Tales of Ancients: Hollow Apartments

About Tales of Ancients: Hollow Apartments

Tales of Ancients: Hollow Apartments is a psychological horror adventure game from Bastudio, released in 2025 for PC. Set in a decaying, eerie town, it follows Alex, a man who stumbles into a cursed forest and uncovers a forgotten temple tied to the Nox Aeterna cult. The game blends exploration with environmental puzzles, where each floor of the temple shifts to mirror Alex’s figuring out sanity. With minimalist visuals and a haunting atmosphere, it’s a slow-burn journey through paranoia and survival. Best for fans of tense, story-driven adventures.

Gameplay

You play as Alex, navigating a labyrinth of warped, ever-changing temple floors that morph based on your mental state. The core loop involves searching for the old book to unlock lore, solving environmental puzzles to progress, and avoiding traps like collapsing floors or spectral entities. Controls are basic, movement, interaction, and a flashlight toggle, but the tension comes from limited resources and unpredictable shifts in the environment. Sessions often last 30, 60 minutes, with frequent pauses to decipher cryptic clues. Combat is minimal; most threats require evasion or timing. The single-player campaign focuses on uncovering the town’s secrets through exploration, with no dialogue or companions.

What Players Think

PlayPile users rate it 4.3/5, with 82% completing the base story. Average playtime is 6.5 hours, though 30% report over 10. Community moods lean “haunting” and “puzzling,” with 68% noting its atmospheric tension. One review says, “The shifting floors and lack of combat kept me second-guessing every step.” Critics praise the lore-heavy puzzles but fault the slow pacing. Completion rate for the 50+ achievements is 34%, with “Shadowbound” (unlocking the temple’s final floor) being the most elusive. Price at $29.99 feels steep for some, given the short runtime.

PlayPile's Take

This is a niche pick for players who enjoy cerebral horror and environmental storytelling. While the 50+ achievements and hidden lore add re-playability, the lack of action or variety might frustrate casual gamers. At its price point, it works better as a short, focused experience than a long-term project. The haunting visuals and psychological themes stick with you, but don’t expect a fast-paced thrill ride. Worth a try if you’ve 5, 7 hours to lose in a spooky, cerebral world.

Storyline

Once a peaceful and quiet town... now lost in the shadows of silence and abandonment. This is the story of Alex—a man caught between the whispers of the rain and the fears hidden by the mist. Alex's ordinary journey takes a mysterious turn when his car breaks down. As he stumbles upon an ancient temple complex deep within the forest, he unknowingly enters a forgotten, desolate town. What began as mere curiosity has now become a fight for survival. While exploring the deserted streets, Alex finds an old book in an abandoned bookstore. The book reveals the secrets of ancient civilizations and mysterious cults. Following the trail of the enigmatic Nox Aeterna cult, each page pulls him deeper into the heart of the town's secrets. Every corner holds a puzzle, and every shadow hides a trap.