Welcome to Hanwell
Released Oct 2017
Open world horror set in a city in which your worst nightmares have become an everyday part of life. Explore a dense open world of terror, every building a unique location with it's own story to tell. Strung together by the remenants of Hanwell.
48% positive · 378 reviews
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Where to get it
Free on Steam
Evaluation
Welcome to Hanwell launched on October 20, 2017 as a paid open-world horror game. The developer (Nathan, Steel Arts) was actively patching and adding content in the months following launch, shipping several feature updates through early 2018. In March 2018, a companion/spinoff title, The Council of Hanwell, was announced and released as a separate product — and prior buyers received it for free.
By June 27, 2018, the developer posted a brief update acknowledging that updates had slowed due to real-life commitments, but stated they remained "committed to supporting the game" for minor fixes. After that post, no further content updates are recorded — only the sequel announcement in October 2023 and the free-to-play conversion in August 2024.
On August 21, 2024, the developer made Welcome to Hanwell permanently free to coincide with the launch of its sequel, Beyond Hanwell. This was framed as a celebration and a way to lower barriers for new players exploring the Hanwell universe. No new content for Welcome to Hanwell itself was announced alongside this change — it was a pricing change, not a content update. The developer's focus has clearly shifted to Beyond Hanwell as the active project.
There are no unreleased DLC items, no roadmap for future Welcome to Hanwell content, and no developer statements suggesting further updates are planned for this game. The last meaningful content work concluded around mid-2018, and the game now exists as a free, complete entry point into the Hanwell universe.
Evidence
Developer acknowledged that updates had slowed due to real-life commitments but stated continued support for the game. This is the last recorded content-bearing post for Welcome to Hanwell.
Developer made Welcome to Hanwell permanently free to coincide with the launch of its sequel, Beyond Hanwell. No new content announced for the base game — framed purely as a barrier-removal for new players.
Media
Details
Developer
Publisher
Steel Arts
Achievements
13
Platform
Windows
Controller
partial support
Steam Deck
Playable
Players
Single-player
About this game
Open World Horror
Welcome to Hanwell, once a safe haven from the horrors of the world, now a cesspit of anomalous scum. Explore a dense open world of terror, every building a unique location with it's own story to tell. Strung together by the remenants of Hanwell.
Hanwell
There is something deeply unsettling about Hanwell. Unexplained noises, something in the corner of your eye or laying just beyond the shadows create an atmosphere that will keep you constantly on edge.
Monsters, known in the game as Anomalies, roam the streets. They occasionally get into the once protected buildings. What you do with them is up to you, be resourceful and pick up whatever you can find in order to fight them, if you think you can handle it. Or run. And don't look back.
There is an entire city to explore, featuring different environments each more distinct than the last. From residential homes, old English pubs, parks, stores, supermarkets and government buildings, all the way to the infamous HCPP research center. Each location holds its own backstory, leading to your arrival. Upon which there will always be something happening.
The Hanwell Council of Public Protection
When the anomalies first emerged, the Hanwell Council of Public Protection (HCPP) was formed to keep residents safe.Providing equipment and expertise on prevention and preparation. With the help of the HCPP, Hanwell became one of the safest, if most inconvenient places on the planet. But the council has fallen, you try to carry on as normal, but failing equipment and lack of warning has become a major issue. In addition to this, you are being stalked by a mysterious individual who seems to be everywhere.
The rest of the world closed the gates and left Hanwell to rot. Thus begins your journey...
Warning!
This game contains flashing images which may have an adverse on people suffering from photosensitive epilepsy.Are these done yet?
Last evaluated Jun 25, 2026
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