Athanasia Demo Review – A Promising Retro Sci-Fi Horror Experience

Dinosaurs, dread, and immersive sim elements set the tone for this promising indie

First Impressions

The Athanasia demo offers a strong first look at a game that should appeal to fans of classic survival horror—especially those who love a sci-fi twist. You play as Carmen Flores, who wakes up disoriented in a crumbling research facility, only to find it crawling with deadly dinosaurs. From the opening moments, the game builds a slow, creeping sense of dread, evoking the atmosphere of early Half-Life before chaos fully sets in.

Retro Atmosphere with Modern Immersion

The gameplay blends stealth, light crafting, and puzzle-solving, where you’re encouraged to make strategic choices—whether it’s sneaking past threats, setting up traps, or using distractions to gain an advantage. Dim lighting, ambient soundscapes, and gritty PS1-inspired visuals work together to capture the spirit of late-90s PC horror games. These mechanics give the game a strong immersive sim feel.

Some Rough Edges Remain

As a demo, it’s clear Athanasia is still early in development. The inventory system is functional but clunky, the combat feels undercooked, and there are some minor bugs—enemies occasionally getting stuck or doors behaving oddly. Still, none of this undermines the core experience. The atmosphere and gameplay foundation are strong, and with continued development, this game could grow into something truly memorable.

Final Thoughts

Athanasia doesn’t just aim to scare—it wants to immerse, challenge, and unsettle. The demo already delivers a moody, thought-provoking slice of retro horror that hints at a much larger world beneath the surface. If the developers can tighten the systems and iron out the technical issues, this indie project could stand tall alongside some of the genre’s modern classics.

Join the Athanasia Playtest on Steam

Also check out our Game of the Week 13: Fallen Aces — another standout retro-style title that blends old-school aesthetics with slick modern gameplay.

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