《小鎮驚魂 3》（DreadOut 3）是由印尼獨立團隊Digital Happiness開發的第三人稱恐怖冒險遊戲，也是《小鎮驚魂》系列的正統續作，預計於2026年在PC（Steam）平台推出。延續系列一貫以東南亞、尤其是印尼都市傳說與民間信仰為核心的恐怖風格，本作在氣氛營造與世界觀深度上進一步升級，試圖打造一個更龐大、更詭譎，也更具心理壓迫感的靈異世界。

劇情方面，再次聚焦系列女主角琳達。經歷前作事件後，她的身份已不再只是被靈異現象捲入的普通少女，而是被賦予「黑暗守護者」之名的存在。故事描述琳達為了維持光明與黑暗之間的脆弱平衡，踏入一個跨越次元的「兔子洞」，追尋那股正在暗中侵蝕世界、威脅秩序的未知力量源頭。這趟旅程不再局限於單一城鎮，而是橫跨現實世界與靈界，深入各種被詛咒的鄉村、荒廢建築與異界空間。遊戲的敘事延續系列特色，透過環境暗示、殘缺的線索、靈異遭遇與象徵性事件，拼湊出一個充滿宗教意象、人性陰影與地方傳說的恐怖故事，讓玩家在不安與好奇中逐步理解琳達所背負的命運。

在操作與玩法上，維持第三人稱視角為主，並加入系列代表性的「Iris Phone」系統。透過琳達的手機在第一人稱與第三人稱之間切換，利用鏡頭捕捉、辨識甚至對抗靈體，這也是系列最具辨識度的核心機制之一。遊戲採用非線性的生存恐怖設計，地圖在白天與夜晚會呈現截然不同的樣貌，部分事件與謎題也會隨時間與進度改變。必須在探索過程中管理資源、解開環境謎題，並在惡靈不斷騷擾下保持冷靜。與前作相同，戰鬥並非爽快取向，而是充滿限制與壓迫感，讓玩家更傾向於觀察、閃避與理解靈異規則，而非正面硬拚。遊戲同時引入更多與「靈界」相關的機制，讓琳達能短暫進入不可見的世界，解鎖新的路徑與謎團，也進一步強化現實與異界交錯的恐怖感。

視覺與氛圍表現依舊是本作的核心魅力。場景設計大量取材自印尼鄉村、校園、舊宅與宗教空間，搭配陰暗色調、詭異光影與突如其來的靈體現身，營造出濃厚的在地恐怖氛圍。音效設計同樣關鍵，低沉的環境聲、耳語般的呢喃與突發的聲響不斷刺激玩家神經，使恐懼更多來自心理層面而非單純的驚嚇演出。此外，遊戲中可蒐集並記錄各種鬼魂與都市傳說，逐步填滿手機內的「Ghostpedia」，這不僅是收集要素，也讓玩家更深入理解每一種靈體背後的文化與故事。

市場評價方面，雖然目前尚未正式發售，但從公開資訊與系列過往口碑來看，已受到恐怖遊戲愛好者與亞洲文化題材玩家的高度關注。系列一直以「非好萊塢式恐怖」著稱，強調壓抑氛圍、地方傳說與文化陌生感，這正是許多玩家認為最具吸引力之處。支持者期待本作能在保留原有精神的同時，改善前作在操作流暢度與技術層面上的不足。部分玩家則抱持觀望態度，希望新作能在恐怖節奏與敘事完成度上更成熟。不過整體而言，本作被視為印尼恐怖遊戲的重要代表作之一，有望再次在全球恐怖遊戲圈中掀起話題。

整體來說，《小鎮驚魂 3》是深植於東南亞文化土壤的生存恐怖冒險遊戲，透過琳達的成長與黑暗使命，帶領玩家走入一個現實與靈界交錯、充滿未知與禁忌的世界。它不追求快速刺激的恐怖，而是透過探索、氛圍與文化意象，慢慢累積不安與壓力。對於喜愛心理恐怖、亞洲都市傳說，以及重視世界觀與氣氛塑造的玩家而言，這將是一段值得期待、也需要勇氣面對的黑暗旅程。

DreadOut 3 is a third-person horror adventure game developed by Indonesian indie studio Digital Happiness, and the official sequel in the DreadOut series. It is scheduled for release on PC (Steam) in 2026. Continuing the franchise’s signature horror style rooted in Southeast Asian—particularly Indonesian—urban legends and folk beliefs, this installment further elevates its atmospheric presentation and world-building depth, aiming to create a larger, more unsettling supernatural world with stronger psychological tension.

