Gloomwood fans got the perfect New Year’s gift when developer Dillon Rogers and publisher New Blood Interactive dropped the Hightown update on January 1, 2026. After speculation about whether it would arrive before or after the holidays, the substantial content addition finally landed, bringing new areas to explore, weapons to master, and mysteries to unravel in this Victorian stealth horror game that’s been quietly becoming one of the best immersive sims in Early Access.
What Is Gloomwood?
For those unfamiliar, Gloomwood is a first-person stealth survival horror game heavily inspired by Thief: The Dark Project and Bloodborne. You play as the Doctor, a mysterious figure who wakes up in a grim Victorian fishing village overtaken by monsters and hostile cultists. The game emphasizes careful exploration, resource management, and methodical combat where getting into prolonged fights means certain death. Think of it as Thief meets Resident Evil 4’s inventory management with Bloodborne’s oppressive gothic atmosphere.
What sets Gloomwood apart from other immersive sims is its commitment to tactile, weighty gameplay. Reloading your revolver requires manually opening the cylinder, ejecting spent shells, and inserting new rounds one at a time. Your inventory uses an attaché case system borrowed directly from Resident Evil 4, forcing you to carefully organize limited space. Movement feels deliberate rather than floaty, and every action from opening doors to picking up items has weight and consequence.
What’s In The Hightown Update?
While developer Dillon Rogers kept specific details scarce leading up to release, the Hightown update represents a major content expansion for the Early Access game. Based on the trailer and SteamDB patch notes, Hightown adds an entirely new district to explore within Gloomwood’s interconnected city structure. Previous updates added the Fishery, Mines, Tavern, and Market District, each with distinct atmospheres and gameplay challenges. Hightown continues that tradition with what appears to be a wealthier, more ornate section of the cursed city.
The update also includes what Rogers cryptically described as “cool new toys,” suggesting new weapons or items for the Doctor’s arsenal. Given Gloomwood’s existing inventory of revolvers, shotguns, cane swords, flare pistols, and various monster transformation serums, the possibilities for new equipment are intriguing. The game’s monster transformation system alone has been compared to a combination of Mario Odyssey’s possession mechanic and Hitman’s disguise system, letting you turn into creatures to access new areas and bypass enemies.
The Monster Juice System
One of Gloomwood’s most innovative features is its monster serum transformation system, which has been expanded in recent updates. By drinking special serums, the Doctor transforms into different monster forms, each with unique abilities. The bat transformation grants super jumps and the ability to pass hostile creatures who think you’re one of them. This mechanic essentially functions as both a movement power-up and a stealth disguise system rolled into one horrifying package.
Earlier in 2025, Rogers released gameplay footage showing how monster transformations would receive more uses per vial, making them viable tools for exploration rather than one-off gimmicks. The way these transformations open up previously inaccessible areas while maintaining the game’s tense atmosphere demonstrates how Gloomwood builds on immersive sim traditions without simply copying them.
Why The Delay?
The Hightown update was expected earlier in December 2025, leading to Reddit discussions about whether it would drop before or after New Year’s. In the patch notes, Rogers apologized that the update “took a little longer than expected,” explaining they wanted to include those mysterious “cool new toys” rather than rush it out. Given New Blood Interactive’s reputation for quality over speed with titles like DUSK and ULTRAKILL, the delay makes sense.
This approach contrasts sharply with typical Early Access games that push frequent small updates to maintain engagement. Gloomwood instead releases substantial content drops separated by months of development, with each new district feeling like a complete, polished addition rather than incremental progress. The Tavern update in December 2023 drew comparisons to Amnesia for its horror atmosphere, while the Market District opened up the game’s structure significantly.
