Introduction
HAUNTMATES is a cooperative horror investigation game developed and published by Infinity Entertainment. Set across multiple haunted landscapes, the game challenges players to enter volatile environments, deploy specialized equipment, and accurately track down paranormal activity. Operating in the first-person perspective, it blends classic ghost-hunting mechanics with unpredictable survival gameplay.
The core concept centers around high-stakes teamwork and tactical execution. Players step into procedurally generated locations to discover the entity’s active zone and gather concrete evidence. Rather than acting entirely independently, the squad must rely on shared tools and constant coordination to successfully deduce the type of presence hiding in the dark before extracting safely.
What helps HAUNTMATES stand out is its compounding difficulty curve and strict penalty system. The game features a dynamic environment where the danger scales continuously over time, meaning players must balance their desire for a higher financial payout with the direct risk of losing everything.

Game Overview
- Developer: Infinity Entertainment
- Publisher: Infinity Entertainment
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Indie
- Platform: PC (Windows)
- Release Date: July 2, 2026
Gameplay
The gameplay of HAUNTMATES focuses heavily on group synergy, investigation, and extraction. Players navigate randomly generated layouts to find the active zone of a supernatural entity. The main objective is to gather sufficient evidence, complete optional side objectives for an increased payout, and name the entity correctly on a shared synchronized board before making a clean escape.
The narrative framework is built purely around mercenary ghost-hunting contracts. To complete these missions, players utilize specialized investigation gear, such as thermometers and flashlights, to locate clues. Progression through a match relies heavily on the team’s ability to communicate. A shared synchronized board logs all uncovered evidence, forcing the squad to reach a mutual consensus on the entity’s identity. Lost Little Things Switch NSP (eShop)
Survival mechanics directly combat the investigation process. Multiple unique monsters, each possessing distinct behaviors and weaknesses, actively stalk the players. The core loop is single-player or up to 4-player co-op. The difficulty rises over time as more monsters spawn across the map, turning a slow investigation into a frantic scramble. If a player dies, they fail the contract entirely, losing all brought gear and accumulated rewards.
Features
- 4-Player Multiplayer supporting both squad play and solo survival
- In-game Proximity Voice Chat that limits communication to nearby players
- Randomly Generated Maps changing the room structures and terrain for every run
- Shared Synchronized Investigation Board for tracking clues and logging evidence collectively
- Unique Monsters featuring customized behaviors, strengths, and specific weaknesses
- Interactive Investigation Gear including flashlights, thermometers, and environmental tools
- Enhanced immersion through detailed first-person hands and object animations
- Custom Audio Settings including stereo sound and surround sound options
- Full Controller Support
- Steam Achievements and Family Sharing compatibility

Game Analysis
The design philosophy behind HAUNTMATES emphasizes forced vulnerability and strict tactical accountability. By incorporating proximity voice chat, the developers strip away the safety net of constant global communication. Players who wander too far from their squad are entirely cut off from audio assistance, matching the thematic isolation of a horror setting. The procedural generation of maps ensures that progression cannot be achieved by memorizing layouts, pushing teams to rely purely on situational awareness and mechanical adaptations during every match.
The progression system within each contract relies on a strict risk-and-reward evaluation. While completing extra side objectives maximizes financial payouts, the systemic spawning mechanic acts as a soft timer. The longer an investigation drags on, the more saturated the map becomes with hostile entities, directly jeopardizing the players’ inventory. Clarity The Seven Demons of Vanguardia Switch NSP [Update] (eShop)
Replayability is officially driven by the procedural nature of the environments and variations in monster behavior. Because the environment shifts and different entities require distinct handling methods, the tactical landscape changes from run to run. The game’s reliance on player-driven communication models guarantees that every cooperative session behaves differently based entirely on how well the squad coordinates under pressure.
Pros
- Highly replayable missions due to randomized terrain and changing layouts
- Strong environmental tension facilitated by proximity-based audio design
- High-stakes mechanics where item loss adds genuine weight to survival choices
Cons
- Punishing mechanics where a single death strips away all gear and rewards
- Solo play bypasses the cooperative proximity voice chat features designed as a central experience
- Launches with a specific focus on core contract maps before future expansions
System Requirements
Minimum
- OS: Windows 10 / 11 (64-bit)
- Processor: Intel Core i5-7400 @ 3.00GHz / AMD Ryzen 3 1200
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti / AMD Radeon RX 570
- DirectX: Version 11
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Storage: 4 GB available space
Recommended
- OS: Windows 10 / 11 (64-bit)
- Processor: Intel Core i5-10400F / AMD Ryzen 5 3600
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 / AMD Radeon RX 5700
- DirectX: Version 11
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Storage: 4 GB available space

Similar Games
- Phasmophobia
- Lethal Company
- Demonologist
- Forewarned
FAQs
Q1: What type of game is HAUNTMATES?
It is a cooperative first-person horror investigation game focused on gathering clues, managing equipment, and identifying supernatural entities.
Q2: Does the game support single-player mode?
Yes, the game officially supports single-player mode alongside its core 4-player online co-op multiplayer.
Q3: How does proximity voice chat affect the gameplay?
Proximity voice chat requires teammates to remain physically close to one another in-game, as sound will not travel to players who wander too far away.
Q4: What is the penalty for dying in HAUNTMATES?
If you die during a mission, you fail the current contract entirely and lose all the equipment you brought with you as well as your payout.
Q5: Are the maps always the same?
No, the game features randomly generated maps, meaning the layouts and terrain alter every time you start a new match.
Q6: How does the shared investigation board function?
The shared board is fully synchronized across the team, letting everyone log gathered evidence and vote on the final identity of the entity together.
Q7: Does the difficulty change during a mission?
Yes, the longer you spend inside a location, the harder the game gets as additional monsters continuously begin to spawn across the map.
Q8: Does HAUNTMATES feature full controller support?
Yes, the game officially launches with full controller support on PC.
Q9: When is the official release date for the game?
The official planned release date listed for the game is July 2, 2026.
Should You Play It?
HAUNTMATES is beginner-friendly for veterans of the co-op horror genre, though its strict item-loss system creates a steeper learning curve for casual players. The game is tailored specifically for coordinated groups, tactical players, and fans of cooperative survival horror who enjoy high-intensity communication mechanics.
it is well worth playing if you enjoy tactical multiplayer games where actions carry real consequences. The reliance on procedural generation and proximity audio ensures a highly immersive environment that values teamwork over independent power scaling, making it an excellent addition for horror-seeking squads.
Conclusion
HAUNTMATES delivers a highly atmospheric, team-centric horror experience by successfully tying investigation mechanics directly to a player’s survival. What makes it unique is its reliance on procedural terrain, localized proximity voice chat, and an escalating threat level that punishes slow-moving groups. For players seeking a punishing, high-stakes multiplayer investigation game where clear communication is the only path to safety, HAUNTMATES presents an engaging and terrifying challenge.

