The indie gaming scene has delivered consistent highs so far in 2025, and Midnight Mayhem is shaping up to continue that trend. With a June 3 early access Steam release date on the horizon, it won't be long before the project sees the light of day. Ironically, that's the last thing the monster within would want. In Midnight Mayhem, one shadow is all it takes to disappear. That's thanks to a unique stealth and lighting mechanic that could be a genre game-changer.
Midnight Mayhem gets the horror basics right by crafting a villain worth running from. A patchwork jester with hollow eyes is creepy even before it starts crawling on the walls. With a leering, checkerboard face and bloody grin, the monster is a sinister sight. It's the creature's powers that make it remarkable, however. Midnight Mayhem harnesses lighting in a way that fellow horror games like Dead by Daylight and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre haven't.
A new take on asymmetric horror games
A good monster knows to harness the element of surprise. The monster in Midnight Mayhem does just that. Entering a shadow turns it invisible, allowing it to scurry closer to its prey undetected. Although flashlights and other light sources can help the human players survive, the monster's bag of tricks isn't so easily outdone. Troublesome streetlight? Snuff it out. Troublesome human? Snatch them with your tentacles and drag them into the nearest vent.
Midnight Mayhem leans closer to Video Horror Society than Dead by Daylight, equipping survivors with weapons to combat the monster. Beartraps, explosives, and more are at your disposal, and with up to five players pitted against one monster, opportunities for zany combat abound. Arming both sides in this way can be difficult to balance. If developer Gradient Games can pull it off, the result could be memorable. In a genre that struggles with player retention, that's a big deal.
Between proxy chat, a variety of maps and monster powers, and a creepy aesthetic, there's a lot to like about Midnight Mayhem. Mixing a dash of Lethal Company with a splash of Killer Klowns and a helping of original ideas, Midnight Mayhem could do big things. For indie horror games, an early access launch is an exciting start. Still, revealing the game's true potential will take time. PC players can join the mayhem when Midnight Mayhem launches into early access on June 3.