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Introduction
Hey horror fiends, Gravenox here, bringing you news on the newest eerie entry from Storytale: (The Lingering) Graveyard Visit, a PS2 style horror.
Slated for a Q2 2025 release, this suspense filled walking simulator drops you directly in the middle of an Indonesian urban legend, where the supernatural is as visible as the night fog.
TLDR – For the Tired Scroll-Reader
If you’re craving horror, Graveyard Visit is one to watch. It’s retro styled, folklore‑infused, and emotionally anchored in a kid’s grief. Story puzzles that feel like they unlock chills.
Plus, a bonus, real Indonesian myths. Watch the teaser, join their Steam Wishlist, and prep your prayer beads.
So, Let’s Dig Up the Details?
- Developer/Publisher: Storytale (the folks behind Pamali and the OG Lingering)
- Genre: First‑person, story driven, walking sim, puzzle exploration, atmospheric horror with that retro PS2 aesthetic.
- Platform: PC via Steam. Steam Deck compatibility is rumored but not officially confirmed, is compatible with Xbox Controller.
- Release Window: Q2 2025, so we’ve got a while to build up our dread and creep factor.
The Chilling Setup
You play as Eki, an 11‑year‑old boy mourning his dad. He and his mom head to Dad’s grave for a simple visit, but something (or someone) insidious quickly twists this innocuous visit into a tale of greed, sacrifice, and folklore.
Enter Tomy, the local kid who knows too much about village rituals, and you start to wonder if this is just a bleak memorial, or something far darker.
Inspiration
According to Storytalestudio, this isn’t just some run-of-the-mill urban legend. In Indonesian folklore, there’s a belief of human sacrificial ritual to gain wealth. This reminds of devil pacts in the Western folklore.
However, in Indonesian folklore, after you create a pact with the devil so that you can acquire massive wealth, you must give up a person that’s beloved to you – which could be your mother, father, partner, child, and so on. This serves as the main conflict in the game.
There’re also several other folklore aspects combined in the game, such as Indonesian Muslim burial beliefs, as well as a true-life account, found in Indonesian folklore.
In short, the devs summed it is by saying,
“Your mom took you to a graveyard. She said to visit your late father’s grave. She lied.”
Subject Matter
Seeing how this installment will focus on themes of grief and economic hardship. The devs at Storytale made sure to approach these areas carefully.
They were adamant on representing it through the main conflict, motivation, and revelations of the characters in the game. How they move, how they behave, interact shows this. Grief can bring about poverty, and poverty can cause grief.
The team was quoted as saying,
“We’re trying and hopefully able to show that in Indonesia, those topics are very eminent and close to our daily lives, especially during this economic crisis.”
With the clear passion and inspiration driving this game, from authentic Indonesian portrayal of culture to social and economic aspects, makes this story all the more impactful and potentially relatable.
Gameplay & Graphics
Gameplay
As mentioned, gamers will explore an eerie graveyard with atmospheric immersion and subtle puzzles.
Graphics
Expect visuals and ambiance inspired by actual Indonesian lore. Gamers will likely see aged mausoleums and branching shadows dancing in moonlight.
The PS2 style graphics, with chunky textures and grainy lighting, create a nostalgic throwback that makes everything feel uncanny. It’s a fitting aesthetic for disquiet and dread.
I asked the devs at Starytale about their choice for PS2 style graphics, which comes from the team’s extensive research into the PS2 art style, and The Lingering Series is a testament to this.
Heavy inspiration came from games like Fatal Frame and Forbidden Siren to capture an unsettling, dread inducing atmosphere. In fact, Storytale stated that,
“We also took inspiration from various YouTube videos that explore old Indonesian buildings, using them as a reference to build a more authentic and eerie setting.”
With such dedication to designing an authentic Indonesian graveyard and folklore, it sounds like this game will meet that haunting atmosphere the devs are striving for.
Teaser Vibes & Buzz
The official teaser popped up on Storytale’s YouTube and socials like Instagram and X(Twitter). The PS2 visuals are a masterclass in dread, mute and loaded with unease.
Music’s a muffled heartbeat, visuals are silhouettes, you’re chasing a feeling more than clarity.
Community chats (including the official Reddit) hint that Storytale is leaning into folklore drawn from true urban legends, the same vibe they’ve nailed with The Lingering: Last Customer.
There are no ratings yet, as the game hasn’t launched yet. However, with the way things look and sound about this new installment into The Lingering Series, this game will be one to keep an eye in the indie horror space.
Why It Matters
- Strong sequel energy
This is the next installment in The Lingering anthology. Storytale’s pushing forward into a full-on series inspired by spine-chilling Indonesian true‑story horror. - Cultural voice
We don’t get many horror games steeped this much in Southeast Asian supernatural lore. Storytale’s moving into more global, culturally authentic storytelling, and it’s a breath of fresh, haunted air. - Emotional anchor
Eki’s grief is the emotional core. When you pair childlike vulnerability with actual grief, it’s more than jump scares; it’s psychological horror that digs deep. - Stylish throwback
PS2-era graphics aren’t just aesthetic; they cloak the visuals in distortion and nostalgia, making unseen things more terrifying than clear CGI monsters. - Puzzle integration
Puzzles are woven into the graveyard story, letting you unravel lore simultaneously.
What We Still Don’t Know
- How long will the game be? No runtime given yet.
- Steam Deck? Early signs say maybe, but no official list yet.
Final Verdict
(The Lingering) Graveyard Visit brings a unique horror angle that’s rooted deeply in Indonesian folklore. Emotional bereavement, childhood, survival and retro visuals amplify creep factors.
Gameplay remains partially mysterious, which adds more thrill to the game’s release.
Closing Thoughts
(The Lingering) Graveyard Visit shapes up to one of those rare indie horror games that doesn’t just scare, it unsettles culturally, emotionally, psychologically. Storytale shows that horror doesn’t have to mimic American slasher tropes.
Horror can build on your ancient legends to craft completely new frights. It’s that distinct voice that makes me excited.
Expect more updates as teasers drop closer to and around Q2. Until then, add your name to the Steam Wishlist, and prep for a graveyard jaunt that’s more than just headstones and shadows, it’s a family’s descent into ritual dread.
If you want more indie horror news, check out my news on a popularly rising indie mascot horror here!
Stay genuine, and I’ll catch you soon.
— Gravenox (Nero)
Nero lives in the United States, delving into indie horror to mainstream games. Armed with a psych degree and a passion for storytelling, he wrote stories and essays published online and in museum catalogs. Besides writing, he also likes sketching and tuning into rock music. Catch his latest posts or follow him across social media.