Tenebris Somnia: Blood, Pixels, and Prosthetics

Tenebris Somnia, a retro survival horror game with live-action cutscenes, launches on October 16, developed by Andrés Borghi and Saibot Studios and published by New Blood Interactive. The game follows Julia, a woman investigating her ex-boyfriend’s apartment, only to uncover a nightmare world where her darkest fears manifest as real horrors. The narrative unfolds through a mix of pixel-art gameplay and cinematic live-action sequences, blending retro aesthetics with modern filmmaking techniques.

The game’s live-action cutscenes were produced with professional film crews in Buenos Aires, featuring practical effects supervised by Marcos Berta and performances by Clara Kovacic. Production included filming in a 17th-century cathedral, guerrilla shots on a subway at night, and meticulous attention to lighting and camera work. The team emphasized authenticity, avoiding generative AI entirely and relying on practical effects, hand-drawn animation, and human-composed audio.

Tenebris Somnia’s cutscenes are dynamically tied to gameplay, creating unpredictable moments where players may be thrust into combat or emerge from a sequence mid-fight. This design choice heightens tension by eliminating safe moments, ensuring players remain in a state of constant suspense. The integration of film and game mechanics required precise coordination between in-game environments and live-action sets, with silicon masks and prosthetics crafted for performers to maintain realism.

After nearly four years of development, Tenebris Somnia offers a classic survival horror experience featuring monsters, limited resources, puzzles, and boss battles. The game is available on Xbox Series X|S and PC via Xbox Play Anywhere, with no additional cost for cross-platform play. New Blood Interactive underscores its commitment to authenticity, positioning the title as a deliberate alternative to AI-assisted production methods.