Encryption brief preview: A very promising first-person horror game that I'm still thinking about

I played plenty of games at Gamescom in August, but Encryption was the only title I kept thinking about on the plane ride home. I was booked to see this first-person horror game on the second day, in the area where you could look at games developed from different countries worldwide. Encryption stood out from the pack for me because of how good it looked and played, even in this early state.

Developed by Digital Lighthouse, Encryption is set in a near-future Matera, Italy, consumed by fire. Over the course of the demo, there were various moments where you would face creepy monsters, solve puzzles, and search for the protagonist's missing daughter.

All in the wrist

The opening sees Matera in flames. You need to run to find shelter from the poisonous smoke, and you're suddenly greeted with a puzzle, featuring a camcorder and some signs around the area. What I liked straight away was how grounded Encryption felt.

Game directors Adriano Bizzoco and Davide Colangelo hung about as I began the demo, helpfully pointing out where to go in the time I had, as well as talking about how the game came to be. They explained how Encryption originated from research in collaboration with the University of Basilicata, the National Research Council (CNR), and the UNESCO Youth Committee. Bizzoco and Colangelo both told me how they also drew directly on the places they used to go to growing up, and it all shows throughout.

Another highlight was having the only bit of UI on your wristwatch. I thought it'd be a hindrance, but you know when you're low on health thanks to the ever-growing red mist around the screen. Plus, when you use an electrified device, pictured above, to fire projectiles at enemies, its glow simply fades when it's out of charge - no meter needed.

The puzzles were fun enough as you matched up different symbols with the markings on walls, as well as a great moment in the scene with a kid's bedroom. These all broke up the pace between evading enemies and running between different underground alcoves, and it felt refreshing.

Wearing headphones during my demo, I loved the atmospheric sound that was all around, whether that was outside avoiding the smoke or slowly dodging the shadow-like enemies. Even when the tone hugely changed to the kid's bedroom that looked tranquil at first before being set alight, it really showcased Unreal Engine 5 at work with the lighting and how the fire slowly spread, from licking at the mattress to overflowing the room in flames.

After roughly 45 minutes, the demo wrapped up. I came away impressed. Bizzoco and Colangelo are clearly passionate about Encryption. It felt like a breath of fresh air for the first-person horror genre, and reminded me of moments from BioShock, as you fire projectiles with the electrified device, and of Half-Life with the Gordon Freeman-style silent protagonist. All of this made me wonder what's coming next, and whether the climate angle will play a big part later on.

From the sound to the impressive graphics that really highlight the real-life climate consequences, Encryption feels like a game that could make a statement for the times we're living in. I wanted to play more, which is always a good sign, especially from a demo.

Encryption is currently set for release in early 2027 for PC and consoles.

Thanks to Adriano and Davide for speaking to me, as well as to Thomas Hughes and Gabrielle Hibberd at Renaissance PR for arranging the demo.