game in its current state, then you should wait to see if the game progresses further in development. Learn more

What the developers have to say:

Why Early Access?

“Hello everyone! I’m developing ALWAYS entirely on my own. This is a deeply personal horror project, and I’m pouring everything I have into making it an intense and memorable experience. The Early Access version is fully playable and includes core gameplay systems, but I want to involve you in shaping its future. Your feedback will be invaluable in improving the experience and helping me optimize the game across various hardware setups. I believe your input can truly elevate what ALWAYS is meant to become.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“Development is a journey filled with constant reflection. There are moments when I feel I can push further to create something more powerful, more terrifying, and more emotionally impactful. That drive will continue until I feel the game is truly complete. Based on my current roadmap, I plan to release the full version by the end of this year or beggening of next year.”

How is the full version planned to differ from the Early Access version?

“Even in its current state, ALWAYS already shows its potential—but there's more I want to do to make it unforgettable. Here’s what I plan to add before full release:

More Scares: The game’s structure allows for layered, unpredictable scares. I’m working to add new moments that intensify the psychological tension.

Better Optimization: I will continue optimizing the game based on feedback and test results across various systems, all while keeping the visuals strong.

New Areas: I want players to feel the thrill of exploration. More unique, story-rich environments are planned.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“The Early Access version of ALWAYS offers a fully playable and content-rich horror experience. It features the majority of the core gameplay systems and delivers a complete, immersive journey from beginning to end—with room for further refinement and expansion.

Key features included in this version:

A touching story that lets you experience the life and emotions of the main character firsthand

Challenging Puzzles & Mini-Games: A variety of intricate puzzles and interactive sequences designed to engage players intellectually while deepening the immersion.

Intense Jump Scares: Carefully crafted horror moments designed to unsettle players and keep them on edge throughout their journey.

Dynamic Shooting Mechanics: Fluid and responsive combat with a focus on survival. Ammo is limited, tension is high, and threats are ever-present.

Smart Secrets to Uncover: Hidden paths, cryptic messages, and narrative clues are scattered across the game world, rewarding exploration and curiosity.

Psychologically Disturbing Situations: Players will find themselves in deeply unsettling scenarios that blur the line between reality and nightmare.

While this version already represents a significant portion of the intended experience, ALWAYS is still evolving. I will continue to monitor feedback, address bugs, and expand the game based on your suggestions. Your input is essential to shaping the final vision.”

Will the game be priced differently during and after Early Access?

“Players who purchase the game during Early Access will receive all future updates and content at no additional cost. Your early support is greatly appreciated and will be rewarded with full access to the final version.
However, the price of ALWAYS may increase slightly once the full version is released to reflect the added content, features, and overall improvements.”

How are you planning on involving the Community in your development process?

“The community is at the heart of this journey. I encourage players to share their feedback, suggestions, and bug reports through the Steam Discussions and the game’s official Discord server. I will be actively monitoring both platforms and using your insights to guide development.
Additionally, I will be sharing regular development update videos on YouTube, where I’ll also be reading and considering your comments to help shape future updates.”
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About This Game

ABOUT ALWAYS

ALWAYS: ILL is a psychological horror experience that plunges you into a world where memories lie, shadows breathe, and every step draws you deeper into a reality you can no longer trust. You play as a man shattered by loss, desperately searching for his missing daughter in the aftermath of a mysterious catastrophe. As you explore abandoned towns, decaying homes, and twisted dreamscapes, the line between the living and the dead begins to blur.

What begins as a search turns into a descent—into madness, into grief, into a hidden world governed by a dark ritual and a forbidden pact. Something ancient is watching. Something that feeds on pain… and wants you to remember.

Navigate eerie environments, solve emotional and environmental puzzles, and survive chilling encounters in a game that fuses cinematic storytelling with terrifying gameplay. But be warned: in ALWAYS, it's not just what’s in front of you that you should fear—it’s what’s been buried deep within.

ALWAYS: ILL GAME LORE

After losing his daughter, a broken detective clings to the sound of her voice — until an accident pulls him into a twisted nightmare. Trapped in haunting echoes of her past, he must solve puzzles and uncover chilling clues to stop a deranged man from sacrificing his child... to bring back his own.

ALWAYS: ILL GAME FEATURES

  • Unique, Smart Puzzles

Solve a variety of logic-based and environmental puzzles that challenge your perception.

  • Psychological Horror Atmosphere

Immerse yourself in a disturbing world where reality shifts constantly and every location tells a piece of a deeper, darker truth.

  • Cinematic Storytelling

Experience a haunting narrative focused on a father’s emotional journey to find his daughter, with professionally crafted cutscenes and in-game storytelling moments.

  • First-Person Immersion

Explore detailed, atmospheric environments from a first-person perspective that enhances tension, discovery, and dread.

  • Quick-Time Survival Events (QTEs)

Engage in intense, heart-pounding moments where quick reflexes are the difference between life and death.

  • Emotion-Driven Exploration

Every location, item, and puzzle is tied to the character’s emotional past, making exploration meaningful and impactful.

  • Dynamic Sound Design

Designed to keep you on edge, with subtle audio cues, whispers, footsteps, and unsettling ambiance following your every move.

Mature Content Description

The developers describe the content like this:

ALWAYS is a psychological horror game that includes creepy atmospheres, disturbing situations, and occasional blood effects. While it does not contain extreme violence, some scenes may still be unsettling for younger players or sensitive audiences.
Parental discretion is advised based on regional content guidelines and age ratings.

System Requirements

    Minimum:
    • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
    • OS: Windows 10/11
    • Processor: Intel® Core™ i5-3470 or AMD™ Ryzen 5 3600
    • Memory: 8 GB RAM
    • Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 970 or AMD Radeon R9 280
    • DirectX: Version 12
    • Storage: 5 GB available space
    • Additional Notes: Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
    Recommended:
    • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
    • OS: Windows 10/11
    • Processor: Intel® Core™ i7-3770 or AMD FX™-9590
    • Memory: 16 GB RAM
    • Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 (12GB) / AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT
    • DirectX: Version 12
    • Storage: 5 GB available space
    • Additional Notes: Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system

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