View source for Agony (2018 video game)


{{Infobox video game
| italic title = 
| title = Agony
| image = Agony 2017 pre-release Steam.jpg
| alt = <!-- See WP:ALT -->
| caption = 
| developer = Madmind Studio
| publisher = PlayWay<br />Forever Entertainment <small>(Switch)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/agony-switch/|title=Agony|publisher=Nintendo.com|access-date=5 May 2021}}</ref>
| series = 
| engine = [[Unreal Engine 4]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Agony|title=Agony – PCGamingwiki}}</ref>
| platforms = {{Unbulleted list|[[PlayStation 4]]|[[Windows]]|[[Xbox One]]|[[Nintendo Switch]]}}
| released = {{Unbulleted list|'''PS4''', '''Windows''', '''Xbox One'''|29 May 2018|'''Nintendo Switch'''|31 October 2019}}
| genre = [[Survival horror]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
| director = Tomasz Dutkiewicz
| producer = {{Unbulleted list|Krzysztof Kostowski|Jakub Trzebiński}}
| designer = {{Unbulleted list|Jakub Grabka|Wojciech Babiński|Tomasz Dutkiewicz}}
| programmer = Daniel Witek
| artist = Tomasz Dutkiewicz
| writer = Tomasz Dutkiewicz
| composer = Draco Nared
}}

'''''Agony''''' is a 2018 [[dark fantasy]] [[survival horror]] video game developed by Polish developer Madmind Studio and published by PlayWay. Players begin their journey as a tormented soul within the depths of [[hell]] without any memories about his past. The special ability to control people on their path, and possess weak-minded demons, gives players the necessary measures to survive in the extreme conditions they are in.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.playway.com/10004-games/519-agony|title=Playway – Agony|publisher=Playway.com|access-date=24 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161124221420/http://www.playway.com/10004-games/519-agony|archive-date=24 November 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> The game received generally unfavorable reviews.

== Gameplay ==
The game is played from a [[first-person (video games)|first-person]] perspective. The player controls one of the martyrs condemned to hell, [[Amraphel]] (aka [[Nimrod]]) tasked with meeting the Red Goddess, one of the creators of hell, in an effort to escape and return to the land of the living. Unlike other martyrs, the player possesses the unique ability to possess both other martyrs and, later in the game, lesser and higher demons, giving them access to special abilities. Using mechanics such as crouching and holding their breath, the player can avoid demons. Besides hiding, the player needs to solve puzzles in order to unlock new areas. There are available hidden statues that the player can collect, as well as paintings which are possible to discover.

== Plot ==
{{more plot|date=June 2018}}

The story follows a lost soul trapped in hell without any memory of his former life. From what is revealed of the protagonist's backstory, he was a king of an ancient land who made a [[Deal with the Devil|Faustian bargain]] with the Red Goddess. In-story, he is referred to as both [[Nimrod]] by the goddess and [[Amraphel]] by other condemned souls, some of whom still have their memories, blaming the protagonist for them being damned to hell because of the acts he committed while alive. As the protagonist wanders through the wastelands of hell, he discovers a possibility of escaping through the aid of the Red Goddess. Determined, he travels to the Red Goddess' lair to learn how he can be set free.

If the player obeys the Red Goddess's commands, they will ultimately venture to the lowest depths of hell, provoking a creature known only as the [[The Beast (Revelation)|Beast]]. Sufficiently wearing down the Beast, the protagonist is able to possess it, using its power to break the seals binding it to the lower depths. Satisfied, the Red Goddess reveals herself as the [[Whore of Babylon]] and vows to use the Beast to begin the Apocalypse. The protagonist is returned to the living world, per his deal, only to be killed by the Beast moments later as the Red Goddess begins her conquest of Earth, leaving the player's soul to return to hell.

The story features multiple other endings, dependent on how the player progresses and the choices they make. However, only two of these are canonical.

