Trapped on a Train: Lovecraftian Horror Meets Snowpiercer in Dreadline Express

Imagine waking up with a pounding headache, only to hear a chilling announcement echoing through the train car: “With immediate effect, free movement on the train is forbidden. We’ve been spotted again.” You stumble to your feet, disoriented, and peer out the window, only to be met by a writhing mass of tentacles clinging to the glass. This isn’t just a nightmare; it’s the opening scene of Dreadline Express, the debut title from solo developer David Konecny, which I had the chance to experience at Gamescom 2026.

A Train Like No Other

The immediate comparison that leaps to mind is Snowpiercer, a film that popularized the concept of humanity confined to a single train traversing a frozen Earth. What’s fascinating is that Konecny, during development, hadn’t even heard of Snowpiercer! While Bong Joon-ho’s masterpiece (and its source material, Le Transperceneige) was set in an ice age, the world of Dreadline Express has been overrun by something far more sinister: Lovecraft-esque horrors.

Having previously played Saros, another title where madness slowly consumes your crew, I recognized a similar descent into psychological torment. When you eventually leave your room in Dreadline Express, you’re confronted with other passengers seemingly succumbing to the same unsettling fate. The PSX-era aesthetic choices only amplify the game’s chilling atmosphere.

Dreadline Express is a masterclass in psychological horror. It’s not about cheap jump scares; it’s about the creeping dread and unease that permeates every inch of the train. But this isn’t just a linear experience; cards represent clues and knowledge, and interacting with the world unlocks new possibilities.

A glimpse into the unsettling environment of Dreadline Express.

Konecny explained that most “puzzles” have multiple solutions. For example, a young man is rocking back and forth in the train corridor, driven to the brink of insanity by an “unbearable noise.” I discovered that I am an apothecary, thanks to cracking a combination lock on a case in my carriage.

The conductor's hands through a slot in a door in Dreadline Express.

The protagonist’s journey through the claustrophobic corridors of the train.

Using a card obtained by speaking to the man, whose name is Euler, I returned to the case and collected some laudanum. This can be used to ease Euler’s pain and gather more information from him. However, Konecny revealed that the laudanum has multiple uses, and solving Euler’s problem has more than one solution.

A piece of paper beneath a clock on a wall in Dreadline Express.

The intricate card system allows for multiple approaches to each encounter.

My time with Dreadline Express culminated in a difficult decision: which passenger do I sacrifice to the supreme engineer? Before making my choice, I had to gather as much information as possible about the four individuals available, using the cards I’d collected to probe and persist in dialogue. After just 20 minutes playing as Samuel Mather, this decision already felt like a crushing weight.

The player must make difficult choices with far-reaching consequences.

Dreadline Express is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing hidden gems of 2026. With its unique blend of Lovecraftian horror, a compelling narrative, and multiple solutions to each challenge, it’s a game that will stay with you long after the credits roll.