How Gloomwood Compares To Thief
| Aspect | Thief Series | Gloomwood |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Discrete missions with hub | Single interconnected open city |
| Combat | Discouraged but viable | Survival horror, often suicidal |
| Atmosphere | Medieval steampunk fantasy | Victorian gothic horror |
| Inventory | Abstract menu system | Resident Evil 4 attaché case |
| Resource Management | Moderate emphasis | Heavy survival horror focus |
Despite obvious inspirations, Gloomwood distinguishes itself from Thief in meaningful ways. The interconnected city structure resembles Dark Souls more than Thief’s mission-based format. Combat is genuinely terrifying rather than just inadvisable, with enemies capable of shredding you in seconds if you’re caught unprepared. The survival horror elements create constant tension that even Thief’s scariest missions like Return to the Cathedral never quite achieved.
Most importantly, Gloomwood commits to its grungy low-poly aesthetic in ways that enhance rather than detract from immersion. The simplistic enemy animations and dated graphics evoke PS1 horror games while allowing for complex systems and large interconnected areas that photorealistic graphics would make prohibitively expensive to create.
The Mirror Realm Mystery
One of Gloomwood’s most cryptic additions came in the December 2023 Christmas update with the Mirror Realm, a mysterious alternate dimension accessible through magenta portals. New Blood has been deliberately vague about what the Mirror Realm actually is, describing it as offering “inexplicable ways back to areas you’ve previously been” and hinting at “new surprises.” This Metroidvania-style backtracking element adds another layer to the game’s already complex level design.
The Mirror Realm’s existence suggests Gloomwood has ambitions beyond straightforward stealth gameplay. Like the monster transformations, it’s the kind of ambitious system that could anchor its own game but here serves as one piece of a larger whole. This generosity with creative ideas mirrors New Blood’s general philosophy as a publisher, supporting developers who want to pack their games with interesting mechanics rather than strip them down to safe minimalism.
Early Access Progress
Gloomwood entered Early Access in September 2022, meaning it’s been in development for over three years with no firm release date announced. The game launched with just the Fishery level, but subsequent updates have added the Mines, Tavern, Market District, and now Hightown. According to a December 2023 PC Gamer article, these five areas may represent only half of what the full release will include, with a map teasing multiple unexplored districts still to come.
This slow, methodical approach to Early Access feels increasingly rare in an era where games languish in perpetual beta or rush to 1.0 releases before they’re ready. Rogers and New Blood seem committed to actually using Early Access as intended, building the game piece by piece while incorporating player feedback, rather than treating it as a marketing label or excuse for releasing unfinished products.
The Stephen Russell Factor
One detail that got Thief fans particularly excited was Rogers mentioning in 2020 that New Blood was working on getting Stephen Russell, the legendary voice actor behind Garrett and Dishonored’s Corvo, involved in Gloomwood. Russell’s gravelly, sardonic delivery defined Thief’s atmosphere, and his potential involvement would be a massive get for the project. However, there’s been no confirmation whether Russell ultimately joined the production or will appear in Hightown specifically.
Even without Russell’s involvement, Gloomwood’s audio design impresses. The ambient soundscape of creaking wood, distant monster groans, and your own labored breathing creates constant dread. Enemy voice lines are appropriately unsettling without being annoying, and the soundtrack knows when to stay silent, letting environmental audio carry the horror.
New Blood’s Publishing Philosophy
Gloomwood’s success reflects New Blood Interactive’s broader approach to publishing. The company, founded by developer Dave Oshry, focuses on supporting ambitious indie developers making games in classic genres that major publishers consider too niche. DUSK, ULTRAKILL, Amid Evil, and Fashion Police Squad all exemplify this philosophy, taking inspiration from ’90s shooters while adding modern design sensibilities.
What New Blood brings beyond just funding is marketing expertise and an enthusiastic community. By cultivating a fanbase that appreciates retro aesthetics and gameplay-first design, they’ve created an ecosystem where games like Gloomwood can thrive despite their deliberately old-school presentation. The low-poly graphics and chunky animations that might hurt a game from an unknown developer become selling points under New Blood’s banner.
What’s Next For Gloomwood?
With Hightown now available, the question becomes how much more content remains before Gloomwood reaches 1.0. Based on the teaser map from the Tavern update, several major districts remain unexplored including the Cathedral Rows, Olde Towne, Sootworks, and others. If each receives the same level of care and distinct identity as existing areas, Gloomwood could easily be another year or two away from full release.