== Development ==
=== Concept and fundraiser ===
The first concept video was created by Tomasz Dutkiewicz in 2015. His vision was inspired by [[Dante's Inferno]] and his research into the topic. The popularity of his video encouraged him to create another one with his colleagues which helped "explain the original vision and atmosphere of the game". With the help of fans and investors, he created ''Madmind Studio'' and development began in January 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://wccftech.com/agony-interview-game-length-inspiration/ |title=Agony Interview – Devs Talk About Horror Game's Length, Inspiration, VR Edition and Possible Switch Port |website=Wccftech |date=14 March 2018 |access-date=2025-01-30 |archive-date=31 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250131150132/https://wccftech.com/agony-interview-game-length-inspiration/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In November 2016, the developers of ''Agony'' started a [[Kickstarter]] campaign to fund the creation of the game. The Kickstarter campaign surpassed its goal and ended in December 2016.<ref name=Date /> The game was originally scheduled for a release on 30 March 2018, but was delayed to 29 May 2018.<ref name=Date>{{cite web|title=New details about the release date|publisher=[[Kickstarter]]|url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1752350052/agony/posts/1899371|access-date=23 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619175352/https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1752350052/agony/posts/1899371|archive-date=19 June 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Development ===
In January 2017, ''Madmind'' CEO Tomasz Dutkiewicz, in an interview with GamingBolt, explained they felt [[horror games]] "lost their uniqueness" by increasingly focusing on action and traditional themes, eventually becoming "[[Video game clone|clones]] of others, bringing nothing new to the genre", so they wanted to "go back to the roots of horror" by choosing Hell as setting. [[Divine Comedy]]'s detailed descriptions inspired the visuals but the team could not rely only on well-known concepts if they wanted to surprise the player. [[First-person (video games)|First person perspective]] was chosen for its immersion, well established in "[t]itles like [[Outlast]] or [[Amnesia: The Dark Descent|Amnesia]]".  At this point [[Nonlinear_gameplay#Branching_storylines|multiple endings]] were only considered. The team's experience with [[Unreal Engine 4]] made it a natural choice for development. Dutkiewicz estimated the release in the "[s]econd quarter of 2017".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://gamingbolt.com/agony-interview-the-evolution-of-inferno |title=Agony Interview: The Evolution of Inferno |website=GamingBolt |access-date=2025-01-30 |archive-date=30 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250130110028/https://gamingbolt.com/agony-interview-the-evolution-of-inferno |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Content rating and release ===
To avoid receiving an "[[List of AO-rated video games|Adults Only]]" (AO) rating from the [[Entertainment Software Rating Board|ESRB]] (which would make it impossible to fulfill the Kickstarter campaign's promise that ''Agony'' would be released for the [[PlayStation 4]] and [[Xbox One]], since the makers of those consoles disallowed AO-rated games), the developers modified some of the content, aiming for a "[[Entertainment Software Rating Board#Ratings|Mature]]" (M) rating.<ref name=TechSpCen/> They promised that nothing seen in previews or trailers for ''Agony'' would be censored, that they would immediately release an optional [[Patch (computing)|patch]] for the PC version that would restore any censored content, and that Kickstarter backers who chose to receive a PlayStation 4 or Xbox One version could switch their reward to the PC version if desired.<ref name=TechSpCen>{{cite web |last=Jeffrey |first=Cal |title=Madmind Studios will censor horror game Agony to appease ESRB |url=https://www.techspot.com/news/74281-madmind-studios-censor-horror-game-agony-appease-esrb.html |website=Techspot |access-date=7 November 2025 |date=April 23, 2018}}</ref>

