ONTOS Showcases New Gameplay at Gamescom 2026
Frictional Games released a new gameplay video for ONTOS during Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026. The studio, known for Amnesia and SOMA, takes players to an old hotel on the Moon called Samsara in their new sci-fi adventure. Once a hotel, the building now serves a completely different purpose, and the main character, Aditi Amani, is searching for answers about her father’s past there.
ONTOS Shows How Disturbing Experiments Can Be This Time
The new Gamescom video centers around a rather bizarre experiment called the “Rat Server Experiment.” The footage shows laboratory settings, biological studies with mice, and people with electrodes attached to their brains. Clearly, Frictional Games seems to be exploring the question of “what is human consciousness?” from SOMA, this time through much more disturbing experiments.
As players explore Samsara in the role of Aditi Amani, they won’t just be solving the mysteries of the surrounding environment. At times, they’ll need to directly participate in experiments, make decisions, and live with the consequences. The game deviates slightly from classic horror logic here; it’s not just about what’s chasing you in the dark corridor, but about deciding which choices are truly the right ones.
At the center of the story is Aditi, following clues left behind by her estranged father. Once a brilliant scientist, her father has transformed into something akin to a prophet. As they progress through Samsara, the line between the truth behind this transformation, the experiments conducted at the hotel, and reality itself will become increasingly blurred.
ONTOS was originally planned for release in 2026, but the game has been delayed to 2027. The exact release date for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC game has not yet been announced. However, the recent Gamescom presentation clearly shows that Frictional Games intends not only to scare but also to thoroughly confuse the player this time.
To see all the announcements, new games, and trailers from Gamescom 2026 in one place, check out our Gamescom 2026 dedicated page.
