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Onyx: The Dark Grip is a 2.5D dark adventure planned exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 in 2027. Developed by Bloober Team subsidiary Broken Mirror Games, it combines exploration and puzzle-solving with console-specific touch, motion and microphone features. Its design draws on the distinctive ways games used the Wii, DS and PlayStation Vita, making it a notable project for players interested in hardware-focused gameplay.
Onyx: The Dark Grip and its Switch 2 concept
The story takes place in a small, isolated town inspired by Bieruń in Poland, where a harsh winter has taken hold. Players guide Holden, described as an ordinary man who does not know he is possessed. While he feels compelled to keep moving, the player directs his actions as a god-like presence able to intervene in his world.
Bloober Team CEO Piotr Babieno has a long-standing connection to Nintendo games. According to senior brand manager Dawid Podgorski, Babieno began selling Nintendo products at a local Polish game shop around 15 to 20 years ago and organized a Nintendo fan convention during the GameCube era. The game is being made by Broken Mirror Games, a subsidiary that brings together Bloober specialists and external developers.
Touch, microphone and motion-based gameplay
As Holden, players explore the town, solve puzzles and use melee and ranged attacks. The developers describe the experience as a “dark adventure” rather than a full horror game. The trailer and stated inspirations suggest an unsettling atmosphere, but the core concept also relies on the player acting directly on the world around Holden.
Several interactions are designed around Switch 2 features:
- Touch the screen with both thumbs to conduct electricity and help Holden operate a generator.
- Whistle and blow into the microphone to help warm Holden when he gets cold.
- Swipe away moths that cover the screen when fear affects Holden’s mental state.
- Tilt the console using its built-in gyroscope to crush enemies with the Void ability.
- Swipe the screen to throw fireballs and create fires with sparks.
Players can also read the thoughts of non-player characters and place thoughts in their minds. A “Talk With The Dead” ability provides information from corpses, giving exploration and investigation a role alongside combat. For a more comfortable experience, players should check the game’s control options when available, particularly if they prefer not to use motion or microphone inputs.
Influences, music and what has been shown
Podgorski says the player is meant to feel like themselves influencing Holden’s world, rather than simply controlling the character on screen. The developers cite Eternal Darkness, Silent Hill, Inside and Resident Evil 2 as influences, alongside True Detective: Night Country for its isolated winter setting and grounded sense of dread.
The score is being composed by Polish musician Jan Borysewicz and recorded with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. These influences point to a mix of psychological tension, cinematic 2.5D presentation and a wintry atmosphere.
What to expect from Onyx: The Dark Grip
At the time of the announcement, the game had been in development for three years, but a hands-on gameplay demonstration was not shown. The available details come from the studio’s description, so the precise feel of its controls and how its different abilities work together remain to be seen.
With a planned Nintendo Switch 2 release in 2027, Onyx: The Dark Grip stands out for building its adventure around touch, sound and motion rather than treating those inputs as optional extras. Players following the game should look for future gameplay footage and control details to see how these ideas work in practice.
