“We want you to die of fear.” According to its creators, this game is so brutal that even a PEGI 18 rating will fall short, with gore scenes that are both shocking and nearly impossible to watch. ILL doesn’t have a release date yet, but the developers at Team Clout have already shared their inspirations and gameplay mechanics.

Since its return at Summer Game Fest 2025, ILL has made a strong impression on horror and body horror fans. Announced nearly five years ago as Team Clout’s debut, development has also involved Mundfish (the team behind Atomic Heart). While there’s still no specific release date, the creators have repeatedly emphasized: ILL is not for everyone.

Maxim Verehin and Oleg Vdovenko are no strangers to crafting fear. According to PlayStation, they’ve worked on Longlegs, V/H/S/Beyond, and the upcoming It: Welcome to Derry. Now, they’re channeling that experience into a game that aims for more than cheap scares. Verehin says ILL is an action-horror game—not classic terror—focusing on unique storytelling: a visceral experience that balances extreme tension and intense melee combat. The plot is still under wraps, but it’s known to center on an Eastern European fortress overrun by unspeakable horrors.

ILL wants you to feel the fear, not just in your mind, but in your body

The goal is for players to feel not only psychological, but physical anxiety—every enemy mutates, suffers, and adapts, and every shot and wound leaves a visible mark. “We want it to feel like it’s happening to you,” says Verehin. This bodily discomfort is paired with an oppressive, dark atmosphere, with the protagonist emotionally tied to the in-game events.

Monster design is a highlight: inspired by horror classics from the ’70s and ’90s, when practical effects and creative lighting ruled. ILL’s creatures are unsettlingly deformed, their movements unnerving—Verehin and Oleg brought them to life using creepy poses acted out by the team. The enemies aren’t just meant to be frightening, but exciting to fight—hence the unusual movement and attacks.

ILL’s gameplay mixes exploration, resource management, and action with survival-horror elements. You’ll find and upgrade weapons, face enemies in waves or one-on-one, solve environmental puzzles, and manipulate the environment to progress. “It’s important for us that the world feels believable and lifelike,” adds Verehin. The arsenal ranges from classic shotguns and revolvers to homemade tools and all sorts of melee weapons.

Ultimately, ILL’s goal is to be more than a horror game: it aims to create a shared, conversational experience. “We want players to say to each other, ‘You know what happened to me in this game?’—and for someone else to reply, ‘That never happened to me!'” Verehin summarizes. With its blend of authentic horror, intense action, and a palpably oppressive world, ILL could become one of the most promising genre titles of the coming years.

Source: 3djuegos