REMOTE CONTROL Looks Like Alien: Isolation if It Was a Retro-Styled Typing Adventure

Why It Matters

By merging text‑based gameplay with atmospheric horror, Remote Control expands the niche of narrative‑driven indie titles and showcases the viability of low‑budget, cross‑platform releases. Its focus on player agency and ethical choices could influence future horror game design.

Key Takeaways

• Typing commands controls human proxies on haunted spaceship
• Permanent death; 12 crew members available per playthrough
• Horror draws from Alien: Isolation and Severance influences
• Retro low‑res graphics emphasize tension and dread
• Launch planned later 2026 on Steam via Proton/Wine

Pulse Analysis

The indie horror scene has seen a resurgence of minimalist design, where atmosphere outweighs graphical fidelity. Remote Control taps into this trend by reviving the text‑adventure paradigm, a format once relegated to early computers, and marrying it to modern horror aesthetics. This hybrid approach appeals to players seeking cerebral challenges and nostalgic visuals, positioning the game as a fresh alternative to mainstream, action‑heavy titles.

Gameplay revolves around typing precise commands to direct a squad of twelve human proxies through a silent, infested spacecraft. Each proxy possesses distinct traits, and their inevitable mortality adds weight to every decision. The developers’ emphasis on “human flaws” – fear, self‑preservation, clumsiness – creates a dynamic tension reminiscent of Alien: Isolation’s relentless dread, while the moral quandaries echo Severance’s dehumanizing workplace horror. This blend of mechanical restraint and psychological pressure deepens immersion, forcing players to balance efficiency with empathy.

From a distribution standpoint, Remote Control’s reliance on Proton and Wine enables seamless Linux support, broadening its potential audience without extra development overhead. Launching on Steam ensures visibility within a massive marketplace, while the low‑budget, retro aesthetic keeps production costs modest. If the title garners positive reception, it could validate text‑driven horror as a viable commercial niche, encouraging other developers to experiment with similar cross‑platform, narrative‑centric experiences.

REMOTE CONTROL looks like Alien: Isolation if it was a retro-styled typing adventure

By Liam Dawe · 5 Feb 2026 at 4:34 pm UTC

REMOTE CONTROL has you send human proxies to explore a derelict spaceship, as you type out your commands and explore it all gets a bit weird and spooky.

The press email said it was “Alien: Isolation meets Severance”, but it’s much more like Alien: Isolation if it were a retro typing‑exploration adventure horror. The developers say it draws on Alien: Isolation for the “sustained dread” and on Severance for the “dehumanizing psychological horror”. Either way, this has definitely grabbed my interest as it looks really interesting.

So what’s the deal here? A deep‑space spacecraft has gone mysteriously silent. With a dead crew and an undocumented incident, it’s your job to send in meat for the grinder to figure out what happened. Issuing commands through your terminal interface with a low‑res camera you have to direct various people around the ship to investigate. They are not 100 % under your control, however, as the developer mentioned:

“Humans have flaws, though, with fear, a desire to live, and being butter‑fingers all getting in the way. However, they are unable to completely resist your commands, even if there is sometimes a little pushback…”.

Trailer

(YouTube video – cookies required to view)

Game Highlights

• How many people does it take to investigate an infested spaceship? 12, apparently: you’ll get 12 attempts to discover the truth. Each vessel (human) has unique qualities and traits which can aid or abet your mission. Just remember, their death is permanent.

• Dark and immersive sci‑fi: Step into a classic space horror. Expect a spacecraft drifting through space, a lack of power supply and lighting, and plenty of blood smeared on walls.

• QWERTY your way to the truth: Every input is via your keyboard as you’ll type “move left” or “turn around” to direct vessels around the ship.

• It’s just an office job: All the death and gore getting a little much? Take a break, step away from the desk and go hang out by the water cooler. There’s definitely nothing unnerving going around the office, either… right?

• Psychological and moral tension: Force compliance from unruly vessels, navigate resistance and try not to get too annoyed when Eugene’s crumby fingers struggle to complete an input on the control panel.

It will release sometime this year.

Platform: ⚛ Proton / Wine

Official links: Steam

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.