Underward review

Title: underward

Developer & Publisher: intense Co., Ltd

Platform: PC only for now

Release Date: 5th February

Genre: exploration horror

Paid or Free? - $7.99 (I was gifted a key)

Where to Play: steam

💀 My Rating (Out of 10)

⭐ 8/10

🕹️ Game Description

Quick synopsis of the story 🏚️

"UNDERWARD" is a multiplayer horror exploration game for 1 to 4 players, featuring a perma-death system.

As investigators, players follow agency directives to locate and retrieve various experimental objects stored in culture capsules. To progress, they must transport these objects to the elevator and meet the required collection quota.

Set in a randomly generated, abandoned underground hospital, the environment is filled with lurking dangers, including roaming monster nurses and deadly traps. Players can utilize items found during their exploration, collaborate with teammates or even leave them behind to venture deeper into the unknown.

Main gameplay mechanics 🎭

Key Features

Co-op Horror Exploration – Play solo or team up with up to 4 players.

Proximity Voice Chat – Communicate with teammates, but only if they're close enough to hear.

Ever-Changing Labyrinth – Navigate a randomly generated, eerie underground hospital with bizarre, unsettling sections.

Terrifying Enemies – Beware of seductive yet deadly nurse monsters.

Relentless Pursuer – A powerful entity is unleashed over time, making escape even more challenging.

Objective-Based Gameplay – Retrieve culture capsules containing experimental creatures to progress.

Risk vs. Reward System – Exchange collected items for randomized supplies (gacha-style rewards).

Fast-Paced Transport – Use a connected system to move quickly as a group.

Persistent Inventory – Carry useful items to the next floor to aid in survival.

High-Stakes Survival – If your entire team is wiped out, all progress is lost. How deep can you go?

🎥 Viewer Opinions

Comments from myTikTok stream 🎤

My TikTok chat was losing it over UNDERWARD. The randomized hospital kept everyone on edge, the sexy nurse monsters were more nightmare than fantasy, and the proximity chat made every separation terrifying. Viewers loved the high-stakes teamwork (or betrayals) but hated the brutal traps and perma-death system. The relentless pursuer had everyone panicking, and the chaos had people crying from both fear and laughter. Final verdict?

👁️ My Thoughts

What I loved 🖤

The randomized hospital keeps every run unpredictable, and the proximity chat makes teamwork intense especially when panic sets in. The nurse monsters are pure nightmare fuel, and when the relentless pursuer appears, it’s absolute chaos. The high-stakes survival and betrayal moments had me and my chat screaming, making for some of the best horror co-op experiences I’ve had.

What didn’t work for me ❌

The traps feel unfair, sometimes killing you with no warning. The inventory system can be clunky in the middle of the action. And dying and losing everything only to go back to square one is a bit frustrating.

🔧 What I’d Add/Change

First off, I’d tweak the trap system to give players more of a fighting chance. I’d add a little bit of progress retention, even if it’s just unlocking new items or giving a small advantage when you respawn. These changes would make the game less punishing and more fun, without losing that high-stakes feel.

Potential updates/DLC hopes 📢

Absolutely all for it and maybe a battle pass

🔗 Where to Get It

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3025290/UNDERWARD/