PC (Microsoft Windows)2021

Ancra

Ancra is a narrative driven, puzzle-horror game. Explore the home of a dying photographer, and solve puzzles to access new areas. Solve cryptic puzzles, embrace or evade vengeful specters, decide who to trust and unravel a mystery. Encounter strange, conflicting beings and discover a haunting story, piece by piece. Try to understand why you are here, who you are and what role you play in their story.

Storyline

The photographer's house lies empty, its blood still. Before it stands a figure. The house beckons. Lights within flicker to life. Spirits stir at her return. An Ancra is only complete when it is understood. It requires both Vessel and victim. Whose remains shall you cast to flames? The book of the Serpent shall be your guide. And the final page remains unwritten.

Trailers

Screenshots

100

Positive

17 Steam reviews

Review History

Reviews

17 total

≥h

Steam User 5679STEAMRecommended

I have no appropriate words to described how impressed I was by this Game. I didn't expect much - since the golden era of rpgmaker horror games is long gone. Yet there are a few modern hidden gems. This Game is one of them.

May 17, 2025·36h·Verified

Steam User 9039STEAMRecommended

Interesting story, challenging lateral thinking puzzles, item usage that makes sense, cool secrets. Definitely more than worth the $2 I spent on it.

Jan 22, 2025·6h·Verified

Steam User 7925STEAMRecommended

Completely underrated. Excellent, well-polished, atmospheric and eerie. I picked this up completely at random during the RPGMaker horror sale and I'm beyond glad I did. I shall be singing its praises to any who listen (and plenty who don't).

Nov 10, 2024·4h·1·Verified

Steam User 8501STEAMRecommended

I like this game

Sep 28, 2024·7h·Verified

Steam User 6676STEAMRecommended

Интересный и атмосферный квест. Особенно мне понравилась фича с возможностью писать самостоятельно вопросы на клавиатуре и получать ответы.

Oct 19, 2023·5h·1·Verified

Steam User 8870STEAMRecommended

[h2]Recensione di Ancra[/h2]

[h3]Pro:[/h3]
- L'immensa cura riservata al comparto sonoro
- Sommato a quello grafico (altrettanto valido, al netto di alcuni microbugs), il suddetto conferisce al gioco un'atmosfera di tutto rispetto nella sua innegabile natura gotica
- La casualità con cui svariati avvenimenti possono (o meno...) capitare l'arricchisce ancora di più nella sua componente più horrorifica
- L'ottima ricostruzione storica, abbastanza accorta da scansare gran parte degli stereotipi del caso (d'altronde stiamo parlando di un videogioco "made in UK", mica "made in USA"...)
- La marea di simbolismi con cui il tutto viene arricchito nella sua componente più onirica
- La parentesi dedicata alla tavoletta ouija non poteva essere gestita meglio (non vi dico quanto tempo ci ho passato sopra, tanto mi ci stavo divertendo...)
- Elegantissimo storytelling
- Il messaggio di fondo al tutto è stato discretamente affrontato

[h3]Contro:[/h3]
- Il background alla vicenda, e più in generale quanto stia accadendo tra le due case tende di sovente a farsi un po' confuso, specie verso il finale (per carità, credo di averne compreso con assoluta certezza la maggior parte, ma comunque...)
- Alcuni dettagli relativamente incomprensibili (che dovrebbe rappresentare quella specie di cervo rampicante su cui viene spesso spostata l'attenzione?)
- Il personaggio del corvo, per quanto interessante, resta un grosso punto interrogativo
- Diversi passaggi nel gameplay, nonostante l'evidente impegno di base... idem come sopra (ancora non capisco con che criterio si debba dedurre una delle due combinazioni di lettere sotterranee)
- Comandi spesso snervanti (non vi dico quanto ci abbia litigato per riuscire a prendere il vinile...)

[h2]Voto: 7/10 e lode[/h2]

Mar 5, 2023·5h·Verified

Steam User 9630STEAMRecommended

I highly enjoyed this game, and the multiple paths you can take to achieve the same ends. Really well done, and has you wondering. I will say, however, there are a few shortfalls. Some of the logic is a bit out there for the puzzles, and getting the other endings in the game is very difficult and confusing to get at times. And I was never a huge fan of multiple playthroughs of games to get to 'true' endings (when it takes quite a bit of effort).

Still, this is a good game, and worth your time.

Jan 4, 2023·4h·Verified

Steam User 8753STEAMRecommended

Excellent horror hidden gem. Creepy and compelling atmosphere, cryptic story with many mysteries to uncover, intelligent and often original puzzles. Lots of fun for a small price, I really recommend it.

Dec 12, 2022·8h·Verified

Steam User 9693STEAMRecommended

It's an amazing, and very impressive game.

