Put Up a Fight Against the Bloom in Nightbound
Crooked Cats Studio has announced Nightbound, an upcoming ’80s-inspired horror love story that blends side-scrolling exploration with turn-based tactical combat. The game is scheduled to launch on Steam in Q1 2027, while PC players can get an early look through a demo planned for Steam Next Fest in October 2026.
Nightbound takes place in a world devastated by a mysterious force known as the Bloom. When night arrives, the Bloom hunts down the few survivors left behind. Players will follow Loren, who has spent years protecting her family home, and Jun, a stranger who suddenly enters her life.
Although the two don’t exactly get along at first, survival forces them to work together. Their goal is to repair an old van and reach a mountain sanctuary where the Bloom cannot follow them. Until then, they must defend their home against increasingly dangerous nights.
Combat focuses on turn-based tactics, with each night bringing different challenges. Players can also unlock special Potentials, allowing Loren and Jun to perform moves together, such as healing each other, taking hits, or providing cover during dangerous encounters.
Life outside combat is just as important. Players will cook meals, repair the house, make choices that affect their relationship, and find small moments of happiness amid the apocalypse. Eventually, the pair will have to leave their temporary shelter behind. Repairing the van and escaping could be their only chance at survival.
Nightbound looks set to offer a refreshing mix of horror, strategy, and emotional storytelling when it arrives in 2027.