Indie game publishing studio ParasGames and developer PlayMud Studio have announced that the demo for Pass the Fear will launch on Steam on February 23, ahead of its appearance at the upcoming Steam Next Fest. The release marks the public’s first opportunity to experience the intense roguelite bullet-hell that challenges players to escape before dawn.

Described as "PASS THE FEAR is the roguelite bullet-hell shooter where you must find a way to escape before dawn breaks. Unleash the wildest projectile patterns and screen-shattering damage to crush every enemy standing in your way!", the title leans heavily into chaotic and explosive combat. Relentless waves of bullets dominate the screen while unpredictable item combinations transform each run into a spectacle of destruction.

The story begins when a catastrophic Witch's Disaster strikes the island without warning. Chaotic magic summons towering waves and raging tempests that completely surround the land. Inside this impenetrable barrier, nothing goes in and nothing gets out, and dark energy spreads to every living creature, turning them into grotesque monsters.

In this hellish scenario, players take on the role of a demon hunter trapped within the cursed island. The objective is clear: escape before dawn breaks, as the environment steadily transforms into a living nightmare consumed by uncontrolled magic and increasingly deadly threats.

Unlike traditional roguelites that rely on endlessly stacking raw stats, the game focuses on crafting strategic builds tailored to each player’s style. With a limited pool of items, combinations require careful planning and create unique synergies, reminiscent of tactical card-based systems, especially for those familiar with Hearthstone Battlegrounds.

With no fixed meta, players can combine traits, modifiers, and affixes to create devastating combos and even trigger chaotic chain reactions. The system encourages constant experimentation, allowing each attempt to reveal new possibilities and surprising interactions.

Key highlights include four playable characters, 30 weapons and parts, more than 170 relics, and 22 Tarot cards, along with the option to play solo or in co-op mode. Progression also promises deeper character talents and squad perks, guiding players further into the mysterious island as they uncover the truth behind the supernatural disaster.