Gamers seeking a chilling blend of first-person shooter action and Lovecraftian horror, take note! Team Derelict’s highly anticipated game, DROSS, has officially become a part of Lovecraftian Days on Steam, hosted by Fulqrum Publishing.This event, running until April 21^st, 2025, offers a curated selection of games inspired by the cosmic horror master, H.P. Lovecraft.

For U.S. gamers familiar with titles like “Call of Cthulhu” or “The Sinking City,” DROSS promises a similar descent into madness, but with a unique roguelike twist.Players will navigate a procedurally generated, derelict facility teeming with alien bugs, scavenging for powerful weapons and equipment to survive.

The core gameplay loop revolves around upgrading gear and battling the grotesque Dross, all while attempting to eradicate the infestation and uncover the facility’s hidden secrets. Think “Doom” meets “The Thing,” with a dash of “Groundhog Day.”

As the developer Team Derelict states:

DROSS is an FPS Roguelike set in a derelict facility infested with alien bugs. Travel a procedurally generated world, get powerful weapons and equipment, and upgrade your gear to survive. Fight the Dross, discover and destroy the infestation, and uncover the secrets of this mysterious installation.

The game’s narrative hook is instantly engaging:

You wake up, crashed onto a barren planet. around you there is nothing but hostile wasteland, battered by wicked wind and storm. There is a lone outpost barely visible nearby. Crawling slowly, with oxygen low, you finally reach the open entrance. Within the doorway a ramp seems to lead down into an underground facility. You decide you must enter this facility and hope to find a way to escape this wretched place but you aren’t alone…the Dross are here with you.

This sense of isolation and desperate survival should resonate with fans of classic sci-fi horror films like “Alien” or even more recent hits like “Annihilation.”

Key Gameplay Features: A Breakdown

DROSS boasts several features designed to keep players on the edge of their seats:

• Immersive Combat: The game emphasizes player choice in combat. Players can opt for stealth and subterfuge, utilizing traps and door access to minimize contact with the Dross or engage in head-on assaults with heavy weapons and explosives. The Dross are designed to adapt to your tactics, creating a dynamic and challenging experience.
• Deep Customization: A wide array of weaponry, including pistols, rifles, shotguns, heavy weapons, and explosives, allows players to tailor their combat style. Players can upgrade their suit, weapons, and tools to further enhance their preferred approach. This level of customization echoes popular RPG elements found in games like “Fallout” or “Borderlands,” adding depth beyond simple shooting mechanics.
• Roguelike Procedural Generation: The procedural generation ensures that no two playthroughs are the same. Each delve into the facility uncovers new paths and secrets, encouraging exploration and replayability. This roguelike element, similar to games like “Hades” or “Dead Cells,” adds a layer of unpredictability and challenge, rewarding skilled players who can adapt to changing circumstances.
• Uncover The Truth: Beyond the immediate goal of survival, DROSS features a compelling narrative thread. As players venture deeper into the facility, they will uncover the secrets of its purpose, the reason for their presence on the planet, and the origins of the Dross infestation. The developer hints at a crucial role for a companion character named Vanth, suggesting a more complex story than a simple bug hunt.

The Appeal of Lovecraftian Horror in Gaming

The enduring popularity of Lovecraftian horror in gaming stems from its unique blend of cosmic dread, psychological horror, and challenging gameplay. Unlike customary horror, which often relies on jump scares and immediate threats, Lovecraftian horror focuses on the insignificance of humanity in the face of vast, unknowable forces. This sense of existential dread can be especially effective in video games, where players are given agency within these terrifying worlds.

DROSS appears to tap into this appeal by presenting players with a hostile surroundings, limited resources, and enemies that defy easy comprehension. The procedural generation further amplifies the sense of uncertainty and vulnerability, forcing players to confront the unknown with each new playthrough.

Potential Challenges and Opportunities

While DROSS shows considerable promise, it also faces several potential challenges. As a roguelike,it must strike a delicate balance between difficulty and fairness. Overly punishing mechanics can frustrate players,while a lack of challenge can diminish the sense of accomplishment. The procedural generation must also be carefully calibrated to ensure that levels are both varied and engaging, avoiding repetitive or nonsensical layouts.

However, if Team Derelict can successfully navigate these challenges, DROSS has the potential to become a standout title in the Lovecraftian horror genre. Its unique combination of FPS action, roguelike elements, and deep customization options could attract a wide audience of gamers seeking a challenging and rewarding experience.

to sum up

DROSS is now available to be added to your Steam wishlist. A press kit is also available. To keep up with the latest info, follow Team Derelict on Twitter.