Asleep: Act 1

About Asleep: Act 1

Asleep is a psychological horror adventure by Black Hole Games. Act 1, the first episode of Ana Lúcia's story, came out on Steam in May 2024; Act 2 is now available as DLC.

Ana Lúcia is a lonely and confused girl, lost in her nightmares and immersed in a disturbing reality. With little information and a mind flirting with insanity, you help her work out what is happening, collecting clues in her sketchbook and solving puzzles.

Her flashlight is the centre of play. It lights the way and reveals items and places, and it can attract or avoid enemies: each monster reacts to light in its own way. Staying in the dark too long wears down her sanity, makes her anxious and draws more danger, and her nightmares grow more chaotic. You move between two versions of the world, one darker and more hostile than the other, flee monsters like in classic survival horror, and climb and jump through detailed pixel-art streets, schools and rooms.

The store warns of violence, blood and social themes including mental health, suicide, bullying, prejudice and harassment. It suits players who like 2D horror with a story to piece together, such as Lone Survivor or The Coma.

How to play Asleep: Act 1

1. Explore each scene and point and click on objects to examine them.
2. Keep your flashlight on and use light to find items and new places.
3. Learn how each creature reacts to light, then use it to draw them in or keep them away.
4. Avoid staying in the dark too long, or Ana Lúcia's sanity will fall.
5. Collect clues in the sketchbook and solve puzzles to open new areas.

Tips

• Find spare batteries; the flashlight is your main tool.
• Watch how a new creature reacts to your light before deciding to shine it.
• Get back into light quickly: the longer Ana Lúcia stays in the dark, the worse her nightmare becomes.
• Collect memories and documents for secrets in the story.

Questions