Lost Cabinet Games has announced Obsidian Moon, a text-driven noir detective simulator steeped in Lovecraftian horror, Mediterranean chthonic mythologies, and the shadowy aesthetics of 1930s pulp fiction. Set to launch on PC via Steam, the game immerses players in a smoke-choked, crumbling city plagued by the weight of ritualistic murders and occult conspiracies, granting full investigative freedom across a branching narrative that spirals into psychological unraveling and creeping madness.
Unveiled alongside a moody announcement trailer, Obsidian Moon casts players as Carter, a once-renowned homicide detective now haunted by personal loss and professional disgrace. When a string of ritual killings shakes Obsidian City to its core, Carter is pulled back into a labyrinth of blood, secrets and cosmic dread. As the cases pile up, players must interrogate suspects, follow leads, conduct vintage forensic work and make high-stakes choices that shape the narrative—all while balancing time, money and Carter’s fraying sanity.
Across ten interconnected murder cases, players will uncover a broader conspiracy tied to a secretive cult bent on resurrecting an ancient malevolent entity. Optional side cases further delve into the backstories of key characters, adding depth to the unfolding mystery. The gameplay encourages diverse investigative approaches, offering tools like suspect surveillance, detailed forensic lab work, criminal record analysis and old-school police work.
While unorthodox methods like drawing a magnum are technically possible, the game explicitly warns against using them. Players are free to navigate the investigation through methodical deduction or morally grey tactics, but each decision carries weight, influencing not just the outcome of the case, but Carter’s fragile grip on sanity.
“We wanted to build a detective game that gives players true investigative freedom—not just to solve the case, but to lose themselves in the process,” said Game Director Yannis Antonakakis. “The entire design is built around one question: what if all the clues were laid out in front of you, and the only thing standing between order and chaos was your mind?”
Inspired by titles like Stacklands, Cultist Simulator, and Papers, Please, Obsidian Moon incorporates genre-defying mechanics such as card-based systems, resource management, and narrative puzzle-solving. Players can experience the story through three distinct perspectives: Carter, his idealistic rookie partner “The Kid,” and their hard-nosed superior, Chief O’Hara, offering different insights into the unfolding horror.
The game also features multiple difficulty modes, including a narrative-driven experience and a hardcore permadeath challenge. A dedicated noir visual filter transforms the game into stark black-and-white, further enhancing the game’s moody, period-authentic aesthetic and gritty theme.
Developed by Athens-based Lost Cabinet Games, Obsidian Moon reflects the studio’s commitment to reviving the spirit of 80s and 90s storytelling while experimenting with modern, immersive game design. Although a release date has not yet been confirmed, Obsidian Moon is set to launch on PC via Steam. Stay tuned at @LostCabinet for the latest updates and announcements!
Words by Khushboo Malhotra
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