The West was nearly tamed – until the Nightmare appeared, a dark force from another dimension that players must now confront. The reveal trailer introduces a group of brave – but far from selfless – souls fighting to survive in this innovative tactical extraction looter.

The story of Nightmare Frontier unfolds in an alternate version of 19th-century America, shortly after a mysterious event that forever changed the world. The line between reality and an unknown horror has started to fade, and those who remain are left to uncover what truly happened that night – and what’s behind the titular Nightmare. The streets were overrun by monsters emerging from the dark abysses of the terror dimension – the survivors called these creatures Dreadweavers. These beings are the physical embodiment of people's deepest fears. Players will step into the shoes of the ringleader, who, despite overwhelming terror, finds a chance for survival in this new reality. Leading other scavengers, they venture deep into the city, risking everything they have left in search of loot.

Set in a dark and ruthless universe, Ice Code Games' latest game offers players something truly unique – a blend of tactical turn-based gameplay with elements typical for roguelites and extraction looters. One of the key gameplay features is the constant need to take risks, which go hand in hand with potential rewards – Dreadweavers controlling the city are merciless, and reckless pursuit of loot can have tragic consequences. The Nightmare grows stronger with each turn, increasing in power and numbers.

As the terrifying events unfold, the city is mostly consumed by the Nightmare – a metaphysical and mysterious force. As it grew, the surroundings became increasingly tangled and destroyed. The chance that deadly anomalies will allow for enhancement of combat abilities goes up as well. Only a team willing to face their darkest fears is able to venture deeper into it and survive. However, the terror has left its mark on everyone, and each character will struggle with their own inner demons, which will influence challenges.

Ice Code Games – the team behind Hard West 2 and Rogue Waters – invites players to survive and fight for loot in Nightmare Frontier, now available in Early Access on Steam for $19.99 / €19.99, with a 25% launch discount.

"The Early Access version includes the full core gameplay loop, offering a solid and engaging experience. You'll find a wide variety of items to collect and monsters to battle, each contributing to the game's strategic depth. Players can challenge themselves to go deeper and deeper in infinite expeditions, with plenty of content to enjoy for many hours. It's already packed with tactical challenges and is designed to keep you coming back for more.”

“During Early Access we plan to significantly expand the content and gameplay possibilities within it. This includes adding new items to introduce fresh tactical options, new monsters to provide unique strategic challenges, and additional levels for greater variety and difficulty. We plan to give high priority to balancing the game based on a wide sample of data to ensure maximum enjoyment. We may have a lot of experience in the genre but nothing beats the actual input of real players going through the dev team's designs. Additionally, we plan to introduce new types of districts featuring distinct graphical layouts, enhancing both visual diversity and gameplay depth.”

Players who checked out the demo have already gotten a taste of the challenges awaiting in Nightmare Frontier. Early Access introduces significantly more content, including four city districts with the possibility of unlimited raids deep into the Nightmare, where a team of tough individuals will confront 13 terrifying human fears and face matching enemies.

"Kicking off today, players will begin to uncover the America we’ve crafted for them in Nightmare Frontier. Thanks to the community’s comments regarding the recent demo, we’re now heading into Early Access with the goal of creating something unique – together with our fans. Our blend of extraction looter gameplay and tactical turn-based strategy with roguelite elements is innovative, so every piece of feedback is extremely valuable," said Mateusz Pilski, CEO.

"The connection between the attacking monsters and the fears each squad member holds puts the players’ courage to a test. With every step deeper into the Nightmare, the world grows harsher, and the stakes of every battle rise," added Pilski.

Key Features:

• Turn-Based Gun 'n' Slash – a combat system where every detail matters. Nightmare Frontier blends deep tactical gameplay with dynamic combat, using well-known and beloved mechanics from Ice Code Games' previous titles. Push enemies around the battlefield, use the environment to your advantage, chain skills, and get the most out of turn. Showcase your tactical creativity like never before.
• No risk, no reward – in the spirit of extraction looters, players walk the path that leads between risk and opportunity, deciding whether to push deeper into the dark city, risking everything, or retreat to safety and preserve their gains. The greater the risk, the more tempting the rewards – valuable items, resources, and upgrades that can alter the course of the game.
• Otherworldly terror – the titular Nightmare affects all aspects of gameplay – from shaping locations and challenges to the abilities of team members and enemies. Its growing power brings new challenges – every choice and battle is influenced by its increasingly strong presence.
• One more fight – Oversee your team, complete missions, and gather resources to forge powerful weapons. Explore the Nightmare and its dark capabilities by sending your team on dangerous raids into the devastated city, where every step deeper brings you closer to uncovering terrifying secrets.
• Crafted by veterans – Nightmare Frontier builds upon refined and highly praised mechanics known from Hard West 2 (including the famous Bravado), as well as the innovative approach to melee combat showcased in Rogue Waters. Thanks to their previous projects, Ice Code Games has earned a reputation as experts in tactical turn-based games.

Nightmare Frontier will immerse players in the dark events of the West Coast when its coming to PC (Steam) in Q1 2026.