The Deadseat

The Deadseat – A Retro-Style Horror Action Game

Created by Curious Fox Sox and released on April 30, 2025, The Deadseat is a short horror action game that blends psychological tension with old-school video game charm. It invites players to survive a terrifying car ride gone wrong while juggling the line between reality and a pixelated handheld world.

The story begins in the backseat of your parents’ car during a long drive home from your grandmother’s house. Their arguments fill the air, growing more heated as you retreat into your handheld game for distraction. But soon, that small screen becomes something more—a mirror of what’s happening around you. The objects you collect in-game start appearing in the real world, and something monstrous begins clawing its way into the backseat.

What makes The Deadseat especially gripping is how it uses everyday familiarity—being stuck in a family car ride—to build dread. The entire experience unfolds in first person, combining 2D and 3D visuals with pixel art that softens the scene just enough to make the fear more personal. There’s no running away; you can only face what’s closing in and hope to make it through the night.

Alongside its emotional story, the gameplay focuses on managing limited items, keeping your attention divided between the handheld console and the creeping horror outside it. The sense of helplessness mirrors the main character’s wish to escape a collapsing home life. That blend of emotional realism and tense action makes each moment feel more meaningful than your typical jump-scare horror.

The full version of the game is available on Steam with added story content and a Hard Mode for those looking for an even greater challenge.