Pyromaniac

Pyromaniac is a first-person survival game created by tayoDEV Games, centered around exploration and psychological tension. The player steps into the role of Nikolas, a 20-year-old man who finds himself in a deserted city filled with strange creatures and unanswered questions. The world feels quiet yet dangerous, urging players to uncover what led to its decay. The experience combines storytelling and gradual discovery rather than fast combat, giving structure and direction to every moment of play.

Story and World

The game unfolds over five chapters, each revealing new parts of the city and its mystery. Nikolas must move through empty streets, abandoned rooms, and dark alleys while defending himself against unknown threats. As the story develops, players begin to understand that the city is a setting and a reflection of Nikolas’s past and choices. Two different endings depend on the player’s path and decisions, creating replay value and alternative outcomes. The story uses silence and atmosphere to guide the player without relying on dialogue or long cutscenes, allowing meaning to come from the environment itself.

Gameplay and Core Features

Pyromaniac focuses on survival, observation, and progression through controlled spaces rather than large, open exploration. Every chapter adds new elements that change how players approach danger and space. During the playthrough, you will:

·         Explore the city in a first-person 3D environment.

·         Search for clues that explain what happened.

·         Face hostile encounters and manage limited resources.

·         Experience five chapters that connect through narrative flow.

·         Reach one of two endings based on your progress and decisions.

This combination of structure and simplicity gives the game a defined rhythm, balancing tension with discovery.

Design and Development Approach

Developed as a complete standalone version after earlier prototypes, Pyromaniac shows a clear design philosophy: build a compact but complete experience. The visual tone, lighting, and movement through confined environments reinforce the sense of control and restriction that defines the gameplay. The limited runtime encourages players to focus on detail — sounds, lights, and patterns become central tools for navigation and understanding. By avoiding long exposition, the game lets design and motion communicate emotion and direction, showing how small-scale projects can still achieve narrative clarity.