However, the planned patch was later dropped due to "legal issues".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pcgamer.com/hellish-horror-game-agony-will-be-slightly-toned-down-uncensored-patch-plan-dropped/ | title=Hellish horror game Agony will be slightly toned down, 'uncensored' patch plan dropped | publisher=PC Gamer | date=28 May 2018 | accessdate=28 May 2018 | author=Chalk, Andy | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529130116/https://www.pcgamer.com/hellish-horror-game-agony-will-be-slightly-toned-down-uncensored-patch-plan-dropped/ | archive-date=29 May 2018 | url-status=live }}</ref> On 6 June 2018, the developers said they were "talking with [[Steam (service)|Steam]] representatives" about offering ''Agony Unrated'', an updated version of the game with the censored content restored, as "a separate title produced and published by Madmind Studio and without the involvement of any publishers."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://steamcommunity.com/games/487720/announcements/detail/1648761723383113903|title=Agony :: Agony Unrated!|date=6 June 2018|access-date=13 June 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714102803/https://steamcommunity.com/games/487720/announcements/detail/1648761723383113903|archive-date=14 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Agony Unrated'' was released on Steam on 31 October 2018. It contains various quality of life improvements such as updated graphics and character models, new gameplay mechanics and enemies, and new endings. Those who backed the Kickstarter campaign received ''Agony Unrated'' for free, and those who already owned the original game could purchase ''Agony Unrated'' for a 90% discount, with the developers explaining, "We are aware that the premiere of our first game was disappointing for many players, as numerous technical errors and censored content effectively distracted from the game."<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Agony Unrated officially confirmed, will be cheap for existing owners |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/agony-unrated-officially-confirmed-will-be-cheap-for-existing-owners/ |magazine=PC Gamer |date=22 October 2018 |access-date=5 January 2021 |archive-date=23 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223033950/https://www.pcgamer.com/agony-unrated-officially-confirmed-will-be-cheap-for-existing-owners/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Other versions ===
On 5 September 2018, Madmind Studio announced a partnership with Forever Entertainment to bring ''Agony'' to [[Nintendo Switch]]. It was released on 31 October 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/10/first-person_survival_horror_game_agony_will_torment_switch_this_halloween|title=First-Person Survival Horror Game Agony Will Torment Switch This Halloween|website=Nintendo Life|date=16 October 2019|accessdate=16 October 2019|archive-date=17 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191017003955/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/10/first-person_survival_horror_game_agony_will_torment_switch_this_halloween|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 6 November 2020, Ignibit announced their partnership with Agony developer MadMind Studio to bring the game to [[Virtual reality|VR]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://uploadvr.com/agony-vr-announced/|title=Agony VR Version Confirmed|website=UploadVR|date=9 November 2020|accessdate=9 November 2020|archive-date=14 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914133139/https://uploadvr.com/agony-vr-announced/|url-status=live}}</ref> It was released on 5 April 2023.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1654170/ |title=Agony VR |website=[[Steam (service)|Steam]] |access-date=2025-01-29}}</ref>

== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 47/100 (PC)<ref name="PC">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/agony/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title=Agony for PC Reviews|website=Metacritic|access-date=31 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180602031458/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/agony|archive-date=2 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><br />37/100 (PS4)<ref name="PS4">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/agony/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4|title=Agony for PS4 Reviews|website=Metacritic|access-date=31 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180605191828/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/agony|archive-date=5 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><br />34/100 (XONE)<ref name="Xbox">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/agony/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one|title=Agony for Xbox One Reviews|website=Metacritic|access-date=31 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503115417/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-one/agony|archive-date=3 May 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
| GI= 3.5/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Gwaltney|first=Javy|date=30 May 2018 |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/agony/b/pc/archive/2018/05/30/the-worst-version-of-hell.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180601222155/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/agony/b/pc/archive/2018/05/30/the-worst-version-of-hell.aspx|url-status=live|archive-date=1 June 2018|title=Agony |publisher=[[Game Informer]] |access-date=20 October 2019}}</ref>
| GameRev= 2.5/5<ref>{{cite web|last=Faulkner|first=Jason|date=18 June 2018|url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/398363-agony-review-a-hellish-experience|title=Agony Review – A Hellish Experience|publisher=[[Game Revolution]]|accessdate=20 October 2019|archive-date=22 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622233142/https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/398363-agony-review-a-hellish-experience|url-status=live}}</ref>
| GSpot = 3/10<ref name="gspot_review">{{cite web |last=Jagnaeux |first=David |date=31 May 2018 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/agony-review-a-captivating-disappointment/1900-6416919/ |title=Agony Review: A Captivating Disappointment |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=20 October 2019 |archive-date=14 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914111759/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/agony-review-a-captivating-disappointment/1900-6416919/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| IGN = 4/10<ref name="ign_review">{{cite web|last=Saltzman|first=Michael|date=31 May 2018|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/05/31/agony-review|title=Agony Review|publisher=[[IGN]]|accessdate=20 October 2019|archive-date=20 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020133552/https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/05/31/agony-review|url-status=live}}</ref>
| JXV= 6/20<ref>{{cite web |date=4 June 2018 |url=http://www.jeuxvideo.com/test/854250/agony-un-veritable-chemin-de-croix.htm |title=Agony : un véritable chemin de croix |publisher=[[Jeuxvideo.com]] |accessdate=20 October 2019 |lang=fr |archive-date=14 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914130450/https://www.jeuxvideo.com/test/854250/agony-un-veritable-chemin-de-croix.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
| EuroG = 7/10<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.it/agony-recensione |title=Agony - recensione |website=[[Eurogamer]] |language=it |access-date=2025-01-28 |archive-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326222054/https://www.eurogamer.it/agony-recensione |url-status=live }}</ref>
| MS = 6/10<ref>{{cite web |url=https://as.com/meristation/2018/06/20/analisis/1529478000_176225.html |title=Análisis Agony |website=[[MeriStation]] |date=27 June 2018 |language=es |access-date=2025-01-28 |archive-date=28 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250128162001/https://as.com/meristation/2018/06/20/analisis/1529478000_176225.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

