
"The Black Within is a single-player first-person psychological horror game that takes players on a chilling journey into the depths of the human psyche. When selling her soul for fame and fortune, Laila Rose faces the consequences of her actions. A tale where greed, fear, and change intertwine.
Modeled estimate, not a reported figure. How we estimate →
Discounts
Every price cut of more than 20% we have observed, in each market that quoted one, with this game's chart position on either side of it. These are episodes, not a model: a sale is one event, and one event cannot tell you what the next one will do.
Reviews, worldwide (the counter carries no country): 0.14/day in the week to Aug 27 → 0.14/day in the week after.
For scale, across Steam · Top Sellers · Brazil over the last 30 days: the 26 chart moves that followed a price cut of more than 20% went a median of 7 places towards #1, and the 2,400 moves with no price cut behind them went 2 away. One store, one chart, one country — it is the only place we have enough observations to say even that.
Prices outside the United States have been collected since 6 August 2026 and chart positions since 19 July 2026, so a cut older than that has no market to compare and a market that joined later has no history yet. Nothing here is converted between currencies.
About
Genres
Sums Steam only; PlayStation, GOG, Epic publish no volume signal, so the true total is higher by an unknown amount.
| Store | Price | Audience | Score | Chart | Est. revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SteamYou are here | $4.99 | 130reviews | 88% | — | $8K |
| $7.99 | 145ratings | 66% | — | not modelled | |
Engagement
Reviews
Themes across 45 recent reviews and how positive each mention is. A keyword signal, not full sentiment analysis.
Reviews
The Black Within is a first-person psychological horror experience developed and published by waleedzo that centers on atmosphere, introspection, and narrative consequence rather than traditional survival mechanics. The game follows Laila Rose, a struggling musician whose desperation for recognition leads her to make a life-altering decision. Set in 2007, the story explores the fallout of that decision as Laila’s world gradually fractures into something darker and more surreal. Rather than presenting horror as an external force alone, the game frames it as a manifestation of personal regret, ambition, and internal conflict, giving the experience a thematic focus that goes beyond surface-level scares. Gameplay is built primarily around exploration and environmental storytelling. Players navigate through dimly lit spaces, abandoned interiors, and increasingly distorted environments that reflect Laila’s psychological descent. Interaction is minimalistic but purposeful, with objects and locations serving as narrative anchors that reveal fragments of backstory. Light puzzle elements are introduced to maintain engagement, but they never dominate the experience. Instead, the pacing remains deliberate, encouraging players to absorb the atmosphere and reflect on the unfolding story. The horror design leans toward subtlety. Instead of relying heavily on jump scares or constant threats, the game cultivates unease through sound design, lighting, and environmental shifts. Ambient noises, distant echoes, and subtle changes in surroundings create tension without overwhelming the player. Occasional supernatural occurrences punctuate the quieter moments, but the emphasis remains on psychological discomfort rather than adrenaline-driven fear. This approach makes the game feel closer to a narrative-driven walking simulator infused with horror elements rather than a traditional survival horror title. Visually, The Black Within uses shadow-heavy environments and muted color palettes to reinforce its somber tone. The spaces you traverse are designed to feel personal and symbolic rather than expansive. Distortions in architecture and lighting gradually intensify as the narrative progresses, mirroring Laila’s emotional state. While the production values reflect its indie scope, the focused art direction helps maintain immersion. The minimalism of the environments enhances the sense of isolation, keeping attention centered on the protagonist’s internal journey. Narrative delivery is one of the game’s strongest components. Through voice acting and carefully structured exposition, Laila’s story unfolds in layers. Themes of ambition, regret, identity, and consequence are woven throughout the experience, grounding the supernatural elements in emotional reality. The script aims to explore the cost of chasing dreams at the expense of integrity, giving the horror a personal dimension. Though the overall runtime is relatively brief, the compact format allows the story to maintain coherence and intensity without unnecessary filler. The pacing may not appeal to players expecting constant action or escalating threats. The slow-burn approach demands patience, as much of the tension builds gradually. Those seeking more traditional horror mechanics—such as resource management or enemy evasion—may find the experience restrained. However, for players drawn to atmospheric storytelling and introspective themes, the focused narrative structure becomes a strength rather than a limitation. Ultimately, The Black Within offers a compact psychological horror journey that prioritizes mood and character development over spectacle. Its emphasis on internal struggle and narrative consequence sets it apart from more conventional horror games. While modest in scope, it succeeds in crafting an immersive and reflective experience that lingers beyond its short runtime. For players who appreciate story-driven horror grounded in emotional themes, it delivers a thoughtful and haunting exploration of ambition’s darker side. Rating: 8/10
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Stats
All-time low is the lowest price we've recorded for this game since we started tracking it.
