First-person Horror Goes Fast and Upwards in White Knuckle, Launching Today in Steam Early Access

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First-person Horror Goes Fast and Upwards in White Knuckle, Launching Today in Steam Early Access

Climb your way out of the silo-like structure; just don’t look down. Quickly, go.

Los Angeles, USA - April 17, 2025 — The race to the top is on—speed-climbing horror roguelite White Knuckle is now available in Steam Early Access. Praised for its fast-paced tension, stimulating challenge, and the heart-pounding fear that something horrible is lurking just behind you, DreadXP’s latest release is a vertical nightmare of precision movement and tight inventory management. Developed by New Mexico-based three-person team



Trapped in the crumbling depths of SUB-STRUCTURE 17, you play as a lone climber fighting to ascend a nightmarish underground compound. Navigate collapsing walls, leap over deadly gaps, and dodge brutal traps, all while evading the monstrous presence lurking and creeping from down below. Precision, speed, and smart resource management are essential—tools can aid your climb, but overpacking will slow you down, and accessing your gear mid-ascent means having to let go of a hand. One wrong move, just one fumbled grab, and it’s a long way down.

As you rise through this decaying vertical labyrinth, you’ll face increasingly treacherous environments and enemies, from the desolate Silos and toxic Pipeworks to the haunted piers of Habitation. Each region brings new threats and greater risks, but also the chance to unlock augmentations during your runs to enhance your abilities and better your odds of surviving the long climb to freedom. In pure roguelite fashion, failing isn’t a threat, it’s a promise. ”We want every run to feel different, and for players to learn more about familiar spaces as much as they are seeing new ones. You WILL fall and die in White Knuckle, and it's fun because the best part of starting over is wondering what routes or places you'll discover in the next attempt.” says Holly Jencka, Lead Developer at Dark Machine Games.

White Knuckle is now available in Steam Early Access for $12.99 USD / €12.79 / £10.99, kicking off with a 10% launch discount. This special introductory price celebrates the start of Early Access, with more content and features on the way. As White Knuckle evolves throughout development, pricing will be adjusted to reflect the game’s expanded scope. A free, highly acclaimed demo is also available for climbers who want to do a quick stretch before going for the run.

For more information:

Wishlist on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3195 ... e_Knuckle/
Visit the official White Knuckle website: https://whiteknuckle.net/
Follow DreadXP on X: https://twitter.com/DreadXPGames
Follow DreadXP on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreadxpgames
Join the White Knuckle Discord: https://discord.gg/f2CqdmUSap
Join the DreadXP Discord: https://discord.gg/JTPfXdSFXq

About Dark Machine Games

Dark Machine Games is a three-person development studio based in New Mexico. The trio has been involved in game development for years, but formed a studio in 2024 with the intent of developing unique, strange, and otherwise enigmatic experiences and titles.

After various prototypes and experiments, the team has landed on White Knuckle to be their first official game as a studio. They look forward to continuing to bring surreal content to players.

About DreadXP

DreadXP is a leading independent horror games publisher. DreadXP’s goal is to seek out and publish great titles, and uplift members of the indie dev community. DreadXP releases include award-winning games such as The Mortuary Assistant, Sucker for Love: First Date, My Friendly Neighborhood, Dread Delusion, and the Dread X Collections, an anthology series of mini-horror games. DreadXP’s upcoming titles include Heartworm, White Knuckle, and Paranormal Activity. DreadXP is a sister company of the horror media website Dread Central, as well as the independent horror film production company, DREAD.

To learn more about DreadXP, please visit www.dreadxp.com.