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SOS Recordings

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SOS Recordings screenshot 1
SOS_Recordings_Announcement Trailer_EN trailerWatch trailer on Steam ↗

SOS Recordings

PackDev · Published by CRITICAL REFLEX · Official site ↗

Last updated 9 Oct 2026

A lone mountain in northern Japan. Two hikers rescued alive from its silent maw. In their wake, a perfect SOS made of tree trunks, built years before anyone was lost. Based on the real unsolved 1989 SOS Incident. The recordings are waiting.

Free to PlayComing SoonDJCTQ 10

Free

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Action, Adventure, Indie, Casual · 2026 · More free games

Discover the enigma of the 1989 SOS Incident in northern Japan as you navigate the silent mountain. SOS Recordings from PackDev invites you to unravel a decades-old puzzle with each step.

About this game

July 1989. Mount Asahi, Hokkaido.

Two hikers vanish into the twisting forests and freezing rivers. A rescue helicopter slices through the mist and spots something that breaks the rules of time: a colossal SOS made from exactly nineteen birch trees, each five meters long, arranged in three flawless rows.

Listen to the tapes. Walk the trail. Try not to lose your mind.

You were handed the case no one wanted. Sit through every recording. Drive the long roads beyond the city. Fly the helicopter. Shine your flashlight into places that want to stay dark. Do what needs to be done.

Take it all in, or get pulled in.

Wander through low-poly recreations of the real locations: mist-drenched pine forests, roaring black rivers, serene meadows that suddenly drop into nothing. Get lost in the sights and sounds of Japan, and take the scenic route through a place that may not let you go.

System Requirements

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Minimum

Minimum:
  • OS: Windows 10
  • Processor: Intel Core i3-4130 / AMD FX-6300
  • Memory: 4 GB RAM
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 750 Ti / AMD Radeon HD 7850
  • Storage: 2 GB available space
  • Sound Card: Integrated or dedicated sound card
  • VR Support: None
  • Additional Notes: Low-poly visuals optimized for older hardware.

Recommended

Recommended:
  • OS: Windows 11
  • Processor: Intel Core i5-4590 / AMD Ryzen 3 1200
  • Memory: 8 GB RAM
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti / AMD Radeon RX 560
  • Storage: 2 GB available space
  • Sound Card: Integrated or dedicated sound card
  • VR Support: None
  • Additional Notes: Low-poly visuals optimized

Supported Languages

English, Japanese, French, German, Spanish - Spain, Korean, Portuguese - Portugal, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish - Latin America, Traditional Chinese, Portuguese - Brazil

Latest news

  • AnnouncementsOfficial

    Devlog #2: Choices and Consequences

    Greetings, Detectives.Last time, we shed some light on the main characters of SOS Recordings, along with the Sanity mechanic that alters Riku's psychological state based on your in-game actions and choices. But sanity is not the only thing your decisions will shape. In a detective game, how you investigate is just as important as what you find. So let's look at how your choices impact the gameplay. Every choice you make will not only determine how the story unfolds or how different characters perceive you (we wouldn't dream of spoiling the mystery — that's yours to uncover), but will also fundamentally alter your moment-to-moment gameplay. We want you to feel the weight of the badge, where every decision has a practical impact on your investigation. Consider this: in several locations, you'll face the option to turn the lights on or off. A seemingly simple detail, isn't it? However, when your sanity is fraying and paranoia grips Riku, he becomes afraid of being seen by someone, or something, so keeping the lights off may help stabilize your mental state. But this comes at a cost. Relying on your flashlight limits your field of view and makes searching for small clues much harder. Conversely, if you've managed your mental well-being and the paranoid episodes have subsided, turning the lights on becomes the optimal choice. It makes navigation easier, but you have to weigh that against your current sanity levels.As you work through the case, you'll encounter a variety of locals and witnesses. Were you rude with the gas station attendant? Don't expect his full cooperation when you need information later. Perhaps you were a little too friendly with that overly talkative office clerk? You might find yourself wasting time and overlooking crucial clues as a result. Building rapport takes effort, and burning bridges can close off investigation routes entirely. But, of course, not every choice will be this subtle. Take this fork in the road, for instance. It just might lead t...
    Read full article on Community Announcements (kyōfu wo oshiete yarō)
  • AnnouncementsOfficial