Languages: English**languages with full audio support
| $0.49−95% |
| 21ratings |
| 64% |
| — |
| not modelled |
| $4.99 | — | — | — | not modelled |
Matched by title — a reused name can pair the wrong games. * is a critic aggregate. Prices and positions are each store's United States storefront; Epic charts worldwide. Audience and Score too, except Steam's, which is worldwide.
Hours played at review time, across 45 reviews with recorded playtime.
positive critical· bar length = how often the theme comes up
[h1] Polecam 👍 [/h1] Wcielamy się w postać Lailę Rose, która pragnie sławy w branży muzycznej i postanawia sprzedać swoją duszę diabłu w zamian za karierę. Okazuje się jednak, że każde działanie pociąga za sobą konsekwencje — emocje takie jak chciwość, strach i potrzeba zmiany są splecione w mroczną historię podróży w głąb psychiki, którą przyjdzie nam odbyć. Jest to klasyczny walking simulator, który zawiera kilka straszaków, które są dobrze przemyślane i nie są tanimi chwytami, by tylko nas przestraszyć, ale żeby zbudować fajny klimat i napięcie, które utrzymuje się do samego końca gry. Mamy też kilka zagadek, które są fajne, proste i każdy da sobie z nimi radę. Podobały mi się też lokacje, które odwiedzaliśmy podczas naszej drogi do "sławy" i muszę przyznać, że jak na indie tytuł dobrze to wygląda. Bardzo duży plus również za voice acting oraz ambienty, które są dobrze zrobione. Długość gry to od 40 do 50 minut więc idealny tytuł na jeden wieczór. Jak najbardziej polecam zagrać, bo tytuł jest tego wart! [h3] Ocena końcowa: [b] 8/10 [/b] [/h3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WBibMWTtdQ&t
The Black Within is a psychological horror game based on selling your soul in the music industry. The premise makes for a great horror story and, for me, waleedzo did a great job. It's a new take on the typical horror story and the dev did a good job showing the consequences of our protagonists actions. The story kept me engaged and waiting to see the outcome. It had what many will call the typical jump scares, but they were timed well and blended with the story to help create an eerie atmosphere. Definitely very well put together for a first game. A fun walking sim with a unique story at a good price.
Опять игра из разряда "догадайся сам, что тебе нужно сделать и где". Тыкайся в каждый предмет, коих тут десятки, и практически все полностью бесполезны - зачем с ними сделали взаимодействие, непонятно. Всматривайся в каждый угол и пытайся пройти дальше. Душная хрень, я прошёл лишь треть игры и дропнул, пошёл смотреть прохождение на ютубе. Скримеры: присутствуют Монстры, способные убить: отсутствуют Страшная ли игра? - Немного страшная, потому что может напугать резкими и громкими звуками или скримерами. Это её единственный плюс, но он далеко не перекрывает все минусы. Время прохождения: примерно час, если знать что делать, в ином случае может потребоваться в 2-3 раза больше времени. Игру не рекомендую к покупке, это душная, неинтересная и не страшная фигня.
The Black Within - a horror themed walking simulator - is a fairly short and to-the-point horror game with a slightly confusing and, at times, illogical storyline. The story is about an artist who signs their first contract and is excited by the prospect of fame and success while the reality looks vastly different. Pros: ❤ Really good voice acting. ❤ Clear objectives. ❤ Nice pieces of artwork can be found throughout the game. ❤ Some eerie happenings. Cons: 💀 Begins with frustration and confusion (at least for me) which doesn't lift entirely at any point during the game. 💀 Confusing and, at times, illogical storyline. 💀 General atmosphere not really scary or even creepy even though it tries. 💀 A bad job at actually scary jumpscares. (I usually missed them, and if I didn't, I didn't get scared nevertheless.) Rating: ★★ (2/5 Stars) If you'd like, you can find my full playthrough here: https://youtu.be/64PUFDAYO4U?si=QJb3SKBUcT0O2w7o
The Black Within is a nice short game (about 90 minutes), which is actually honestly mentioned in the description. The storyline that is presented is there and fleshed out but it could have done with a bit more depth. Graphics are basic though there is some walls in certain places that haven't been clipped together so you can see the outside at times. There are some good ambient moments but the jumpscares are basic to the point of being cringey as well as overloaded that by the time its finished you're pretty much immune to it. The game is worth picking up during a sale I would recommend and the achievements are pretty straightforward that it makes for a nice short video game to chill one night to.
