A survival horror game set in the trenches of Verdun during World War I launches this week, and in Conscript, you find yourself alone in the trenches, shuttling between block houses and safe zones in search of your missing brother. To do so, you will stab, shoot, and sneak your way through the trenches, planning the best route and conserving your limited resources as best you can.

“Conscript” is clearly inspired by survival horror classics, especially the early “Resident Evil” games. Take plenty of notes to solve little riddles and backtrack, and look closely at the map of the trench environment as you move back and forth between areas. There is also a save room.

World War I is definitely a novel theme for this type of survival horror, but a fitting one. You won't find a more interesting, labyrinthine level design than a complex network of trenches shattered by artillery fire.” The developers know it's a good one, and the game description emphasizes the importance of elements like item management and route planning to the way you play.

What sets this game apart from other survival horror games in this vein is not the jumps of terror and monster dog-squids of “Resident Evil,” but the air of grim despair and melancholy. It is also unique among older survival horror games in that this is war, and therefore not all combat can be avoided. The game can be played with the “Resident Evil 4” system. For example, you can collect cigarettes and exchange them for weapon upgrades.

“Conscript” is developed by indie developer Jordan Mochi and Catchweight Studio, published by Team 17, and Steam Deck certified. It will be released on July 23rd, but a demo is available now. There is also an official website, conscriptgame.com.