    Devlog #1: Characters and Sanity

    Greetings, Detectives. First and foremost, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to those of you who have patiently awaited updates for SOS Recordings and shown us your unwavering support. It truly means the world to us, and it fuels everything we do behind the scenes. Before we dive deeper into what we’ve been carefully crafting, let’s bring everyone up to speed and watch our latest trailer, shall we? SOS Recordings is an investigative psychological horror set in modern-day Japan, inspired by a real long-unsolved case. Two hikers vanished amidst a violent storm in the twisting, ancient forests of Hokkaido. During the search-and-rescue operation, a police helicopter spotted something entirely inexplicable: a colossal SOS sign meticulously assembled from exactly nineteen birch trees, each precisely five meters long, arranged flawlessly into three letters. It was proven that the missing hikers had nothing to do with it. So who did? And why? You step into the shoes of Riku, a Japanese detective assigned to unravel this baffling mystery. Scour the scene, analyze scattered evidence, and piece together fragmented truths while battling creeping paranoia and false memories that threaten to cloud your judgment. Fortunately, you won’t be walking this path alone. Meet Connor, your sharp-eyed partner and trusted friend. Together, you’ll shine your flashlight to disperse the shadows that desperately cling to the mystery. Are you prepared to do whatever it takes to uncover the truth? As you navigate low-poly landscapes modeled after of real maze-like woodlands, rushing rivers, and gravel-strewn serene meadows, you’ll need to safeguard your most vital asset — your own sanity. Your mental state will fluctuate based on every choice you make and every step you take. Discovering hidden clues, witnessing inexplicable phenomena, and deciding which evidence to trust will all shift your sanity meter in distinct ways. You’ll gauge your sanity by the growing frequency of hallucinations...
    Read full article on Community Announcements (kyōfu wo oshiete yarō)
  • AnnouncementsOfficial

    New Trailer, Publisher and What’s Next

    Greetings, Detectives, and special thanks to everyone who awaited news for SOS Recordings. We have a lot to talk about, but let’s fill everyone in on what’s been going on first, shall we?SOS Recordings is a psychological horror experience, set in 1980s Hokkaido, Japan. Uncover the truth behind the mysterious disappearance of people in Mount Asashi, piece together the truth while battling paranoia, hallucinations and false memories. Inspired By The Real Events— take your part in solving the real 1980s caseTime Is Running Out — you have a limited amount of time, before the game ends: either crack the case, or try againImmerse Yourself — experience the story through the perspective of different characters in this blend of true crime and narrative horrorYour Own Battle — fight for your sanity, while uncovering unsettling truths about the long unsolved caseAnd since the last time we spoke, we have partnered up with the CRITICAL REFLEX! You may know them as the publisher behind Mouthwashing and No, I’m Not A Human. Since our partnership begun, we, as developers, gain access to resources, expertise and experience a small team like ours lacks. The best thing is that we can achieve a much higher level of polish with a proper testing team, artists and sound designers who help us in flashing out our creative vision. And the other exciting thing is the fact that with the help of the publisher the game would be localized for several languages, such as:SpanishPortugueseTraditional ChineseSimplified ChineseJapaneseKoreanRussianPlease, note, that this is not the final list of languages that will be available on release.We sincerely hope, that you are as stoked to play SOS Recordings as we are to make it with our new-found help. New information, trailers and devlogs about the game are to come in the following months.Get ready to dive into the case, Detectives.And, while we have your attention, come and check some other new additions to the CRITICAL REFLEX roster!Cucina Stellata is a...
    Read full article on Community Announcements (kyōfu wo oshiete yarō)
  • Patch NotesOfficial

    SOS Incident – Screamfest Update Now Live!

    SOS Incident – Screamfest Update Now Live! We’re excited to return for Steam Screamfest 2025 with a brand new trailer and a major demo update, now available on Steam! This update brings a new level of polish and atmosphere to SOS Incident. We’ve made great progress on the upcoming chapters, but for this demo update, here’s what’s new:- Completely reworked main menu – new visuals, smoother transitions, and immersive ambient sound design. - Enhanced atmosphere – overhauled lighting, weather effects, and fog for deeper immersion. - Updated environment details – new props, improved terrain, and richer world depth. - Sound pass – rebalanced mix, new ambient layers, and spatial audio tweaks to increase tension. - Improved flow and pacing – refined player guidance and smoother progression through the demo. - Optimizations & bug fixes – better performance, stability, and overall polish. Experience the new build during Scream Fest, and let us know your thoughts! Your feedback continues to shape the full release! PackDev Team
    Read full article on Community Announcements (Mr.Boogie)
  • AnnouncementsOfficial

    Achievements are now in!

    🚀 Achievements are here!The SOS Incident Demo and Main App now feature 10 unique achievements to unlock. They’re hidden across the game and reward those who explore, experiment, and push their limits. Think you’ve got what it takes to find them all? 🌟 Start the Game - Welcome Back Secret tape - There is a Mystery in The Woods Clean up trash - Eco Friendly Played the game for 15min - Enjoying The Game Played the game for 30min - Taking it Slow Lighting a Huge Fire - Staying Warm Found all Secret Tapes - True Detective Survived the Demo - True Survivor Found the Shortcut - Eagle Eye Avoid the crash - Be you can't
    Read full article on Community Announcements (☚Mr.Fluffy☛)

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