indiegame.fan
MALAM: School header art

MALAM: School

A psychological loop horror rooted in Malaysian school legends. No chases, less UI, just a slow, atmospheric dread. Estimated 1- 2 hours game time. As an independent artist, I used AI to turn a lifelong dream into reality. Explore shifting corridors, manage character's sanity, and face the cycle.

Steam Page
Developer
Publisher
Release
Coming Soon
Steam Reviews
No reviews yet

Does this feel indie?

Vote based on whether this game feels indie to you. You can change your vote at any time. Results earn an IGF score after 10 accepted votes.
No votes yet
Vote on More Games
Game contextLatest: IGF Team
ContextThe evidence factors used to assess whether this game belongs on IndieGame.Fan.Status
Notes
Latest Contributor: IGF TeamEdit notes
Search Google: Who developed MALAM: School?Developer scaleThe operating scale of the game's developer.
Search Google: Who published MALAM: School?Publisher scaleThe operating scale of the game's publisher.
Search Google: Is MALAM: School self-published or published by HEXA XII?Publisher statusHow the game's publishing relationship is classified.
Search Google: How is MALAM: School and HEXA XII funded?FundingThe known source of funding behind the game.
Search Google: Who controls the creative direction and IP for MALAM: School and HEXA XII?Creative controlWho appears to retain creative control of the game.
Search Google: What is the release status of MALAM: School?Release statusWhether and how the game has been released.

Media

9 items

About the Game

ABOUT THIS GAME

MALAM: School is an immersive, first-person interactive horror experience rooted in the eerie urban legends of Malaysian high schools. Built on a foundation of environmental storytelling, the game challenges you to navigate a recursive nightmare where reality and memory blur into a humid, quiet dread.

To survive the night, you must sharpen your senses. Listen to the shifting environment and perceive the "entities" that remain invisible to the naked eye. Every creak and whisper has been meticulously crafted to recreate the authentic, heavy atmosphere of a Malaysian school at midnight.

CORE MECHANICS

Dynamic Investigation: The game features a "Zoom-in" mechanic. Players must carefully observe the environment to trigger events. There is no traditional UI—only your intuition and the unsettling changes in your surroundings.

A Different Kind of Dread: There are no chase sequences or sprint buttons. The horror is psychological and slow-paced, forcing you to confront uncanny visual distortions and a lingering sense of being watched.

Side-View Search: Use a dedicated mechanic to look beyond the primary frame. Switch perspectives to inspect hidden details in the environment—clues that only manifest when viewed from specific, deliberate angles.

The "Soul-Snatching" Cycle: Manage the protagonist’s mental stability (Sanity). In this world, the entities do not seek your body; they seek your vessel. Every encounter strips away your sanity until the line between the living and the dead dissolves.

Authentic Soundscapes: Immerse yourself in the distinct ambient sounds of Malaysia. From the low hum of old fans to the oppressive silence of a tropical night, the audio is a key component of the investigation.

THE NATURE OF NANYANG HORROR

The anomalies here are not about physical violence; they are about spiritual deprivation and local taboos. It explores a uniquely South-East Asian fear: the concept of "Ge-Bu" (Bound Spirits) and the cycle of unresolved karma. By the time you close the game, you may find that the reality you return to feels just as haunted.

A MESSAGE FROM THE DEVELOPER (AI & DREAMS)

MALAM: School is a project born from a lifelong dream and the power of modern technology. As an independent artist without a traditional background in game development, I have utilized AI extensively to bring this vision to life.

Without these AI tools, a project this personal and complete would have remained an unachievable dream for an outsider like me. Every visual distortion and synthesized soundscape is a result of a dialogue between human folklore and machine intelligence. This is not just a game; it is a testament to how technology can empower an individual to tell their story.

I invite you to experience this experiment—a journey into the "Uncanny Valley" created by a dreamer who dared to create with the help of AI.