Awaria stands out as a free-to-play action indie game that thrusts players into the gritty role of a tunnel maintenance worker in a haunted, hazardous underground world. Released in late 2024, this PC title combines quick repair tasks with intense survival challenges, where every moment counts amid lurking dangers. If you're drawn to fast-paced action with crafting elements and a touch of supernatural weirdness, this short experience captures the tension of penal labor in claustrophobic settings.
Gameplay
In Awaria, the core loop revolves around maintaining generators in eerie, malfunctioning tunnels. You start by diagnosing failures, then craft replacement parts using available resources, and finally deliver them to keep things running. Time pressure builds relentlessly, forcing quick decisions that can lead to mistakes or outright panic. Hazards abound, demanding constant vigilance as you dodge electrical bolts, bursts of fire, flying sharp scrap, and areas glowing with hazardous green radiation.
The action feels immediate and unforgiving, with safety violations adding to the chaos. A quirky supernatural element allows for unexpected interactions, like encountering and possibly kissing a ghost, which ties into the game's haunted theme. Partial controller support makes it accessible, though the minimal system requirements ensure it runs smoothly on most PCs with just 500 MB of storage needed.
Game Modes
Awaria focuses on a single-player experience without distinct named modes, keeping the gameplay straightforward and centered on individual runs through the tunnels. Each session emphasizes survival and task completion under pressure, with no multiplayer options or varied playlists to switch between.
This setup suits players who prefer solo challenges, where progress ties directly to mastering the repair and evasion mechanics in a consistent format. The game's brevity encourages replaying the core scenario to unlock its eight achievements, which reward skillful navigation and quick thinking.
Is It Worth Playing?
Awaria has earned overwhelmingly positive reception, with 96% positive feedback from 8,371 English reviews and a total of 18,550 reviews overall. Recent reviews remain very positive at 93% from 273 submissions, highlighting its tense atmosphere and clever hazards.
If you enjoy action games with crafting under time constraints and a dash of horror, this free title delivers a compelling short burst of gameplay. Its current full release state, complete with Steam Deck playability, makes it an easy recommendation for indie fans seeking something quick and replayable, especially given the lack of ongoing costs or commitments.
