Last year, developer Otherworld Interactive and tinybuild’s stealth horror game Hello Puppets: Midnight Show made its debut during Steam Next Fest. And while it didn’t reach its release date last year, the team is still hard at work getting it out the door, as evidenced by the new trailer that introduces you to some of the puppets you’ll be encountering (and fleeing).

Aiming now for a 2022 release on Steam, Hello Puppets: Midnight Show is a prequel to Hello Puppets! VR (which is also available on Steam). Taking place in 1987, you are Owen Gubberson, a master puppet maker, and creator of “Mortimer’s Handeemen,” a Muppets knock-off that’s unfortunately on the verge of cancellation. You decide to bring your creations to life using magic. However, as one might expect from this sort of thing, the puppets turn out to be the sadistic and evil types, and they have “plans” for you. You have one night to reverse the spell and escape the Handeemen Sound Stage alive.

Hello Puppets: Midnight Show employs a “dynamic Hide and Seek” mechanic against AI that hunts you and forces you to learn its behavior and adapt. You’ll also have to contend with four distinct AI bosses with their own unique behaviors, personalities, and narratives. The levels themselves will be “full of tools” to use against the puppets, as well as hiding spots, and pieces of a larger narrative that you’ll have to work to put together.

And just because you’re hidden, doesn’t mean you get to take it easy. Hello Puppets: Midnight Show‘s hiding mechanic will have you on your toes, requiring you to hold your breath through minigames and challenges.