''Agony'' was met with "generally unfavorable reviews", according to [[Metacritic]].<ref name="PC" /><ref name="PS4" /><ref name="Xbox" />

''IGN'''s David Jagneaux described the game as a combination of ambitious horror art and repetitive gameplay. "[B]old and detailed environments depict Hell in the most nightmarish ways possible" with "graphic obscenity" that is "grotesquely appealing to horror-loving gamers" but its overuse of gore eventually makes the player desensitized to the experience. He explained: "you really can reach a point where all [...] starts to look the same and it no longer bothers you". The gameplay also has its shortcomings: "save points are scattered sporadically", slow movement and repetitive tasks. Critical information about the possession system is not communicated clearly which leads to frequent deaths and retries, making the game longer than its content would require. "This eight to 10-hour journey could have been cut in half without losing any of the meat."<ref name="ign_review"/>

''GameSpot'''s Justin Clark also recognized the game's depiction of Hell as a "breathtaking achievement" calling it a "[[heretical]] province of terror" with architecture that is a "pulsating [[Gothic architecture|gothic]] nightmare". Enemy design is "disapponting and predictable" compared to the world: [[Doom (video game)|Doom]]-like demons and stereotypically sexual female variants with bad voice acting. Clark also noted the slow movement, difficult sneaking and challenging enemies that lead to frequent deaths. These issues are not helped by the rarity of [[Saved_game#Checkpoints|checkpoints]]: "Agony treats basic progressional milestones the way most games treat obscure collectibles." Navigational difficulties, searching for objects and backtracking add to the repetitiveness of the game, during which the player "grows numb" to the "grim wonder that strikes you in the beginning".<ref name="gspot_review"/>

''[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]]''{{'}}s [[Yahtzee Croshaw|Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw]] in his ''[[Zero Punctuation]]'' review referred to it as "liquidized offal". He specifically criticized the unforgiving stealth mechanics as well as the game's overuse of gore, stating: "... environments are simultaneously too busy and extremely boring; turn things up to eleven and stay there, and it's just as dull as staying at one."<ref>{{cite web|last=Croshaw|first=Ben "Yahtzee"|date=13 June 2018|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bsx-dKWNy0&list=PLAbMhAYRuCUhawCEV2oXZGrienoKTN16X&index=277|title=Agony (Zero Punctuation)|website=YouTube|accessdate=7 November 2025}}</ref> He later ranked it as the second worst game of 2018.<ref>{{cite web|last=Croshaw|first=Ben "Yahtzee"|date=2 January 2019|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sid8xgIkcdo|title=2018's Best Worst and Blandest|website=YouTube|accessdate=7 November 2025}}</ref>

[[Famitsu]]'s Brzrk noted similarities to ''[[Alien: Isolation]]'', but found the game's subject matter and unfamiliar religious viewpoints hard to understand, even with reading some of the subtitles. Though he found the gameplay disappointing, he lauded the depiction of hell and liked the game as a work of art.<ref name="Famitsu20180702">{{Cite magazine |date=2 July 2018 |title=E48M1: スゴい地獄描写と、悩ましいステルスゲーム部分の板挟みな『Agony』 - BRZRKの「うるせー洋ゲーこれをやれ」（仮） {{!}} ゲーム・エンタメ最新情報のファミ通.com |url=https://www.famitsu.com/matome/brzrk/Agony.html |accessdate=10 April 2022 |magazine=[[Famitsu]] |language=ja |trans-title=E48M1: Agony is a torn between amazing depictions of hell and annoying stealth gameplay |archive-date=10 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410054104/https://www.famitsu.com/matome/brzrk/Agony.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{clear}}

