Midnight Special

RPG· Retro· Survival Horror· Exploration

Released May 2026

Welcome to Midnight Special, a point-and-click survival horror game drenched in 16-bit pixel art and 1980s retro dread. On a thunderous night in 1987 in Maine, you awaken in a labyrinthine manor. You must click, explore, and solve puzzles to escape. Will you go gentle into that good night?

73% positive · 168 reviews

Not yet

Released, but content still planned

High confidence

Content Planned

Not yet

Released, but content still planned

High confidence

Content Planned

Where to buy

Steam Updated 12 Oct 2026 $14.99

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Evaluation

Midnight Special graduated from Early Access to its full 1.0 release on May 21, 2026. The developer — Alexandru Hagiu, operating solo under Scared Stupid Inc. — has remained actively engaged with the game since launch, shipping patches on June 5 and June 26, 2026, and most recently on September 4, 2026. The September 4, 2026 developer post is the most current and informative communication. In it, the developer announces a studio change (the publisher Yahaha has departed, leaving the developer solo going forward), confirms that new content is in the works targeting around Halloween 2026, and notes ongoing efforts including Spanish localization and an Apple Silicon Mac port. Notably, the developer also reveals they are currently working on a 45–60 minute demo for a sequel. The June 26, 2026 patch post had already established a clear list of planned free content — new story additions, a free Halloween DLC, new music tracks, expanded lore and interactions for several in-game areas — and committed to releasing updates "at least once a month." The September 4 post reaffirms this trajectory, confirming that while resources are reduced now that the developer is working alone, updates will continue. The departure of the co-developer/publisher (Yahaha) is a notable change in circumstances, but the developer explicitly addresses it and states they will continue updates independently. This resolves any ambiguity — the developer is still active and committed to delivering the planned Halloween content.

Evidence

Developer confirms parting ways with publisher Yahaha, will continue solo. States new content is in the works targeting around Halloween. Also working on Spanish localization, Apple Silicon Mac port, and a 45–60 minute sequel demo.

news post · Sep 4, 2026 source content planned

high

Patch #3 post explicitly lists planned free story content, a free Halloween DLC, new music tracks, expanded lore and interactions for multiple in-game areas, and commits to releasing content 'at least once a month.'

news post · Jun 26, 2026 source content planned

high

Media

Details

Developer

Scared Stupid Inc

Publisher

Scared Stupid Inc

Achievements

Platform

Windows

Controller

—

Steam Deck

Playable

Players

Single-player

Retro Survival Horror Exploration Pixel Graphics Point & Click Female Protagonist Horror Psychological Horror Adventure Dark Atmospheric Alternate History Hand-drawn Story Rich 1980s

About this game

Inspiration from...

The gory thrills of giallo, the suspense of slashers, and the otherworldly charm of 70s and 80s sci-fi.

We're thrilled to bring you a chilling adventure that blends cinematic horror with the nostalgic vibes of '90s 16-bit games.

How to Save the Game?

After waking from the nightmare and answering the mysterious phone call, Sarah can unlock manual saving by interacting with the cigarette pack in the kitchen.

How to use it: In your inventory, drag the cigarette onto the lighter to bring up the save menu.

Midnight Special is a point-and-click survival horror experience that echoes the spirit of '90s classics like Clock Tower and Resident Evil. Set in the late '80s at Boyd Manor, you step into the shoes of Sarah, a babysitter tasked with watching over Jon and Ellie Boyd for the night.

What begins as an ordinary evening takes a sinister turn.

The power goes out, plunging the house into pitch-black darkness. With each step, reality twists into something far more disturbing.

Bizarre phone calls, a deranged stalker perhaps?
Unpleasant odors seeping up from the floorboards.
Objects moving on their own as if possessed.
A life-sized plastic dinosaur that seems... alive.

Has Sarah lost her mind? Or has something far more sinister taken root?

Classic Point-and-Click Survival Horror
Explore a foreboding environment filled with chilling surprises, puzzles to solve, and secrets to uncover.
A Tribute to Retro Horror
Influenced by '70s and '80s horror cinema and '90s gaming, Midnight Special blends nostalgia with heart-pounding suspense.
Atmospheric 16-Bit Graphics
Gorgeous handcrafted visuals capture the eerie, cinematic tone in stunning pixel art.
Psychological Thrills
Question everything as reality twists and warps around you. Can you trust what you see?
Immersive Audio Design
An immersive, spine-tingling soundtrack and unnerving audio cues heighten the tension with every step you take.

With its carefully woven narrative, Midnight Special invites players to step into a story of psychological terror and mystery. Every corner holds a secret, and every clue leads you deeper into a horrifying truth.

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