KARNAL (v1.5)

A nameless journalist wakes inside a hostile confinement where the distinction between a waking investigation and a private nightmare steadily collapses. KARNAL is a compact, old-school first-person shooter built around oppressive atmosphere, brutal encounters, and a personal goal: get out, get home, and make sure your wife is safe. Its 1990s FPS influence shows in the direct movement and weapon-focused action, while Unreal Engine 5 lighting gives the corridors, arenas, and strange environments a far more modern sense of shadow and reflection. The mood is grim, surreal, and deliberately uncomfortable rather than campy retro nostalgia.

Survival depends on more than simply aiming well. Ammunition, health, weapon choice, positioning, and fast movement all matter when enemies pressure you, making every encounter a test of resource management as well as reflexes. Progress through the main scenario involves pushing through dangerous spaces, uncovering the route forward, and paying close attention to hidden areas that may contain secrets, Easter eggs, or collectible Lost Tapes that expand the side content. Difficulty is intentionally severe, rewarding players who learn enemy behavior and use the environment rather than trying to absorb damage. Arena Mode offers a separate replayable challenge, letting you earn or gamble for money, buy gear and supplies, then attempt to survive escalating waves in different combat spaces.

What separates KARNAL from a purely retro throwback is the clash between its classic shooter fundamentals and its polished, realistic illumination. Lumen’s dynamic-looking light and reflections help turn familiar industrial horror imagery into something more tactile, whether a room is lit by a cold glow or obscured by deep darkness. The short campaign format makes it better suited to players seeking a concentrated horror-FPS session than a huge open-ended adventure, while the arena mode gives skilled players a reason to return. Fans of punishing, secret-filled shooters in the vein of classic Doom-inspired indies, especially those who value atmosphere over hand-holding, are the natural audience.