I love the mechanics, the puzzles, the story, all of it unique and outstanding.
The atmosphere and ambiance are wonderful as well, had shivers down my spine, both from fear, and from excitement.
All considering how great this game is, it didn't get much attention, which is not only a shame, but also kinda suprising for how well made it is.

The puzzles can get quite difficult however.
They are not here just to pass time, and that's why they're so great.

This is not the type of game you should play once.
It wants you to replay it, see how things can turn differently, search for secrets you've missed, and come to understand things you didn't before.
Maybe don't over do it like I did lol, but who's to blame when you're having fun.

Nov 6, 2022·39h·3·Verified

Steam User 2148STEAMRecommended

[i]"There is no power in the blood of the dead. Only in the hand that drew it."[/i]

Ancra is an intriguing puzzle horror adventure game with a very innovative gameplay and a gripping plot.

I was pleasantly surprised by this game. I didnt expect at all that I would become so engrossed by such a simple looking game. It really knows how to keep us on our toes with its mysterious story and enigmatic characters. I just felt compelled to keep playing and find out all its secrets.

The horror atmosphere is very well done using ominous sound effects, mild jumpscares and graphical glitches effects.
Breaking the fourth wall aspect is also very well done here and works quite well as it just adds to the puzzling feeling the game tries to convey. And I had never played a game where our choices and progress actually affect/alter older saves content and new playthroughs.

A first playthrough took me about 5 hours, but I had only gotten one achievement then.
Getting all achievements and reaching the true final ending took me a bit more than 16 hours, but I got some help from the dev and other players on the game discord server, so it could take longer.

Let's note that this game was made with rpgmaker but it is not an action game. There is no fighting and the ghosts in the game can be avoided, but interacting with them usually gives you useful (even if cryptic) tips on your progress.

I was very impressed by this game and it is kind of sad the game didnt get more attention. I am really looking forward to see more from this dev in the future!

Nov 3, 2022·17h·6·Verified

Steam User 3056STEAMRecommended

An unsettling, thoughtful occult adventure, with lovely art, writing, puzzles and design. Plenty of secrets for those who wish to plumb its depths. DO remember to save your game, however - I lost an hours progress due to a game crash! I'd love to see more from this team - maybe with a little more marketing...!

Nov 1, 2022·7h·1·Verified

Steam User 9429STEAMRecommended

This game is really well done. It's a love letter to spooky 90s-00s adventure games, Gothic style family secrets in a sprawling old house, and Silent Hill. Consider also glitching reality, dungeons, secret coins, and puzzles. The aesthetic is grim but beautiful, the gameplay and documents nuanced and so clever.

My only feedback is that the animation when using stairs is a little weird, but there aren't that many stairs.

I can't believe I'm only the 6th person who reviewed this game! It's a lot better and less slog-gy than a lot of RPG horror games out there.

Oct 31, 2022·3h·Verified

Steam User 6251STEAMRecommended

Intersting game. Complex puzzle game in the mystery open world.

Apr 3, 2022·2h·Verified

Steam User 7621STEAMRecommended

had a nice relaxing time playing this game. hope for more games.

Dec 25, 2021·11h·Verified

Steam User 6026STEAMRecommended

Excellent horror story and puzzles. I enjoyed the way the more complex puzzles were organic to the story rather than being just puzzles for the sake of puzzles.

Especially enjoyed the metagame puzzles :)

FYI - my hours are little overstated since I left this on my computer one day, but I would say to get all the achievements and the *final* ending would have taken me about 20 hours. Great game!

I'll be looking for more from developer For7s.

Nov 20, 2021·37h·1·Verified

Steam User 7101STEAMRecommended

Unique art style and great sound design. About an hour into the story and I really like it, it's intriguing. The puzzles are not too cryptic, I like the style. The game gives you enough hints on what to do without holding your hand too much.

[spoiler] Thank you for the "save your game!" warning before letting me toss the book into the fireplace! I would have lost quite some progress without the bird's intervention. [/spoiler]

Inventory system reminds me of classic RPGs I played in the early 90s. Fits the game style and adds to the retro charme.

A plus for me personally is the fact that you can pick up every item you find. I don't like games that tell you "You don't need this *right now*" only to let you backtrack half an hour later. Ancra doesn't do that - if you can pick it up, your character will do so.

I have not encountered any bugs, game breakers or wonky controls, which is always a plus. :)

Really looking forward for future projects from this dev.

Nov 12, 2021·1h·2·Verified

Steam User 3528STEAMRecommended

Really cool puzzles, excellent spooky atmosphere! Nice dev as well :)

Nov 9, 2021·8h·Verified