Historical horror is one of the most challenging genres to handle responsibly. When developers mix real-world tragedy with supernatural storytelling, the margin for error becomes very slim. Mortanis Prisoners, created by Honor Games and published by Axyos Games, tries exactly that — placing a survival horror experience within one of history’s darkest settings while layering psychological terror and occult elements over a World War II story.
Originally released on PC in July 2025 and coming to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on 20 February 2026, Mortanis Prisoners is not meant to entertain in a conventional way. Instead, it seeks to unsettle, disturb, and draw players into an oppressive atmosphere where survival feels uncertain and morality weighs heavily.
The result is a deeply unsettling — yet often compelling — horror experience that succeeds more through mood and tension than through mechanical innovation.
Horror Rooted in History
Mortanis Prisoners begins after a failed uprising by prisoners inside a Nazi concentration camp. The regime orders mass executions, and chaos erupts throughout the camp. Amid the violence, the unnamed protagonist survives — only to discover that something far worse than human cruelty has stirred beneath the camp.
From the start, the game establishes an oppressive atmosphere. The environment is bleak, restrained, and deliberately suffocating. Rusted fences, dimly lit barracks, and abandoned corridors are shown without sensationalism. The horror does not depend solely on monsters; it arises from silence, implication, and terror.
The supernatural elements unfold slowly, transforming what initially appears to be a historical escape story into a descent into dark fantasy horror.
Importantly, the game avoids turning its setting into spectacle. Instead, it treats the location as a source of emotional significance — though players should be aware that the subject matter remains extremely heavy and may not be suitable for everyone.
Survival First, Shooter Second
Although marketed as a first-person shooter, Mortanis Prisoners is essentially a survival horror game.
Ammunition is scarce. Inventory space is limited. Every shot counts.
Weapons inspired by WWII firearms feel intentional rather than empowering. Reload animations are sluggish, recoil is substantial, and encounters often penalise reckless aggression. Combat leans more towards desperation than domination.
You quickly learn that shooting your way through problems is rarely viable.
The game instead encourages cautious play:
- Scavenging abandoned areas for supplies.
- Choosing when to fight or flee.
- Conserving ammunition for unavoidable threats.
This design philosophy echoes classic survival horror traditions, where tension comes from vulnerability rather than power fantasy.
Stealth as Survival
Stealth is crucial throughout the campaign. Guards patrol unpredictable routes, and supernatural enemies respond strongly to sound and movement.
Hiding in shadows, listening intently, and timing movements carefully becomes vital. Many sections resemble immersive horror titles more than action shooters, requiring players to observe their environment closely before acting.
Spatial audio on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S greatly improves this experience. Footsteps echo differently depending on their distance and direction, creating real paranoia as unseen threats move nearby.
Some of the game’s most powerful moments happen when nothing occurs — when you’re simply waiting, listening, and unsure if danger is approaching.
Environmental Storytelling and Puzzles
Mortanis Prisoners employs environmental puzzles to ease tension and deepen its storytelling.
These puzzles are rooted in the world rather than purely abstract logic tests.
- Restoring power through damaged facilities.
- Unlocking sealed underground passages.
- Deciphering documents left behind by researchers.
The puzzles rarely interrupt the pacing but instead deepen immersion, revealing fragments of supernatural experiments linked to the camp’s darker secrets.
Storytelling relies heavily on environmental clues — notes, recordings, and visual storytelling — allowing players to piece together events rather than being bombarded with exposition.
This subtle approach works well, reinforcing the slow-burn horror atmosphere.
The Supernatural Shift
As the game progresses, Mortanis Prisoners shifts from historical survival to dark fantasy horror.
Strange entities begin appearing. Reality subtly warps. Underground facilities showcase occult imagery that reinterprets earlier events.
The transition is gradual enough to feel unsettling rather than sudden. What starts as grounded terror gradually becomes psychological horror, blurring the lines between hallucination and reality.
Not every narrative thread lands perfectly — some lore elements feel underexplained — but ambiguity often enhances the experience instead of detracting from it.
The fear here isn’t just physical danger; it’s the uncertainty.
Visual and Audio Presentation
The console release benefits from noticeable technical improvements.
Visuals
- 4K Ultra HD resolution sharpens environmental detail.
- Lighting emphasizes darkness and contrast effectively.
- Textures highlight decay and abandonment rather than spectacle.
The art direction favors realism over stylization, enhancing immersion even if graphical fidelity occasionally shows indie-budget limitations.
Sound Design
Audio is arguably the game’s greatest strength.
- Distant screams echo unnervingly.
- Metallic creaks create constant tension.
- Silence is used as a weapon.
Spatial sound transforms exploration into a sensory experience, making players rely on hearing as much as sight.
Where Mortanis Prisoners Struggles
While atmospheric, the game is not flawless.
Combat Roughness
Gunplay occasionally feels stiff. Enemy reactions can appear inconsistent, and hit detection isn’t always precise.
AI Limitations
Both human guards and creatures sometimes behave predictably, reducing tension during repeated encounters.
Narrative Pacing
The story’s final act accelerates rapidly compared to the slow buildup, leaving certain revelations underdeveloped.
Emotional Weight vs Gameplay Balance
The historical setting creates emotional intensity that may clash with traditional horror mechanics for some players. The experience demands thoughtful engagement rather than casual play.
A Mature Horror Experience
Mortanis Prisoners is explicitly made for mature audiences. Its use of historical tragedy as a backdrop calls for emotional preparedness and respect for the subject matter.
Rather than glorifying violence, the game presents horror as a reflection of human cruelty heightened by supernatural forces. This approach might not appeal to everyone, but it shows clear creative intent.
It’s less about excitement and more about discomfort.
Console Performance
On PS5 and Xbox Series X|S:
- Loading times are fast.
- Performance remains stable.
- Controller support feels well adapted.
- Audio enhancements noticeably elevate tension.
The console version feels like the definitive way to experience the game compared to the original PC launch.
Final Verdict
Mortanis Prisoners is not a game to recommend casually — but it is a memorable experience.
It excels through atmosphere, restraint, and psychological tension rather than spectacle or action. Its combination of historical horror and supernatural storytelling creates moments of genuine dread, even if gameplay mechanics sometimes stumble.
This is horror designed to linger in your mind rather than just frighten you in the moment.
For players prepared to engage with its heavy themes and slower pace, Mortanis Prisoners offers a haunting survival horror experience that sets it apart from mainstream genre entries.
