Picture this: college student Yash Gupta decides to build a horror game in four months, sets it entirely on an Indian sleeper train, and somehow creates something that feels more authentic than most AAA horror titles. Anant Express isn’t your typical jump-scare simulator—it’s an atmospheric journey through psychological terror that taps into distinctly Indian fears and folklore.
Built by indie developer Yashgames773 and Abhishek Kar, then published by Jabsz Studios, this Unity-based game launched in August 2025 to surprising acclaim. The concept sounds simple: navigate through a haunted train to reach your designated coach. The execution, however, reveals layers of complexity that make this 90-minute experience feel genuinely unsettling rather than artificially scary.
The name “Anant” means infinity in Sanskrit, and the developers embrace this theme literally. The train route becomes circular, trapping players in an endless loop where the familiar becomes frightening, and routine transforms into nightmare.
What Anant Express Gets Remarkably Right
Authenticity defines this game’s greatest strength. Rather than copying Western horror tropes, the developers crafted something uniquely Indian that resonates with anyone who’s experienced overnight train journeys. The attention to detail is impressive—chai vendors calling out, newspapers scattered on berths, samosas wrapped in foil, and yes, those ubiquitous slippers left under seats.
Visual design creates a genuine atmosphere through careful environmental storytelling. Compartment interiors feel lived-in rather than sterile. Creaking fans, distant railway announcements, and shifting carriage lighting establish mood without relying on cheap scares or gore.
The psychological horror approach works because it builds tension through familiarity corrupted. Players recognize these spaces, sounds, and social dynamics, making anomalies feel genuinely disturbing rather than obviously artificial. Passengers disappear and reappear; conversations loop unnaturally; objects shift when you’re not looking—subtle changes that create persistent anxiety.
Sound design deserves particular praise. Ambient railway noise, metal-on-metal squeaking, and muffled conversations through thin walls recreate the claustrophobic intimacy of Indian train travel. These audio elements work harder than visual effects to maintain immersion.
The randomized anomaly system keeps multiple playthroughs interesting. Rather than scripted scares that lose impact after the first encounter, the game generates unpredictable moments that maintain tension even for experienced players.
Cultural resonance cannot be understated. Indian players immediately connect with the setting, while international audiences experience something genuinely different from typical horror game locations. The developers understand that horror works best when rooted in recognizable reality.
Critical Areas Demanding Improvement and Player Accessibility Concerns
Technical limitations undermine the experience significantly. Frame rate drops on lower-end PCs create immersion-breaking stutters during crucial atmospheric moments. Navigation bugs occasionally trap players or break progression, forcing restarts that kill carefully built tension.
The minimalist UI and clue system, while atmospherically appropriate, create accessibility barriers for players unfamiliar with psychological horror conventions. New players struggle without clear objectives or guidance systems, leading to frustration rather than fear.
Gameplay pacing suffers from repetitive coach traversal without sufficient variety in encounters or environmental changes. The 90-minute runtime feels padded when walking through similar bogies repeatedly without meaningful progression or new scares.
Instruction clarity is a significant weakness. Players expect some guidance about objectives, controls, or mechanics, but the game provides minimal onboarding. This design choice may work for experienced horror enthusiasts but alienates casual players or those new to the genre.
Platform limitations restrict audience reach. Mac support remains absent, and localization for non-Indian players could be improved. Cultural references and dialogue might confuse international audiences without proper context or translation options.
The narrative framework needs strengthening. While the atmospheric horror succeeds, the underlying story feels underdeveloped. Why is this particular train haunted? What is the protagonist’s connection to these events? A stronger narrative context would enhance player investment beyond simple survival.
Some design choices seem arbitrary rather than purposeful. The circular train layout creates interesting thematic resonance, but gameplay becomes monotonous when environmental variety fails to match the conceptual ambition.
Female players and newcomers might find the experience less engaging due to unclear progression systems and minimal guidance. Horror games benefit from clear stakes and objectives, even when maintaining atmospheric ambiguity.
Looking Forward: Promise and Potential in Indian Indie Development
Anant Express succeeds as a proof-of-concept for culturally grounded horror gaming, while highlighting areas where Indian indie development can improve. The technical ambition is impressive given the four-month development timeline and college student budget constraints.
The cultural authenticity demonstrates that Indian developers can create globally appealing content by embracing, rather than avoiding, their unique perspectives and experiences. Horror works best when it taps into genuine cultural fears and familiar environments corrupted into nightmare scenarios.
Future updates addressing technical optimization, accessibility improvements, and narrative development could transform this promising debut into something truly special. The foundation exists—atmospheric design, cultural authenticity, and innovative horror mechanics—but execution needs refinement.
Startups like Yashgames773 and Jabsz Studios represent the future of Indian gaming when they combine local storytelling with technical competence and global market awareness. Anant Express stands as both an achievement and a learning experience, pointing toward exciting possibilities for culturally rooted game development.
Anant Express achieves something remarkable for an indie horror game created by college students in four months—it feels authentically frightening rather than artificially scary. Technical limitations and accessibility concerns prevent the game from reaching its full potential, but the creative foundation suggests bright futures for developers willing to embrace Indian stories and settings.
The game succeeds most when it trusts its cultural instincts and fails when it neglects basic player needs like clear guidance and technical polish. Future Indian indie games can learn from both aspects—embrace authentic storytelling while maintaining professional development standards that serve all players effectively.
But the future of Indian indie gaming looks bright when creators like these combine authentic cultural storytelling with technical ambition and creative innovation. Anant Express may be just the beginning of India’s contribution to worldwide horror gaming excellence.
