Italian Fishing Horror Game 'Loan Shark' Launches on Xbox | Quick Digest
Studio Ortica's psychological horror game, 'Loan Shark,' has launched on Xbox Series X/S, bringing its unique blend of Italian folklore, debt-driven narrative, and atmospheric fishing horror to a wider audience. The game, previously released on PC, offers a concise yet impactful 30-minute experience.
Loan Shark, an Italian indie horror game, arrives on Xbox Series X/S.
Developed by Studio Ortica, the game features psychological fishing horror.
Explores themes of debt, hopelessness, and surreal choices in a 30-minute experience.
Draws inspiration from Northern Italian storytelling traditions.
Game earned 'Very Positive' reviews following its PC release.
Xbox launch expands its reach beyond its initial Steam release.
The critically acclaimed psychological horror game, 'Loan Shark,' developed by the Italian indie studio Studio Ortica, has officially launched on Xbox Series X/S. This release follows its initial debut on PC via Steam on August 8, 2025, where it garnered a "Very Positive" reception from players and critics alike, with approximately 83% of reviews being positive.
'Loan Shark' immerses players in a grim narrative as an angler burdened by overwhelming debt. During a seemingly routine night at sea, the protagonist encounters a mysterious talking fish, Cagliuso, who offers a path to wealth but at a profound, unsettling cost. The game masterfully crafts its horror not through jump scares or combat, but through a pervasive atmosphere of obligation, time pressure, and the quiet dread of inescapable debt, embodying a unique form of 'Italian horror.' Its thematic depth is rooted in Northern Italian storytelling traditions, which often focus on inevitability and moral dilemmas where choices, though present, never truly feel free.
Designed as a concise and impactful experience, 'Loan Shark' is intended to be completed in a single sitting, lasting roughly 30 minutes. This short but potent playtime allows the game to deliver its twisted cautionary tale about desperation and the consequences of bad deals without overstaying its welcome. Its expansion to Xbox Series X/S on January 13, 2026, signifies a broader reach for this unique indie title, allowing more players globally to experience its unsettling mood and focused narrative.
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