The independent studio Howling Hamster Entertainment announced the release of a demo for Sub-Species, its upcoming 2.5D action-adventure game set beneath Earth’s oceans after a devastating alien outbreak. The demo is now available on PC via Steam and offers a first hands-on look at a concept that combines exploration, rising tension, and 360-degree submarine movement.

The test version allows players to take control of a heavily armed submarine capable of rotating freely in all directions while traveling through claustrophobic caverns, abandoned structures, and zones infested with hostile creatures. Navigation requires constant awareness of the surrounding space, since reading the environment becomes essential for surviving in areas with limited visibility.

Combat is shaped by factors such as positioning, momentum, and anticipation of enemy movements, moving away from encounters based solely on overwhelming numbers. Each confrontation reinforces the need to adapt under pressure, valuing quick decisions and mastery of the three-dimensional space.

The demo also introduces the game’s universe through careful environmental storytelling, built from the scenarios, objectives, and exploration. Instead of long direct explanations, the narrative is suggested in fragments, inviting the player to piece together the mystery hidden in the depths.

Creative Director Manus Burke explained the intention behind the experience by stating: "We wanted the demo to feel like a complete experience, not just a tutorial," said Creative Director Manus Burke. The goal is for the player to feel the weight of the submarine, the tension of hostile spaces, and the way every direction influences combat.

He then adds: "It's designed to let players feel the weight of the submarine, the tension of navigating hostile spaces, and how combat unfolds when every direction matters.

By the end, you should have a real sense of what Sub-Species is about - and why going deeper is both tempting and dangerous." The statement reinforces the search for a complete experience even in a demo version.

Inspired by titles such as Sub-Terrania and Ecco the Dolphin, as well as cinematic deep-sea science fiction, the project blends retro-inspired precision with a modern, immersive atmosphere. This combination results in a distinctive identity that values both gameplay and a constant sense of isolation and danger.

Among the main features presented are two full levels forming a vertical slice lasting 25 to 40 minutes, progression from movement to combat, environmental interaction through salvaging wrecks and moving objects, and an atmosphere-driven narrative. Together, these elements establish the foundations for an adventure that promises to explore, in depth, the mysteries hidden beneath the ocean’s surface.