== Spin-off games ==
{{Timeline of release years
| title = Releases timeline
| 2018a = '''''Agony'''''
| 2018b = ''Agony Unrated''
| 2019 = ''Agony'' ([[Nintendo Switch|Switch]])
| 2020 = ''Succubus: Prologue''
| 2021 = '''''Succubus'''''
| 2022 = ''Succubus - Red Goddess (DLC)''
| 2023a = ''Agony VR''
| 2023b = '''''Paranoid'''''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/946920/PARANOID/ |title=PARANOID product page |website=[[Steam (service)|Steam]]}}</ref>
| 2024 = '''''Nymphomaniac'''''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gog.com/en/game/nymphomaniac_sex_addict |title=Nymphomaniac product page |website=[[GOG.com]]}}</ref>
| 2025 = '''''Tormentor'''''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1493440/TORMENTOR/ |title=TORMENTOR product page |website=[[Steam (service)|Steam]]}}</ref>
}}

Madmind produced various horror themed games whose connection to the original title vary.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/38524349 |title=Madmind Studio (company page) |website=[[Steam (service)|Steam]] |access-date=2026-02-22}}</ref>

A spin-off game titled '''Succubus''' was announced by Madmind in December 2018. It centers on playing a succubus, Vydija, as she seeks revenge and a task set by Nimrod: gather Baphomet's tongue.<ref>{{cite news |work=GameTyrant |url=http://gametyrant.com/news/madmind-studio-announces-agony-spin-off-game-succubus |first=Dean |last=Clark |date=31 December 2018 |title=Madmind Studio Announces Agony Spin-Off Game, SUCCUBUS |quote=In this Agony spin-off game, you will be in control of a Succubus whose goal is to take reclaim their kingdom, rather than the original goal of escaping hell by any means necessary. |archive-date=10 April 2021 |access-date=10 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410231501/http://gametyrant.com/news/madmind-studio-announces-agony-spin-off-game-succubus |url-status=live }}</ref> In July 2020, ''Succubus: Prologue'', a free demo was made available.<ref>{{cite news |work=Bloody-Disgusting.com |title='Agony' Sequel 'Succubus' Now Has a Demo |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/video-games/3625012/agony-sequel-succubus-now-demo/ |first=Mike |last=Wilson |quote=There's still no release date for the main game, but Succubus: Prologue puts you in the hoofed feet of Vydija, a succubus (and Queen) that is currently seeking revenge on Baphomet, a demon planning to usurp Nimrod, the current ruler of Hell. |archive-date=14 April 2022 |access-date=10 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220414124500/https://bloody-disgusting.com/video-games/3625012/agony-sequel-succubus-now-demo/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The final game was released in October 2021.<ref name="steam">{{cite web |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/985830/SUCCUBUS/ |title=SUCCUBUS |website=[[Steam (service)|Steam]] |access-date=2025-01-29 |archive-date=28 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250128091635/https://store.steampowered.com/app/985830/Succubus/ |url-status=live }}</ref> As of January 2025 the game has attracted little attention from critics but user scores on Metacritic<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/succubus/ |title=SUCCUBUS Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=2025-01-29}}</ref> and Steam<ref name="steam"/> indicate much improvement over ''Agony''. The ''Red Goddess'' [[downloadable content|DLC]] added two new levels to the story in Dec 2022.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/2119922/Succubus__Red_Goddess/ |title=Succubus - Red Goddess |website=[[Steam (service)|Steam]] |access-date=2025-01-30 |archive-date=9 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250609074853/https://store.steampowered.com/app/2119922/Succubus__Red_Goddess/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A Switch port was announced to be in development by Console Labs.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://nintendoeverything.com/first-person-slasher-succubus-planned-for-switch/ | title=First-person slasher Succubus planned for Switch | date=27 December 2021 | access-date=15 December 2022 | archive-date=15 December 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215152417/https://nintendoeverything.com/first-person-slasher-succubus-planned-for-switch/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://nintendolink.com/2021/12/28/succubus-bringing-erotic-violence-to-switch-nsfw/ | title=Succubus Bringing Erotic Violence to Switch (NSFW) – Nintendo Link | date=28 December 2021 | access-date=15 December 2022 | archive-date=15 December 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215152426/https://nintendolink.com/2021/12/28/succubus-bringing-erotic-violence-to-switch-nsfw/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

