The name may be as basic as possible, but the upcoming digital-sleuth game CD-ROM looks like it has lots of layers happening in the puzzle department. Using a pixel-art reconstruction of a fictional retro-computer interface, you'll dig through files and photos to extract the info you need to unlock the next disc.
Other than what we get from the trailer, the Steam page for the game is relatively sparing with details: we know there will be 10 CDs to work your way through, each containing new and different kinds of files to examine, and there are references to the practice of steganography (hiding secret messages or information within a larger work) which clearly forms the backbone of the experience. It feels like there's been a rise lately in interesting games that create these user-interface layers that look and act like software and hardware tools and end up becoming part of the puzzles themselves.
The trailer and screenshots show a player loading up one of the discs, accessing text files, images and even audio clips that they'll need to comb through to extract hidden info and eventually end up with a passcode to access the next CD. I can see at least a few different kinds of thematic, old-school CD branding represented, including a "Picx Editor" program and a World Travel disc that features photos from locations around the world. Can you imagine having access to all that right on your home PC? We're truly living in the future.
CD-ROM currently has a projected release date of Quarter 1 2026 (sometime early next year) but you can wishlist or get a sample with the free demo on Steam now.
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