Pyromaniac is probably the best demo for a game I’ve played in a while. Touted as the successor to “Cry of Fear” Pyromaniac has a gritty melancholic feel which is a great starting point for psychological horror. I discovered and downloaded the demo for Pyromaniac from itch.io. After playing the demo a couple of times I knew I needed to reach for my wallet and purchase the game for the unbelievable 40% off sale price of $2.99! I think $5.99 is the full price but the itch.io/indie developer relationship keeps prices surprisingly reasonable plus it’s a good place to go if you like to consume short form or longer form horror based games like Pyromaniac. Additionally it’s October of 2025 and I think there was a Halloween discount during the month. The chapter 1 demo alone was worth at least $2.99 just for the experience and hook. With the purchase of the game I look forward to the next 4 chapters to discover how the story develops.
The independent developer tayoDEV created the demo and game. You can reach the developers page and download the chapter 1 demo as well as purchase the game at the following link:
Pyromaniac’s game graphics are unique. I see Unity assets listed in the credits but the game aesthetics are distinctive and the overall look seem to be uniquely created for Pyromaniac. It’s a first person viewpoint game with standard WASD and mouse controls plus ‘E’ for selecting items as well as ‘TAB’ for a very polished inventory and item selection screen. The first chapter finds me searching an area reminiscent of government “subsisted” or “facilitated” housing, things you’d expect to see in a “persistence” community and if you’ve ever experienced such, it’s truly depressing. You search through back alleys and parking lots to discover the building you need to get into. Once you discover which building you need to enter, how are you going to get through the locked front door? It’s at this point I took some time to wander the environment and marvel at the ultra smooth gameplay. Make sure to search area’s thoroughly, the way in “could” be closer than you think. Those of you with potatoes for a computer like mine (Intel Generation 3 i5 processor with an Invidia 1030 graphics card) will be happy to know the game runs flawlessly. Another nice surprise is that demo is not exactly the first level of the game. It’s about 90% the same but for those who purchase the game you’ll get that extra value of a bit more extended first level.
The intro and cut screens are professional looking and tightly integrated into the essence of Pyromaniac. From start screen to game mechanics Pyromaniac makes me wonder about the unique challenges the developer went through from initial vision to the game to give it such special look. Pyromaniac feels like a game that was developed with close coordination between developer and story elements into what ultimately is a tightly integrated (and fun) gaming product. Plus, if you take that extra step of putting yourself in the protagonists shoes, the immersion will facilitate putting the ‘psychological’ into the horror. tayoDEV might be a developer to keep your eye on.
Play as Nikolas, a 20-year-old guy who found himself lost in a completely abandoned city… or so he thought it was at first.
Explore the city, defend yourself from monsters, and find answers to what is really going on.
itch.io Synopsis
If you’re into horror games in general, download the free demo and check it out. I’m currently taking it slowly through the game. I’ll comment below as I finish off the levels and give my thoughts or I may do a follow-up article after I complete the two endings.
I’m taking it slow and got through most of Chapter 2 so far. I don’t see an issue with weapons or combat. The baddies can be timed, you can melee, or you can run away as you take damage and you will automatically heal as a function of time as well, I’ve noticed. I think I’m in the second part of of Chapter 2 at the moment. That sewer area was a challenging enough maze to backpedal through and I think it took me maybe 3 times getting lost or ending up at the end of where I didn’t want to be but I eventually made it. I’ll finish up the end of Chapter 2 tonight or tomorrow and start Chapter 3 soon. I’m enjoying the game all around. I got killed by that stronger enemy that rushes you in the second part of Chapter 2 but it was at a save boundary so was a good place to stop after the workout of the sewer maze. The only teeny tiny small complaint I might have is not being able to turn off lighter without going to inventory but it’s purely aesthetic and the fact the gas doesn’t run out (yet) makes the issue lesser. I’m sure it was programmed like that for game mechanics so it felt normal. It’s super convenient to switch between items and functions in the inventory screen and the ultra fast gaming interface allows you to pace the game as you see fit, with occasional stamina breaks, which also can be used strategically, so there’s that.