Publisher Bloober Team and developers Broken Mirror Games and Anshar Studios have announced SAW: Genesis, a new multiplayer horror game set in the world of SAW. The game will launch first in Early Access on PC via Steam, although a release date has not yet been announced.
Unlike most asymmetrical horror games, SAW: Genesis introduces a 3v1 format where three players work together to survive while another player takes on the role of the Judge, an early follower of Jigsaw’s philosophy.
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The game is set in the aftermath of World War I and focuses on survival, difficult choices, and psychological pressure rather than direct combat. Each match takes place on procedurally generated maps, ensuring that layouts, routes, and strategies change every time players enter a new trial.
Players choosing the Judge will control the game from behind the scenes. Instead of chasing victims directly, the Judge manipulates the environment using traps, toxins, hallucinogenic gas, and other tools designed to pressure the Accused into making painful decisions. The Judge can also summon an accomplice to drag players into rehabilitation traps.
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The Judge is not an unstoppable killer. The character is physically vulnerable and relies on strategy rather than brute force. This creates a different power dynamic compared to many popular asymmetrical horror games where the monster often dominates through strength alone.
On the other side are the three Accused, who must cooperate to escape. Players will need to solve puzzles, gather resources, complete objectives, and find keys before time runs out. However, survival comes at a cost.
One of the game’s most unique mechanics revolves around permanent injuries during a match. Players trapped by the Judge may be forced to sacrifice a body part to escape. Losing an arm can make puzzles harder to complete, while an injured leg reduces movement speed. These consequences remain active for the rest of the match and can dramatically affect a team’s chances of survival.
The developers say SAW: Genesis is designed around short but intense matches where no two sessions play out the same. Procedurally generated levels, changing objectives, puzzles inspired by the SAW franchise, and player-driven choices are expected to provide significant replay value.
The game also appears to lean heavily into the moral dilemmas that made the SAW films popular. Rather than simply avoiding death, players will often have to decide what they are willing to sacrifice in order to survive.
