Betrayal and Candelabras: The First Blumhouse Co-op Horror Game is a Gothic Mystery

In a world where co-op horror games have become a dominant force, from the comedic frights of Lethal Company to the tension-filled teamwork of Phasmophobia, a new contender has entered the ring. Blumhouse Games, the video game division of the legendary horror film studio, has just launched its first co-op multiplayer title, Eyes of Hellfire, into early access. And it’s an experience that feels like a uniquely unsettling blend of macabre musical drama and classic British whodunnit.

Developed by the Dublin-based studio Gambrinous, Eyes of Hellfire places up to five players in the abandoned, haunted lodge of the Hellfire Club, a legendary secret society from Irish folklore. Your mission is to escape, but the path is not a simple one. The game is less about running from jump scares and more about unraveling a dark mystery, all while contending with the supernatural forces at play and, perhaps more terrifyingly, the hidden agendas of your friends.

A Macabre Blend of Genres

The initial pitch for Eyes of Hellfire has been described as a mash-up of the rock opera REPO! The Genetic Opera and a gothic Agatha Christie novel. This bizarre comparison speaks to the game’s core loop. Like REPO!, there’s a certain theatricality and a dark, stylish aesthetic to the horror. The game uses a card-based system to dictate your actions, and you’ll encounter a mysterious Host who offers help but seems to have his own sinister goals. The “Agatha Christie” element comes into play with the game’s emphasis on trust and betrayal. Each player is burdened with a unique curse that they must break to escape, but some of these curses may require you to betray your allies, creating a moral dilemma that can fracture even the most solid of friendships.

The game’s reliance on teamwork is essential for survival, with players needing to explore, solve puzzles, and fight off violent entities. Proximity chat further enhances the immersive, tense atmosphere, forcing you to stay close to your teammates while also providing the perfect opportunity for whispers and lies. This is a game where the biggest threat might not be the monsters in the shadows, but the person standing next to you.

The Early Access Roadmap and Friend’s Pass

Eyes of Hellfire launched into early access on August 27, 2025, with one full scenario and five playable characters. The developers at Gambrinous have stated that they plan to keep the game in early access for approximately 12-18 months to gather community feedback and add new content. The early access roadmap promises new scenarios, additional characters, cards, and gameplay features, suggesting a long-term commitment to the game’s evolution.

One of the most notable features of the early access launch is the inclusion of a Steam Friend’s Pass. This ingenious feature allows one player who purchases the game to invite up to four friends to play for free. While the free players won’t have access to meta progression or customization options, this model makes it incredibly easy for a group of friends to jump in and experience the horror together, fostering a larger community and ensuring a healthy player base from the start. This approach aligns perfectly with Blumhouse’s mission to publish low-budget, high-concept games that can find a wide audience.

A New Era for Blumhouse Games

Eyes of Hellfire is a major step for Blumhouse Games as it seeks to replicate the success of its film studio in the video game world. By focusing on original, indie projects with strong concepts, Blumhouse is poised to become a significant player in the horror gaming market. With its atmospheric gothic horror, clever mix of cooperative and deceptive gameplay, and a generous Friend’s Pass system, Eyes of Hellfire has the potential to become the next breakout hit in the genre, proving that the most chilling stories are often the ones you share with a friend.