Could This Spooky Irish Co-op Game Be the Next Big Social Deduction Hit?
Could This Co-op Horror Game Be the Next Among Us?
Eyes of Hellfire is an upcoming co-op horror game developed by Dublin-based studio Gambrinous, set to launch on Windows PC in August. The game combines board game and tabletop elements with a spooky atmosphere inspired by Irish urban legends surrounding the Hellfire Club ruins outside Dublin. It’s designed for 3-5 players who must work together to survive, solve puzzles, and face paranormal threats—all while navigating hidden personal agendas that may put friendships to the test.
- Co-op horror with a twist of hidden roles and curses
- Set in a dark, eerie lodge inspired by Irish folklore
- Players balance teamwork and secret objectives
- Unique light and sound mechanics enhance the tension
- Voiced by Liam Cunningham, known from Game of Thrones
- Beta access available from July 30
A Dark Tale Rooted in Irish Legend
The game’s title and setting come from the historical Hellfire Club, a ruin near Dublin famous for its eerie urban myths dating back to the 1700s. Gambrinous’ co-owners, Colm Larkin and Fred Mangan, explain how these legends inspired the game’s atmosphere and story. As Mangan puts it, the Hellfire Club “always had rumor and suspicion of ‘dark happenings’ going on up there,” adding a rich gothic vibe to the game’s narrative.
Friction Co-op Meets Hidden Roles
Eyes of Hellfire blends cooperative gameplay with *hidden role* mechanics reminiscent of classics like Werewolf and modern hits like Among Us. Each player receives a curse card with secret objectives that might conflict with the group’s overall goal. For example, one curse might require a player to get revived multiple times, encouraging risky behavior that could endanger the team.
Colm Larkin describes the gameplay as “friction co-op,” where players must balance collaboration with their own secret agendas. The twist? One curse, called Eyes of Hellfire, lets a player try to guess another’s curse at the end of the game and potentially steal the victory. However, the Eyes player still needs the group to succeed overall.
Gameplay Mechanics and Atmosphere
Players explore a shadowy lodge with only small pools of light, making it necessary to move close to objects to interact with them. This design encourages exploration and heightens tension, as venturing off alone is risky but sometimes necessary. Proximity chat adds to the suspense, allowing players to hear each other only when nearby, with full communication happening during turn-based meetings.
The game’s art style uses black-and-white watercolor with splashes of red to highlight horror elements. Influences range from Gothic novelists like the Shelleys and Bram Stoker to Oscar Wilde’s Dorian Gray, creating a moody and atmospheric experience. According to Larkin, the game is not about jump scares or heavy combat but about a slow-building sense of dread and unease.
Deception and Social Drama Among Friends
Players can steal from each other while reviving teammates, making trust a scarce commodity. The game thrives on suspicion and accusations, which is why it’s designed to be played with real-life friends rather than strangers. Larkin emphasizes that “friends group accusations coming from a history of other games” add a powerful social layer to the experience.
There’s no matchmaking mode, but players can find groups in the #matchmaking channel on Gambrinous’ official Discord server. Lobby codes allow friends to join private games easily.
The Mysterious Host and Mid-Game Deals
Adding to the intrigue, a character called The Host—voiced by Irish actor Liam Cunningham—can offer players a second chance by swapping curses mid-game. However, these deals usually come with team-wide consequences, sparking more finger-pointing and drama.
Get Ready to Play
Eyes of Hellfire is shaping up to be a unique blend of co-op horror and social deduction, perfect for groups of friends who enjoy a slow-burn spooky experience with plenty of twists. If you’re eager to dive in early, you can request beta access here, with the beta going live on July 30.