In terms of story, the game once again centers on the series’ protagonist, Linda. After the events of the previous titles, she is no longer merely an ordinary girl caught up in paranormal incidents, but a being entrusted with the role of the “Keeper of the Dark.” The narrative follows Linda as she ventures into an interdimensional “rabbit hole” in order to preserve the fragile balance between light and darkness, searching for the source of an unseen power that is silently eroding the world and threatening its order. This journey is no longer confined to a single town; instead, it spans the human world and the spirit realm, taking players through cursed villages, abandoned buildings, and otherworldly spaces. The storytelling retains the series’ hallmark approach, piecing together a horror narrative rich in religious symbolism, human darkness, and local folklore through environmental hints, fragmented clues, supernatural encounters, and symbolic events. Players gradually come to understand the heavy destiny that Linda carries, driven by both unease and curiosity.

Gameplay continues to focus on a third-person perspective, while preserving the iconic “Iris Phone” system that defines the series. By using Linda’s smartphone, players can switch between first-person and third-person views, using the camera to detect, identify, and even confront spirits—one of the franchise’s most recognizable core mechanics. The game adopts a non-linear survival horror structure, with environments that change dramatically between day and night, and certain events and puzzles that evolve based on time and progression. Players must manage limited resources, solve environmental puzzles, and remain calm under constant harassment from malevolent spirits. As in previous entries, combat is intentionally restrictive and oppressive rather than empowering, encouraging observation, evasion, and an understanding of supernatural rules instead of direct confrontation. New mechanics related to the spirit realm allow Linda to temporarily enter the unseen world, unlocking new paths and mysteries while further reinforcing the unsettling overlap between reality and the other side.

Visuals and atmosphere remain central to the game’s appeal. Environments draw heavily from Indonesian rural areas, schools, old houses, and religious spaces, combined with dark color palettes, eerie lighting, and sudden apparitions to create a distinctly local sense of horror. Sound design plays an equally crucial role, with low ambient noises, whispered murmurs, and abrupt audio cues constantly heightening tension, making fear stem more from psychological pressure than from simple jump scares. Players can also collect and document various ghosts and urban legends to fill the in-game “Ghostpedia” on Linda’s phone, a feature that goes beyond collection by offering deeper insight into the cultural background and stories behind each spirit.

Regarding market reception, although the game has yet to be released, it has already attracted strong attention from horror fans and players interested in Asian cultural themes, based on available information and the series’ established reputation. DreadOut has long been praised for its “non-Hollywood-style” horror, emphasizing oppressive atmosphere, local myths, and cultural unfamiliarity—qualities many players find especially compelling. Supporters hope the new entry will retain the series’ core spirit while addressing past issues related to control responsiveness and technical polish. Others remain cautiously optimistic, expecting more refined pacing and stronger narrative cohesion. Overall, DreadOut 3 is widely regarded as one of the key representatives of Indonesian horror games, with strong potential to once again spark discussion within the global horror gaming community.

In summary, DreadOut 3 is a survival horror adventure deeply rooted in Southeast Asian culture. Through Linda’s growth and her dark使命, it draws players into a world where reality and the spirit realm intertwine, filled with the unknown and the forbidden. Rather than pursuing fast-paced shocks, the game builds dread gradually through exploration, atmosphere, and cultural symbolism. For players who appreciate psychological horror, Asian urban legends, and carefully crafted world-building, this promises to be a dark journey worth anticipating—and one that demands courage to face.