Ukrainian indie team House of Morok is working on a narrative survival game called Peak or Die. The project tells the story of a deadly climb to the top of the Carpathian mountain Brebeneskul, where players will have to manage limited resources, overcome moral dilemmas, and encounter elements of Ukrainian mythology and folkloric horror.
Ukrainian indie team House of Morok is working on a narrative survival game called Peak or Die. The project tells the story of a deadly climb to the top of the Carpathian mountain Brebeneskul, where players will have to manage limited resources, overcome moral dilemmas, and encounter elements of Ukrainian mythology and folkloric horror.
As the studio representatives explained on Reddit, the concept of the game was born last year during their participation in the charity game jam «Igrovary 2025», where the project won. At that time, the game did not yet have a prescribed universe — only the basic mechanics of climbing to the top.
Now the team has significantly expanded the concept. Thanks to the work of a narrative designer who climbed the mountain, the game’s plot is now entirely focused on Brebeneskul, the second highest peak in Ukraine. The authors are inspired by real mountain landscapes during development and plan to later recreate famous geographical features in the game, in particular a high-altitude lake.
«In the beginning, we didn’t have a deep lore, just the idea of climbing. Now the plot revolves around the Carpathians. We are inspired by real footage from the mountains, and in the future we plan to recreate real locations on the mountain — a lake and a castle. When we become rich, we will go with the whole team to climb a real mountain,» the developers share.
In Peak or Die, players will lead an expedition through icy slopes, controlling oxygen levels, food, and overall team spirit. Each member of the squad will have a unique character and will remember the leader’s decisions, which will affect the development of events and available options. The authors promise high replayability thanks to random events, blizzards, and unpredictable encounters along the way.
The game will combine a semi-realistic visual style with a depressing atmosphere and storytelling through the environment. You can add Peak or Die to your wishlist on the Steam page.