Rogers hasn’t indicated any rush to finish the game, which is probably wise. One of Early Access’s biggest pitfalls is developers feeling pressured to declare 1.0 before the game is truly ready, either due to financial constraints or community impatience. New Blood’s backing likely provides Rogers the financial runway to take his time, and the passionate fanbase seems content to wait for quality over speed.
Why You Should Play It
If you’re a fan of immersive sims, stealth games, or survival horror, Gloomwood deserves your attention. It successfully captures what made Looking Glass Studios’ classics special while integrating modern design lessons from games like Resident Evil 4 and Bloodborne. The Early Access state is remarkably polished, with the existing content providing 15-20 hours of gameplay even before Hightown.
The game also represents something increasingly rare in modern gaming: a single developer with a clear vision executing it without committee interference or live service bloat. This is a passion project in the best sense, made by someone who clearly loves immersive sims and wants to contribute meaningfully to the genre rather than just cash in on nostalgia.
FAQs
What is the Hightown update in Gloomwood?
Hightown is a major content update released January 1, 2026, adding a new district to explore in Gloomwood’s interconnected Victorian city. It includes new areas, weapons, and continues the story of the Doctor’s investigation into the cursed city.
When did Gloomwood’s Hightown update release?
The Hightown update launched on January 1, 2026, slightly delayed from its expected December 2025 release window. Developer Dillon Rogers apologized for the delay, explaining they wanted to include additional content.
Is Gloomwood similar to Thief?
Gloomwood is heavily inspired by Thief but adds survival horror elements, Resident Evil 4 style inventory management, and a more interconnected world structure. It’s best described as Thief meets Bloodborne with tactical stealth gameplay.
How long has Gloomwood been in Early Access?
Gloomwood entered Early Access in September 2022, making it over three years in development. The game launched with one area and has steadily added new districts through major updates, with no firm 1.0 release date announced.
What is the monster transformation system?
Gloomwood lets players drink monster serums to transform into creatures like bat monsters, granting new abilities like super jumps and the ability to pass by enemies disguised. It’s been compared to Mario Odyssey’s possession mechanic combined with Hitman’s disguise system.
Is Stephen Russell in Gloomwood?
Developer Dillon Rogers mentioned in 2020 that New Blood was working on getting Stephen Russell, Thief’s voice actor, involved in the game. However, there’s been no confirmation whether this happened or if Russell appears in the Hightown update.
How much of Gloomwood is complete?
With Hightown, the game now includes five major areas: Fishery, Mines, Tavern, Market District, and Hightown. A teaser map suggests several more districts remain to be added, potentially making current content about half of the final game.
Who publishes Gloomwood?
New Blood Interactive publishes Gloomwood, the same company behind DUSK, ULTRAKILL, and Amid Evil. They specialize in supporting indie developers making retro-inspired games with modern design sensibilities.
Is Gloomwood worth playing in Early Access?
Yes, the Early Access version is remarkably polished with 15-20+ hours of content even before Hightown. Each update adds substantial, complete-feeling areas rather than incremental progress, making it feel more like a complete game receiving expansions.
Conclusion
The Hightown update represents another milestone in Gloomwood’s journey from promising demo to one of the most compelling immersive sims in years. By taking inspiration from classics like Thief and Bloodborne while adding unique mechanics like the monster transformation system and Resident Evil 4 inventory management, developer Dillon Rogers has created something that feels both nostalgic and fresh. The deliberate pacing of Early Access updates, with each new district adding substantial content rather than rushing to completion, shows a commitment to quality that’s increasingly rare in modern game development. For fans of stealth games, survival horror, or immersive sims, Gloomwood’s Victorian nightmare offers exactly the kind of methodical, atmospheric experience that major publishers stopped making years ago. With New Blood’s support and a passionate community, the game has the runway to become truly special by the time it reaches 1.0. Until then, Hightown provides plenty of new horrors to explore in the streets of this cursed city.