Caput Mortum, an Eerie, Atmospheric Horror Adventure that Redefines Old-School Dungeon Crawlers, Out Now on Steam
Devilishly unique controls and forbidden alchemical secrets define Black Lantern Collective’s first chilling release
Black Lantern Collective and WildArts Games are thrilled to share that Caput Mortum, a short first-person horror experience inspired by retro 3D dungeon crawlers and survival horror games, is out now on Steam.
Inspired by classics such as King’s Field and Amnesia: The Dark Descent, Caput Mortum beckons players deep beneath an abandoned 16th-century alchemist’s tower in the French countryside. Players must keep their wits about them and master devilishly unique controls as they uncover horrors beyond death and piece together forbidden knowledge.
Behold — the Caput Mortum Launch Trailer:
A controller is recommended to enjoy Caput Mortum to the fullest, and fans of old-school dungeon crawlers might recognize a King’s Field-style controller settings option, which emulates the button mapping of FromSoftware’s classic 1994 action RPG. There’s also a keyboard-only mode to maintain a feeling of vulnerability, and a keyboard with mouse mode for a more familiar experience.
“The game’s core theme is something we’re very passionate about, and it’s been super fun alluding to it through subtle and not-so-subtle means,” said Gabriel B. Dufour, Art Director at WildArts Games. “Another thing that turned out to be a treat was to research alchemy. Every symbol and imagery you see in the game has historical meaning, and most puzzles are based on real-life chemical reactions!”
Caput Mortum Key Features:
- Slow-Burn Horror: Close the lights, put on headphones, and immerse yourself in the game’s macabre world. Music by Ockeroid provides atmospheric chills to match the spectacles of terror within those dark, dust-laden halls.
- Puzzles Galore: Behind every door lurks a new mystery, and in every corner a key to some eldritch secret. Pay close attention to your surroundings, overcome unique puzzles, and piece together the events that took place within the tower. How deep are you willing to go, and what terrible truths will you uncover?
- Unique Controls: Play with a control scheme reminiscent of old-school dungeon crawlers that makes you feel more vulnerable. Control your right hand separately to interact with objects and attack creatures. Several control options are available for either controller, keyboard, or keyboard and mouse play!
- Survival is Key: You must stay vigilant, as varied monsters roam the abandoned halls of the tower and won’t hesitate to attack. Stealth past them, fight back, or perhaps… something else? Just be mindful of your health. There are only so many healing items in the game. This is old school, remember?
Caput Mortum is available now for Windows PC via Steam at a 10% discount through September 3, 2025. After the sale ends, it will be $11.99 USD.
Peer into the sinister workings of Black Lantern Collective on the official website, Facebook, X (Twitter), Bluesky, Instagram, YouTube, and Reddit. Join the Discord community.
About WildArts Games
WildArts Games is a team of French Canadians who dream of bringing fantastical worlds, memorable characters, and fun gameplay to you through the remarkable and unique medium of video games. Thus far, WildArts Games has created the cartoonishly charming RPG Born of Bread, the indie first-person horror game Helltown, and, most recently, Caput Mortum.
About Black Lantern Collective
Black Lantern Collective is a group of experienced horror specialists that rejected the rigid structures of traditional publishing to bring you the weird shit that freaks like us want to play. Together, we have over 15 years of experience with the genre, including games, movies, media, and journalism; our team members have put to market some of the greatest hits of recent years. Our team consists of publishers, developers, marketers, and influencers, which gives us an in-depth understanding of each step of releasing a game to the market. And we watch shitty movies on the weekends. Open invite.
About The Author
