SOMBRAS: negative frames

SOMBRAS: negative frames is a first-person light horror adventure that blends psychological storytelling with a photography-driven gameplay system, placing players in a distorted mirror world where capturing images becomes essential to survival and self-discovery. Every photograph reveals hidden truths, pushing players deeper into a haunting narrative shaped by identity, trauma, and fractured reality.

Players follow Shiomi Alterio, a Japanese-Spanish photography student who finds herself trapped in a dark and surreal reflection of her hometown. This alternate dimension is filled with familiar yet distorted environments, shadowy entities, and unsettling encounters that represent fragments of her psyche.

The gameplay revolves around capturing unusual sights through a camera, developing film, and using the resulting images to unlock secrets, upgrade equipment, and navigate the environment. Alongside exploration, players must survive hostile encounters, collect mysterious items, and interact with alternate versions of the protagonist to restore a fractured sense of self.

With themes exploring youth, mixed identity, family conflict, and mental health, the experience combines atmospheric horror with emotional storytelling set in a nostalgic early-2000s Japanese town.

Key Features:

Photography-Driven Gameplay
Capture images, develop film, and use photography as a core mechanic for progression and exploration

Psychological Horror Narrative
Experience a story centered on identity, trauma, and fragmented memories

Dark Mirror World
Explore a twisted version of a Japanese town shaped by the protagonist’s inner psyche

Dynamic Encounters
Face shadowy entities, escape threats, and survive unsettling situations

Character Fragment System
Interact with alternate versions of the protagonist to reconstruct her identity

Exploration and Collection
Gather occult trinkets, unlock hidden paths, and discover secrets across environments

Camera Progression System
Upgrade equipment through inspiration gained from captured images

FAQs and Guides:

Q: What type of game is SOMBRAS: negative frames?
A: It is a first-person light horror narrative adventure with a strong focus on photography mechanics and psychological storytelling.

Q: What is the main gameplay mechanic?
A: The core mechanic revolves around taking photographs, developing film, and using the images to progress, solve puzzles, and uncover story elements.

Q: What is the story about?
A: The story follows a photography student trapped in a distorted mirror version of her hometown, where she must confront fragments of her psyche and rebuild her identity.

Q: Does the game focus more on horror or story?
A: It blends light horror with narrative depth, emphasizing atmosphere and emotional themes rather than pure jump scares.