The Piano

Platform(s): PC
Genre: Action/Adventure
Developer: Mistaken Visions
Release Date: June 4, 2018

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'The Piano' Re-emerges, Shows Off Changes - Screens & Trailer

by Rainier on March 7, 2018 @ 8:45 a.m. PST

The Piano is a mystery adventure set in 1940s Paris, which combines puzzle-solving, survival horror and a haunting, deeply personal storyline.

Born to an American father and a French mother in the aftermath of the Great War, John Barnerway lived in the shadow of his three brothers. George, Louis and Valentine were renowned pianists - but when John is accused of their murders, he finds himself at the centre of a media witch-hunt that sees him traversing the lonely streets of Paris in search of answers. As John battles his own demons, he sets out to solve the mystery once and for all - searching the streets of Paris for clues, while navigating the darkest corners of his own mind.

The Piano invites players to explore both the present and the past in search of answers. Solve puzzles to access deeper layers of John’s memory. Fend off enemies who want to keep the truth locked away. Connect the clues, and solve the dark and harrowing riddle of the Barnerway case.

Part traditional survival horror, part story-driven adventure, and part noir-influenced murder mystery, The Piano is an unsettling and riveting indie game more than five years in the making.


The game was originally slated for release early in 2017 but, in response to feedback from testers, creator Jonathan Stemmildt opted to delay the game and has been working away in silence over the past year.

To launch the game, Mistaken Visions have partnered with indie game consultancy Game If You Are. As a result of the partnership, the game will now feature a fully voice acted cast of characters -- with recording taking place at present. Game If You Are's director Lewis Denby -- co-creator of critically acclaimed adventure game Richard & Alice -- joins The Piano team as Producer.

Mistaken Visions' Jonathan Stemmildt, creator of The Piano, said: "Five years ago I had the idea of making a horror game that wasn't just about the scares, but which featured a deep and personal story that players could become emotionally invested in. It was my first game and I never really expected much to come of it - but suddenly, something I dreamed about for years is becoming reality, and time is just flying by. It feels great!"

Lewis Denby said: "I first discovered The Piano 18 months ago. When Jonathan sent me an early demo, I found a game that, while rough around the edges, had an atmosphere and personality unlike anything I'd ever played before -- and since then, Jonathan and I have kept collaborating on occasion, slowly nudging it towards completion."

He added: "I'm really pleased that we've been able to partner up in a more official capacity. It's been great working together, and I think the results are already speaking for themselves. Together we've taken Mistaken Visions' already extraordinary work and started adding that extra layer of polish. The voice acting in particular has really lifted the experience -- but it helps that the game itself was already so creative and captivating!"

Key Features

  • True psychological horror: delve into the darkest corners of John's mind
  • Gather clues and solve puzzles in search of answers
  • Evade terrifying foes that stalk the empty streets of Paris
  • Piece together a fragmented story to uncover the truth
  • A noir-influenced aesthetic, with heavily stylised visuals
  • Immersive soundtrack and full voice acting

The Piano will release for PC via Steam this Spring.


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