Another spin-off game titled '''Agony: Lords of Hell''' was officially announced in December 2021. The game will be set between the events of ''Agony'' and ''Succubus'' and expands upon the fate of the protagonist of the former game and Vydija who is the protagonist of the latter.<ref>{{cite news |work=Rely On Horror |title=Madmind Studio Madnight 2021: Agony: Lords of Hell Revealed |url=https://www.relyonhorror.com/all/exclusive-madmind-studio-madnight-2021-agony-lords-of-hell-revealed/ |first=William |last=Lockwood |quote=Madmind Studio is pleased to officially present a new title from the World of Agony, entitled Agony: Lords of Hell. Developed by the internal Team Alpha, Agony: Lords of Hell depicts the events that took place between Agony and Succubus. |archive-date=8 March 2022 |access-date=8 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308041222/https://www.relyonhorror.com/all/exclusive-madmind-studio-madnight-2021-agony-lords-of-hell-revealed/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Unlike its predecessors, ''Lords of Hell'' is a [[Real-time strategy|strategy]]/[[city-building game]], inspired by the [[Populous (series)|Populous series]], in which the player assumes the role of Nimrod as king of Hell to expand his territory by commanding his army through Vydija.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1493430/Agony_Lords_of_Hell/ |title=Agony: Lords of Hell |website=[[Steam (service)|Steam]] |access-date=2025-01-29 |archive-date=21 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250321045633/https://store.steampowered.com/app/1493430/Agony_Lords_of_Hell/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A playable demo was available between 14 and 26 April 2023.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1493430/view/6207691046974238570 |title=Agony: Lords of Hell - Demo available now! |website=[[Steam (service)|Steam]] |date=14 April 2023 |access-date=2025-01-30}}</ref> In February 2024 development was put on hold in favor of another upcoming game.<ref>{{cite news |title=Important Update on the Production of Agony: Lords of Hell |website=[[Kickstarter]] |quote=We are fully committed to resuming production of Agony: Lords of Hell next year, following the release of Tormentor. |date=2024-02-14}}</ref>

In January 2026 ''Madmind'' changed its scope to publishing only,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.marketscreener.com/news/madmind-studio-to-change-scope-of-operations-ce7e59d9db89f024 |title=Madmind Studio To Change Scope Of Operations |website=MarketScreener |date=2026-01-02 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1493440/TORMENTOR/ |title=Informacje dotyczące planowanych zmian w zakresie działalności Spółki |website=[[NewConnect]] |language=Polish |date=2025-12-31 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> soon followed by the resignation of CEO Tomasz Dutkiewicz<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.marketscreener.com/news/madmind-studio-ceo-tomasz-dutkiewicz-resigns-ce7e59d9db89ff24 |title=Madmind Studio CEO Tomasz Dutkiewicz resigns |website=MarketScreener |date=2026-01-02 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> and the company filing for bankruptcy.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.marketscreener.com/news/madmind-studio-says-former-ceo-files-for-company-s-bankruptcy-ce7e58dadb89f024 |title=Madmind Studio says former CEO files for company's bankruptcy |website=MarketScreener |date=2026-01-12 |access-date=2026-02-22}}</ref> One of the company's projects, ''Sirens'', remains in development<ref>{{cite web |url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/2541950/view/528743713148502216 |title=New Mermaid Design, Official Patreon of Sirens. |website=[[Steam (service)|Steam]] |date=2026-01-21 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> at Silent Lamb Studio, another game developer founded by Dutkiewicz in 2019.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gowork.pl/silent-lamb-studio-tomasz-dutkiewicz,25966819/dane-kontaktowe-firmy |title=Kontakt - SILENT LAMB STUDIO Tomasz Dutkiewicz Wenecja |website=GoWork.pl |language=Polish |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*{{official website|agonygame.com}}
*{{IMDb title|7094154}}

[[Category:2010s horror video games]]
[[Category:2018 video games]]
[[Category:Body horror video games]]
[[Category:Censored video games]]
[[Category:Dark fantasy video games]]
[[Category:Forever Entertainment games]]
[[Category:Indie games]]
[[Category:Kickstarter-funded video games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Switch games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 4 games]]
[[Category:PlayWay games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Stealth video games]]
[[Category:Survival horror video games]]
[[Category:Unreal Engine 4 games]]
[[Category:Video games about demons]]
[[Category:Video games about the afterlife]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Poland]]
[[Category:Video games set in hell]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:Xbox One games]]

{{Wikipedia attribution|original_title=Agony (2018 video game)|access_date=2026-02-24}}