If you are still recovering from the existential dread of SOMA, you might want to prepare yourself. At The Game Awards 2025, Frictional Games—the studio behind Amnesia and Penumbra—finally pulled the curtain back on their next major project: Ontos. Described as a spiritual successor to their 2015 masterpiece, this game looks set to deliver another dose of high-concept sci-fi horror that will haunt your dreams for years to come.
Set to launch in 2026, Ontos takes players to the desolate surface of the moon. But this isn’t a peaceful lunar vacation. You will be exploring “Samsara,” a repurposed moon hotel built atop a failed mining colony. The reveal trailer was dripping with atmosphere, blending retro-futuristic technology with the kind of unsettling, organic horror that Frictional has perfected over the last decade.
A Star-Studded Descent into Madness
One of the biggest surprises of the announcement was the voice talent. The game features none other than Stellan Skarsgård (Dune, Chernobyl), whose gravelly, commanding voice narrates the trailer. His involvement adds a layer of cinematic gravitas that fits perfectly with the studio’s narrative ambitions.
You play as Aditi Amani, an engineer searching for answers about her estranged father. As is typical for Frictional Games, this personal quest quickly spirals into a nightmare involving questionable experiments and the fracturing of reality itself. The developers have teased that there is no “one solution” to obstacles, suggesting a more systemic, open-ended approach to gameplay than the linear corridors of Amnesia.
Tactile Horror on the Moon
The gameplay description hints at a focus on “tactile, systems-driven” interactions. You will be manipulating intricate analog machinery, calibrating systems, and scavenging for resources. This aligns with Frictional’s philosophy of grounding the player in the world through physical interaction—think of the heavy levers and buttons in SOMA, but evolved for a new generation.
The setting of Samsara itself seems to be a character. It is described as a “vast labyrinth,” implying a metroidvania-like structure where unlocking new areas relies on your ability to understand and fix the station’s decaying tech. And, of course, you aren’t alone up there. The trailer offered brief, terrifying glimpses of “experiments” that have clearly gone wrong, hinting at enemies that will test your morality as much as your reflexes.
Release Date and Platforms
Ontos is scheduled for release in 2026. It will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC (via Steam and Epic Games Store).
While the wait might be long, Frictional Games is known for taking their time to polish their nightmares. If Ontos can capture even half of the brilliance of SOMA, it will be a defining horror title of the generation. Until then, we have plenty of time to speculate on what “Ontos” (Greek for “being” or “reality”) really means in this twisted universe.
Conclusion
Frictional Games has never been content with cheap jump scares. They want to get under your skin and make you question your own existence. With Ontos, they are aiming for the stars—or rather, the moon—to do it again. With Stellan Skarsgård on board and a focus on open-ended, tactile gameplay, this is easily one of our most anticipated games of 2026.
FAQs
When is Ontos coming out?
The game is currently scheduled for a 2026 release.
What platforms will it be on?
It will launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Is this a sequel to SOMA?
It is described as a “spiritual successor” to SOMA. It shares similar themes of existentialism and sci-fi horror but features a new story and setting.
Who is the main character?
You play as Aditi Amani, an engineer exploring a moon hotel to find her father.
Is there combat?
Frictional Games typically focuses on stealth and avoidance rather than combat. While details are scarce, the emphasis on “ingenuity” and “consequences” suggests you won’t be gunning down enemies.