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June 23, 2026
An editorial look at one of 2026’s most distinctive indie games — and the duo of indie developers behind it.
A Cartoon Nightmare With a Pulse
There’s a special corner of the indie games scene where creativity gets weird, physics gets unhinged, and horror stops taking itself so seriously. Ghoul Fright , the upcoming first‑person survival beat ’em up from Atrax Studios, lives exactly in that space. A late‑90s‑meets‑2000s cartoon fever dream where ghouls swarm, furniture flies, and the smartest move is often the dumbest one.
“The most fun thing you can do and the smartest thing you can do are usually the same thing; pick up the heaviest object in the room and throw it at a ghoul,” says developer Dennis Martinez Molina (DS Nahogara)
This is indie game development at its most expressive: bold, chaotic, and unmistakably handcrafted.
What Ghoul Fright Actually Is
At its core, Ghoul Fright is a physics‑based first‑person survival beat ’em up set inside a haunted mansion overflowing with grotesque, cartoon‑styled monsters. It blends arcade immediacy with slapstick destruction, letting players punch, block, grab, smash, and weaponize the environment in increasingly absurd ways.
It’s the kind of indie game that stands out instantly. Not because it’s trying to be the next big AAA horror title, but because it embraces personality over polish, chaos over convention, and creativity over caution.
Ghoul Fright gameplay screenshot
Inside the Steam Demo
The free Steam demo introduces players to the game’s core fantasy: survive escalating waves of ghouls using your fists, improvised weapons, and anything in the room that isn’t nailed down . The tone is pure cartoon horror; grotesque, funny, frantic, and nostalgic.
The demo currently includes:
- Wave‑based survival structure
- Bare-knuckle combat
- Throwable props and physics‑driven destruction
- A haunted mansion arena
- A cursed, dark‑comedy atmosphere
- Single‑player mode (co‑op coming soon)
It’s a tight vertical slice of what Atrax Studios is building, and a strong showcase of their indie game marketing direction: show the chaos, let players feel it, and let the physics speak for themselves.
Combat: Where Strategy Meets Stupidity (In the Best Way)
The combat in Ghoul Fright is intentionally messy, but cleverly designed. Every punch has weight, every object has momentum, and every ghoul reacts with exaggerated cartoon violence. It’s a physics playground disguised as a survival game.
This is where the game’s identity shines. It’s not about perfect combos or frame‑perfect timing. It’s about creative problem‑solving through environmental mayhem , a design philosophy that feels refreshingly different in today’s indie games landscape.
Meet the Indie Developers Behind the Madness
Atrax Studios is powered by two complementary forces: Jaime Valls Vigil and Dennis Martinez Molina (DS Nahogara), a duo whose creative chemistry is the backbone of the project.
Jaime Valls Vigil: The Designer With Structure and Vision
A Senior/Lead Game Designer with over a decade of experience across PC, console, VR, AR, and mobile, Jaime brings clarity, systems thinking, and player‑focused design. His background includes work with Aardman, Coatsink, Oculus, Universal, PIXELYNX, and more.
He’s the architect. The one who shapes the experience so it feels meaningful, elegant, and cohesive.
Dennis Martinez Molina (DS Nahogara): The Indie Developer With Chaos in His DNA
Dennis is a veteran indie developer known for cartoon horror, physics sandboxes, and experimental survival games. His work has been featured by major creators like Markiplier, and his catalog spans Steam, itch.io, and browser games.
He’s the spark. The one who makes the game move, scream, break, and surprise.
Together, they form one of the most interesting indie developer duos in the current game development scene.
Ghoul Fright devs
The Roadmap: Demo → Early Access → Full Release
Atrax Studios has a clear, production‑minded roadmap:
Demo Phase (Now)
- 10-wave structure
- Light progression
- Improved final scene
- Co-op support
- Steam Next Fest readiness
Early Access (Target: Summer 2026)
- Up to 4-player multiplayer
- More enemies, bosses, and content
- Deeper progression systems
- Up to 4 playable heroes
- Persistent rewards and a proper hub
Full Release
- More modes
- More characters
- Long-term progression
- Stronger multiplayer structure
- Expanded replayability
This is indie game development done right: build the foundation, polish the demo, then scale.
Why Influencers & Media Should Pay Attention
Ghoul Fright is built for shareability. The physics chaos, the cartoon horror tone, the unpredictable combat. It all translates perfectly to short‑form content, livestream reactions, and gameplay commentary.
For influencers, it’s a goldmine of:
- “What just happened?” moments
- Slapstick physics fails
- High-energy wave survival
- Co-op chaos (coming soon)
For gaming outlets, it’s a standout indie game with a strong identity, a clear vision, and a team with real pedigree.
Ghoul Fright gameplay screenshot 2
Call to Action: Work With IndiePump, the Team Behind Ghoul Fright’s Marketing Push
While Atrax Studios focuses on building the chaotic world of Ghoul Fright , the marketing engine behind the game is powered by IndiePump, a dedicated indie game marketing agency helping studios bring their projects to players, press, and creators worldwide.
IndiePump is actively collaborating with:
- Influencers looking for fresh, high‑energy indie games to showcase
- Media outlets seeking standout stories from the indie development scene
- Game developers who want expert support in promoting their own titles
Whether you want to cover Ghoul Fright , request a creator key, or explore long‑term marketing collaboration for your own game, IndiePump is the team to talk to.
📧 For Ghoul Fright–specific press & creator requests: [email protected] and check out their website!
IndiePump handles influencer outreach, media relations, campaign strategy, and full-stack indie game marketing, helping studios like Atrax build visibility, momentum, and community.
Work with IndiePump
Request a creator key
Final Thoughts
Ghoul Fright isn’t trying to imitate anything. It’s carving out its own space — a loud, chaotic, cartoon‑horror survival game built with the kind of personality only indie developers can deliver. With a polished demo, a clear roadmap, and a duo of creators who understand both structure and madness, it’s shaping up to be one of 2026’s most distinctive indie releases.