Wirklich nettes Debut Game. Es gibt hier durchaus starke Momente und gute Jumpscares. An ein Paar Stellen habe ich mich etwas an Dario Argento erinnert gefühlt. Absolut auch ein Meister des Horrors. Das Spiel wäre aber noch etwas besser geworden, wenn man die billigen Elemente wie explodierende Leuchtmittel und In-Your-Face-Juumpscares rausgelassen hätte. Aber es sind lange nicht so viele, dass es das Spiel wirklich verdirbt. Mir persönlich war das auch schon wieder etwas zu viel Dinge suchen. Das macht man mal wieder am meisten hier. Für viele Entwickler wohl der größte Horror, Schlüssel suchen ;). Gerade jetzt im Sale kann man hier aber überhaupt nichts falsch machen. Ich gebe hier eine 6,5/10
Então, eu sinceramente vou ser bem honesta, tá? Eu preferi o 2, o The Greenlight foi bem melhor. Ele teve uma pegada muito mais filosófica e muita coisa mais pra se racionalizar do que esse aqui. Não que esse não foi legal, esse foi muito legal, também gostei, o gráfico, a ambientação, jogabilidade, os sustos, teve uns jumpscare legal, só que foi muito parecido com a demo, tá? Assim, a diferença da demo foi muito pouca, eu esperava muito mais desse jogo. Ele foi basicamente a demo com uma diferençazinha aqui e outra ali. Eu esperava no mínimo uma pequena perseguçãozinha, porque na demo, se eu não me engano, teve das estátuas. Deixou algumas dúvidas, já que ele tem relação com o The Greenlight, não está muito bem explicado quem é Spencer e quem é o Arne. Eu tenho algumas teorias, eu pretendo até fazer alguns vídeos relacionados sobre isso pra eu postar no meu canal, sobre a Lore desses dois jogos e o que que um tem a ver com o outro. Mas, sinceramente, ainda deixou algumas pontas soltas ou muita dúvida. Talvez eu também não tenha entendido, aí pode ser essa a questão, né? Não vou dizer que eu sou extremamente inteligente. Eu consegui sinceramente criar muitas teorias em relação ao The Greenlight, mas esse ele me confundiu bastante. Ali no final, quando a gente vê lá ela presa, a única coisa que veio na minha cabeça é que ela ficou presa na própria mente como a Britney Spears. Conseguiu o estrelato, conseguiu a fama, mas está presa à sua própria fama. Não tem controle da sua própria vida. É como se outra pessoa tivesse no controle da... de todas as suas decisões. É como se ela estivesse estivesse dentro da sua própria mente, mas ela não consegue tomar decisão de nem beber um copo d'água. Quem vai faz isso por ela é outra pessoa. Então assim, eu acho que aquela prisão, ela é simbólica. Ela realmente está lá no palco. Ela se viu no palco porque ela não tem controle. Ela não tá, não vai curtir. Tá curtindo outra pessoa, o quê? Uma entidade ou ela mesma, só que só que ela ficou presa aquilo. É que nem aconteceu com o Fred. O Fred, para mim, ele tinha conseguido chegar até realizar o sonho dele, mas ele ficou preso lá na no farol. Ele não conseguiu a tal liberdade que foi prometida para ele. Só que na mente dele ele ele tá, ele conseguiu o que ele queria. Então para ele ele não não se deu mal, não, porque ele queria só pintar. Ele não tinha família, ele não tinha relações com nenhuma outras pessoas. Ele ficou lá na no farol realizando o sonho dele que era pintar. Então acredito eu que mesmo que ele esteja preso de certa forma, numa outra prisão, saiu de uma e foi pra outra. Eu acredito que ele ainda esteja entre aspas, bem, porque ele tá fazendo o que ele queria. Já a Laila não. Laila realmente entrou em desespero porque ela conseguiu estrelar, tá fama, mas não é ela que está controlando isso. Então foi só o que eu consegui entender do jogo e é isso. O jogo não é ruim, não, mas Talvez o o desenvolvedor seja muito, muito inteligente e não conseguiu colocar tudo em um jogo. Talvez seja legal colocar isso em um livro. eh E aí, mas vai ter um 3? Vai continuar?
It was pretty good. The scares got old after a while. But interesting story. 8/10 on the pear scale.
I'm not often leaving a comment on a game but considering that The Black Within was developed by a single person. Moreover, it is his first game. So I'll leave a honest review to support his work. It is a short game (about 90 minutes), which is actually honestly mentioned in the description. I didn't mind at all, actually this was more pleasant than having to walk around a huge map to collect useless poster and pointless achievements. Not to mention that the price is is very fair, so even if you are unsure you can get it during some discounts. No cutting edge graphisms, huge levels nor astonishing puzzles. Pass your way if that's what you are looking for. That said, it's fine visually, the ambiance is alright with few well executed jumpscares. Story could deserve a bit more work though. Did I enjoy it? I surely did. Of course it won't be my most intense gaming memory, but the job was done and, worth mentioning, I didn't experience any serious bugs. Would I recommend it? Probably not to anyone. However, after a day of work, it was a perfect game to chill and change my mind today. Good job and I'm waiting for the next one!
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Players by region
Where this game's players are, estimated from review languages.
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