Independent developer Harebrained, the acclaimed creators behind the Shadowrun trilogy and BATTLETECH, has officially unveiled its newest project: GRAFT. Moving away from its recent tactical RPG roots, the studio is diving into the “post-cyberpunk” survival horror genre, crafting a dark, isometric RPG that explores the physical and psychological costs of survival.
The Setting: The Arc
The game takes place aboard a continent-sized space station known as The Arc. Once a shining jewel of a civilization that had mastered biomechanical engineering and effectively conquered death, the station is now a decaying megalopolis. As the superstructure fails, players must navigate labyrinthine techno-catacombs, yawning chasms, and self-replicating corridors that are slowly being swallowed by a “slow death” of encroaching darkness.
Core Mechanic: The Ship of Theseus
The central gameplay pillar of GRAFT is the eponymous grafting system. To survive the horrors of the Arc—ranging from ancient feral experiments to the ruthless agents of a demented AI—you must augment your body.
- Limb-Swapping: You can literally tear parts from fallen enemies or scavenge them from the environment to gain new abilities and combat prowess.
- The Psychological Cost: Every graft carries a fragment of its previous owner’s consciousness. As you replace your original parts, your character is flooded with “strange cravings and half-glimpsed memories.” You might find yourself obsessing over a lover you never knew or feeling a sudden impulse toward cruelty.
- Identity Crisis: The game leans heavily on the Ship of Theseus paradox. By the time you reach the end of your journey, how much of your original self remains? The narrative choices you make regarding these personality shifts will determine who—or what—you are when you finally escape.
Gameplay and Development
In a shift for the studio, GRAFT utilizes Unreal Engine 5, allowing for a high level of atmospheric detail and visceral, real-time combat. Unlike the turn-based strategy of Shadowrun, combat here is described as a “visceral new twist on classic survival horror,” requiring careful resource management and strategic use of your evolving body as a weapon.
Despite the focus on horror, the studio’s RPG DNA remains intact. Players will encounter other survivors in the desolation, forming fragile alliances and making fate-altering decisions that shape the story.
GRAFT continues Harebrained’s tradition of crafting dense and narratively rich worlds, full of compelling characters and impactful choices.” — Harebrained Official Announcement
Release Information
As of December 2025, Harebrained has released a brand-new “Inosculation” Trailer (premiered at the Horror Game Awards) which showcases the game’s unsettling body-horror visuals. While a specific release date has not yet been locked in, the project has already garnered significant community support and is currently available to wishlist on Steam and the Epic Games Store.
