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The Dark Layer
You are an investigator granted access to the "Paranormal Event Archive Management System." Browse century-old case files. Search for clues. But be careful—the archives are watching you now. >_ Files that watch back. Disappearances unexplained. Messages never sent.

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Features
Languages:
Interface Full Audio Subtitles
English ✔ ✔ ✔
Simplified Chinese ✔ ✔ ✔

Coming Soon To Early Access

The developers of this game intend to release as a work in progress, developing with the feedback of players.

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?

“Ghost Archive is a narrative-driven interactive archive game. We're launching in Early Access to gather player feedback on our keyword puzzle system, meta-horror pacing, and multi-ending branching. Player investigation paths and discovery order will directly help us optimize archive unlock logic and narrative tension for the full release.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“Approximately 1-5 months.”

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

“We plan to expand the game during Early Access with additional case content, investigative features, ending variations, audio improvements, and balance adjustments based on player feedback. The exact scope and timing may change as development continues.
”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“The current Early Access version includes fully playable core mechanics: archive reading, keyword search system, resonance/control dual tracking, whisper network, multi-ending framework, and complete case files for Events 001 through 006. The story cuts off abruptly at the end of Event 006—what happens next will be revealed in future updates. The Early Access version offers roughly 1-2 hours of gameplay.”

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

“We currently plan to keep the price the same during and after Early Access. If this changes, we will update this answer before making any pricing change.
”

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

“We plan to engage the community through regular Steam announcements sharing development progress, gathering feedback on keyword clue difficulty and narrative pacing through community discussions. Anomalies in player-discovered puzzle paths and meta-horror experience feedback will be directly incorporated into ongoing updates.”
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About This Game

Ghost Archive is a meta-horror interactive archive game. You are an investigator granted access to the "Paranormal Event Archive Management System." Browse classified case files, search for keywords, piece together clues — and uncover the truth behind a series of unexplained disappearances spanning over a century.

But as your investigation deepens, you begin to realize: the archives aren't just being read. They're reading you.

Key Features:

  • 🔍 Archive Exploration: 29+ unique case files — manuscripts, reports, diaries, autopsy records, and more

  • 📝 Keyword Search System: Type the right keywords to unlock new files, simulating real investigative work

  • 👁️ Resonance & Control Dual Tracker: Every choice you make is recorded. Every path you take leaves a trace

  • 🌐 Whisper Network: Eerie messages left behind by other "investigators"

  • 🏆 Multiple Endings: Your level of control determines your fate — Tracker, Witness, or Symbiote?

AI Generated Content Disclosure

The developers describe how their game uses AI Generated Content like this:

Some visual assets in this game (including 19 case file illustrations and the game icon) were created using generative AI tools during development and are embedded as static assets. The game does not use any real-time AI generation during gameplay. All player experiences are consistent and reproducible.

System Requirements

    Minimum:
    • OS *: Windows 7 / 8 / 10 / 11
    • Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo or equivalent
    • Memory: 256 MB RAM
    • Graphics: Integrated graphics
    • Storage: 500 MB available space
    Recommended:
    • OS: Windows 10 / 11
    • Processor: Any modern processor
    • Memory: 512 MB RAM
    • Graphics: Integrated graphics
    • Storage: 1 GB available space
* Starting January 1st, 2024, the Steam Client will only support Windows 10 and later versions.
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