Toronto-based indie developer Little Guy Games has announced plans to present a hands-on demo of “Endless Night: The Darkness Within” at PAX East 2024 in May, where attendees will get their first chance to play the upcoming psychological metroidvania at booth 17104.
The game places players in the fractured dreamworld of Jake, a man battling PTSD. During sleep, players explore shifting dreamscapes filled with surreal landscapes, forgotten memories and manifestations of inner demons.
“We wanted to make a game where failure isn’t punishment – it’s revelation,” said Tom Frencel, creative director at Little Guy Games. “Endless Night is about confronting the darkest parts of yourself – and emerging changed.”
What sets “Endless Night” apart from other metroidvania titles is its approach to player death. Instead of serving as a penalty, each death reshapes the dream environment, unlocking new paths, memories and narrative insights.
The game features:
- A nonlinear, interconnected world tied to the protagonist’s psychological state
- Combat framed as emotional catharsis, with enemies representing internal struggles
- Elemental gear and abilities that evolve through gameplay
- Original soundtrack by sync artist Nathalie King
- Full voice acting throughout the narrative
“Endless Night: The Darkness Within” joins a growing number of indie games exploring mental health themes through gameplay mechanics rather than treating them solely as narrative elements.
The PAX East demo will be available in May, with Little Guy Games representatives at booth 17104 to discuss development and inspiration behind the project.
The company has not announced a release date.
