Players can now descend into the crushing darkness of the deep ocean, as independent studio Howling Hamster Entertainment has released a playable demo for Sub-Species on Steam. The upcoming 2.5D multidirectional action-adventure shooter invites players beneath Earth’s oceans following a catastrophic alien outbreak, blending tense navigation, spatial combat, and environmental storytelling into a focused vertical slice.
Available now on PC, the demo offers a first hands-on look at Sub-Species’ defining feature: full 360° submarine movement. Players pilot a heavily armed sub capable of rotating freely in all directions, navigating claustrophobic caverns, collapsed facilities, and hostile alien-infested zones where visibility, momentum, and positioning matter just as much as firepower.
A demo built to set the tone
Rather than functioning as a simple tutorial, the Sub-Species demo is designed as a self-contained experience, lasting roughly 25–40 minutes. It introduces the world through exploration and environmental cues, gradually layering mechanics while hinting at a much larger mystery lurking beneath the surface.
The demo is split into two distinct stages. The opening level focuses on movement and spatial awareness, allowing players to get comfortable with the submarine’s weight and rotational control. The second level raises the stakes, introducing combat encounters shaped by pressure, visibility, and anticipation rather than overwhelming enemy numbers.
According to Creative Director Manus Burke, the goal was to let players feel the tension of the environment itself. Every narrow passage, drifting object, and flicker of light contributes to a sense of unease, reinforcing the idea that the ocean is as dangerous as anything hiding within it.
Combat shaped by space, not chaos
Combat in Sub-Species is deliberately restrained. Instead of flooding the screen with enemies, encounters are designed around reading the environment and reacting under pressure. Positioning, line of sight, and timing play a crucial role, encouraging players to slow down and think rather than rely on brute force.
Environmental interaction also plays a key role throughout the demo. Players will salvage wreckage, manoeuvre objects, and navigate complex spaces using spatial awareness and the level map, reinforcing the feeling of operating a fragile vessel in an unforgiving environment.
Retro inspiration with modern atmosphere
Sub-Species draws inspiration from classics such as Sub-Terrania and Ecco the Dolphin, while leaning heavily into cinematic deep-sea science fiction. The result is a blend of retro precision and modern atmosphere, where the world feels mechanical, alien, and unsettling without relying on heavy exposition.
Narrative elements are delivered subtly through environments, objectives, and exploration, encouraging curiosity rather than spelling everything out. Much of the story remains deliberately obscured, tempting players to venture deeper when the full game arrives.
Availability
The Sub-Species demo is available now on PC via Steam. The full game is currently in development, with players able to download the demo, wishlist the game, and follow future updates on Steam as Howling Hamster Entertainment continues to expand its haunting underwater world.
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