Hollow Home, an upcoming narrative survival RPG inspired by Disco Elysium and This War of Mine, will launch on Steam on January 27, 2027. Ukrainian independent developer Twigames and German publisher Crunchy Leaf Games announced the release date on October 14, 2026, introducing players to a story about surviving war without weapons or traditional combat.
The game follows Maksym, a 14-year-old boy left alone in a city under siege. Inspired by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the siege of Mariupol, Hollow Home explores the consequences of war through everyday struggles, human relationships, and difficult decisions.
Rather than fighting enemies, players must navigate a world where conversations can influence relationships and determine what happens next. Every decision carries consequences, forcing Maksym to choose whom to trust, what to sacrifice, and how to survive another day.
The story begins on what appears to be an ordinary day, 24 hours before the invasion. When Maksym wakes up the following morning, his familiar world has been transformed. A free demo of Hollow Home is already available on Steam, allowing players to experience its narrative-focused gameplay ahead of launch.
HOLLOW HOME FOCUSES ON SURVIVAL WITHOUT COMBAT
Unlike conventional survival RPGs, Hollow Home removes weapons and battles from its core gameplay. Instead, players must rely on dialogue, relationships, and moral decisions to navigate the challenges facing Maksym.
The game features branching quests and multiple endings shaped by player choices. Conversations can alter relationships and influence the direction of the story, making each interaction an important part of the survival experience.
Players will also explore three districts that change as the siege progresses. These environments reflect the evolving circumstances of a city affected by war, placing greater emphasis on the human cost of conflict than traditional action gameplay.
UKRAINIAN STUDIO DEVELOPED HOLLOW HOME DURING THE WAR
Twigames began developing Hollow Home in spring 2022, shortly after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Kyiv-based studio researched the experiences of people who survived the siege to bring the story closer to the realities faced by ordinary families.
“We kept going because we want people around the world to see what this war means for ordinary families who stay in their city and try to get through one more day,”
said Twigames founder Valerii Minenko.
The project received Kickstarter funding in August 2026, reaching 140% of its goal with support from 558 backers.
Founded in 2015, Twigames is developing its first original game with Hollow Home. Berlin-based Crunchy Leaf Games is publishing the project.
Hollow Home launches on Steam on January 27, 2027. Players can try the free demo and follow development updates through the game’s Steam page.
With its focus on human connections, branching narratives, and the civilian experience of war, Hollow Home aims to offer a survival story built around difficult choices rather than combat.
