Trenches - World War 1 Horror Survival Game

Trenches - World War 1 Horror Survival Game

Released Jan 2023

Trenches is a First-Person World War l Survival Horror Game where you have to escape the claustrophobic environment and experience the war from the eyes of a soldier caught behind enemy lines in this surreal nightmare as you fight for your life and sanity to get back home to your family.

69% positive · 146 reviews
Done
All announced content has been released
Medium confidence
Done
All announced content has been released
Medium confidence

Where to buy

Steam $7.49 $9.99 −25%
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Evaluation

Trenches launched into Early Access and officially graduated to its 1.0 release on January 20, 2023, with the developer explicitly stating it was leaving Early Access while committing to continued fixes and improvements. Since launch, the game has received a steady stream of patches and feature updates. The most significant recent development is the release of Trenches VR — a separate standalone VR title that launched on October 22–23, 2025. Posts from that period show the developer celebrating the VR release and shipping a v2.6.2 update to the original game alongside it (adding full controller support, improved AI, new audio, and visual tweaks). The developer framed Trenches VR as a companion project inspired by the original. The last developer communication for this game was on October 23, 2025. The developer's post acknowledged that the main game updates were essentially supporting the VR launch, and the tone suggests Trenches (non-VR) is in a maintenance/complete state rather than a game with planned new content. There are no announced upcoming updates, no unreleased DLC, no roadmap, and no statements about future content for the base game. The developer has been a solo creator who openly discussed working on "a couple of new game projects" as of July 2025, with Trenches VR being the primary focus. The base Trenches game appears to have reached its final state with the v2.6.2 update in October 2025. No further content has been announced since that date, and today's date is June 22, 2026 — roughly 8 months of silence on the base game, consistent with a completed product. The store description still contains Early Access language ("It is currently in Early Access"), but this is outdated text that was not updated after the January 2023 1.0 release — the Steam Early Access flag is confirmed as false, and the developer's January 2023 post explicitly announced leaving Early Access.
Evidence
Developer announced the launch of Trenches VR and shipped v2.6.2 for the base game, adding controller support, improved AI, new audio, and visual tweaks. This is the most recent developer communication for the base game.
news post · Oct 23, 2025 source content shipped
high
Developer announced the game is leaving Early Access with the v2.0 release, while committing to continued fixes and updates based on community feedback.
news post · Jan 20, 2023 source content shipped
high

Media

Details

Publisher
Steelkrill Studio
Achievements
—
Platform
Windows
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Not rated
Players
Single-player · Multiplayer · Co-op

About this game



WARNING: This game may be disturbing to some audience as this game contains real disturbing images, sounds, fear nature, jump scares and intense horror that may not be for the Faint of heart. Play this game at your own risk.

Welcome to the Trenches, 1917. A World War 1 first person horror survival game where you, caught behind enemy lines - have to survive and escape the harsh war-torn environment and experience World War l like never before from the eyes of James R. in this surreal nightmare, as you fight for your life and for your sanity. Explore the real chilling story as you navigate the horrors equipped with only your senses, hearing and trench whistle. Find clues to better understand and escape the enemy trenches without being caught to return to your family.

Please note: Trenches is a survival horror game being worked on by one developer, the premise of the game is that you have to collect clues and try to escape the Trenches. It is currently in Early Access and I will try my best to update the game frequently to give you the best enjoyable experience. Please do submit your feedbacks and suggestions as it really helps out with the development!







Try to escape by collecting vital clues and find out what is going on. Trenches is a psychological horror game - where your only escape is through your senses and hearing using your trench whistle to guide you, however that also comes at a price since the enemy can hear your trench whistle. Enemies will also be able to hear if you walk on wood as it will make creaking noise or if you break any bottles. Try to escape the trenches with caution as every corner that you will turn can be your last.

The game relies on sounds and hearing, as you are equipped with a 'Trench Whistle' which you can use. When it's used, it will play a sound and you need to follow the sound, however - you have to be careful as the enemy can hear the whistle too and it can give out your position easily. A HARDCORE objective-finding type first-person psychological horror survival game experience about finding and collecting clues with the goal to escape the Trenches, with gut-wrecking moments and different clue locations with repeatability option.

Features:


  • An Immersive Experience with realistic graphics and a claustrophobic environment set in the Trenches of World War I in 1917.
  • Hardcore Gameplay: A hardcore survival horror game where there is only 1 save. If you die, you die. That is why every step if crucial.
  • Replay-ability: Randomized locations for clues, so play-through will be different on each take with different takes on each corner.
  • Hearing And Senses: Relay on your hearing to escape the Trenches. Be careful though, the enemies can mimic the sounds familiar to you.
  • Hiding System: Hide from the enemies in narrow trench passageways and under beds to get past your enemies or hide from them.
  • Insanity: Just because you passed somewhere already, does not mean that there is nothing there. The environment may change with your sanity.
  • Gut Wrecking Moments: Walking on wood can make more noises, same as throwing bottles; all these things can give away your position. Try to evade them or use them as your advantages.
  • Trench Whistle: Use your trench whistle if you are lost. When used, a sound will play if you are near a clue, however the enemies may hear your Trench whistle and it may give out your position - so use wisely.
  • Enemy That Listens: The enemies can hear your footsteps, your breathing and your fear. It can mimic sounds of others and will stop at nothing to get to you.
  • Plan Accordingly: Plan your next move as it may be your last. Peak around corners, watch your foosteps and be always on the move.

An environment that changes along with your sanity.

Inventory system and a picture of your family, to remind you to come back home.

Interact with items and objects which can be helpful and provide you tips.

Gut-wrecking moments with an enemy that mimics your loved ones voices.

Creepy environment with narrow trenches set in World War 1.

- With threats lurking around each corner you turn.

Trench Whistle to tell you where you need to go next, but enemy can also hear it.

A creepy tale that tells the story of a soldier in the horrors of war.

Throw bottles and objects to distract the enemies and evade them.

Hide in narrow trench passageways to stay hidden from the enemy.

Find items to help you feel safer or guide you in Trenches.

Play as the wayfaring soldier in the Trenches, try to keep sane.

Enemies can now hear you breath from your mic, If they are near.

Hold your breath if enemy is around, otherwise he won't go away.

How To Survive:


1. Crouch and stay low, so enemies won't hear you.
2. Hide under bunk beds or narrow spaces and stay safe.
3. Don't run or you will make noise. Run only when necessary.
4. Be careful when walking on wooden surface since it makes loud noise.
5. You can cause a distraction by throwing objects items such as bottles.
6. Mind your stamina, if you get tired then you cannot outrun your enemies.
7. Use your trench whistle if you're lost and follow the sound, but be careful because enemies can hear the whistle too and come running to your location.
8. Be careful of your surroundings. Some things are real, while others are not.
9. If you hear running foosteps, that's not good news - as they may have heard you. Run or hide!

'Trenches' is a horror game made by one developer at Steelkrill Studio. Please note this game is an objective-collection game with replay-ability. Your objective is to find and collect clues in the Trenches while having items such as the Trench Whistle to guide you while you are being hunted by the enemy. If you can, please submit your feedback and report any bugs and this will really help speed up the progress of the development by a bunch .. Thank you for trying it out.
Last evaluated Jun 22, 2026
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