Anomaly 404

About Anomaly 404

Anomaly 404 is a first-person psychological horror game from indie developer Mike Meow, released on PC on March 5, 2026. It casts you as a journalist infiltrating Void Corporation’s secret bunker to expose “Project 404.” The game blends environmental puzzles with disorienting visuals that challenge your perception. You navigate a decaying military facility, using a camera to document anomalies that warp reality. The story revolves around uncovering experiments conducted by a government-backed company, with the player piecing together clues through eerie environments and distorted audio logs. The core hook is its unstable world design, walls shift, objects vanish, and your own senses can’t be trusted. It’s a slow-burn experience that prioritizes atmosphere and mystery over action.

Gameplay

In Anomaly 404, you explore a crumbling bunker by moving the camera to document anomalies. The camera is both a tool and a mechanic: certain puzzles require positioning it to reveal hidden objects or trigger events. Reality shifts unpredictably, corridors lengthen, doors teleport, and textures flicker. The lack of a map forces you to rely on memory, but the environment actively tricks you into backtracking. Sound design amplifies tension: distant whispers, metallic clangs, and static-filled transmissions hint at unseen threats. Puzzles often involve aligning camera angles to expose otherwise invisible objects, like a corpse or a key. Combat is absent, replaced by passive horror elements: fleeting shadows, disorienting flicker effects, and the constant fear of missing something critical. Progression is nonlinear but riddled with dead ends, demanding patience. The game’s single-player focus means every decision feels isolating, heightening the psychological weight.

What Players Think

Community stats show a 74% completion rate and an average playtime of 11 hours, with 68% of players finishing under 15 hours. Reviews on PlayPile rate it 8.1/10, with 72% calling it “addictive” and 23% labeling it “frustrating.” Moods are split: 58% report “uneasy,” 31% “curious,” and 11% “confused.” Players praise the game’s ability to mess with perception, with one review noting, “I still don’t know what was real.” Achievement data reveals 100% completion unlocks a hidden epilogue, and 62% of players earn it. Price-sensitive buyers appreciate the $29.99 tag, though some criticize the lack of save scumming. The most common complaint? “The camera mechanics are finicky.”

PlayPile's Take

Anomaly 404 is a niche but polished horror game for fans of environmental storytelling and surreal puzzles. Its $30 price tag matches its moderate length, and the 100 achievement unlocks justify the replay value. If you enjoy titles like Amnesia or The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, this will scratch the same itch. However, the disorienting design may alienate those who prefer clear direction. Skip it if you’re easily frustrated by abstract mechanics or lack of hand-holding. Otherwise, it’s a worthwhile experience for its uncanny atmosphere and clever use of perception.

Storyline

You are a journalist who has received an anonymous letter from an employee about horrifying experiments conducted on people. Armed with only a camera, you infiltrate Void Corporation's secret military facility to expose the truth behind "Project 404" Void Corporation is a private company working for the government. Their task is to ensure military superiority. At any cost. Descend into their bunker, but be careful — reality is unstable here, and your eyes can deceive you.