RATS is a multiplayer asymmetric horror game focused on online hide-and-seek gameplay for two to eight players on PC. Most participants act as ordinary hiders trapped in dark locations at night, while one or two others take on the role of killers selected at random or by the host. The core loop centers on locating scattered parts needed to activate a terminal and escape, all while avoiding detection in environments where audio cues replace any on-screen indicators.
Gameplay
Matches emphasize sound design and communication tools rather than visual markers or waypoints. Players carry a torch for limited visibility, a phone for calls, texts, and security camera feeds, and rely on their ears to track footsteps, doors, and whispers that travel through hallways and around corners. Closed doors muffle these sounds, creating tension as players coordinate or mislead opponents. Proximity voice chat allows conversations heard only from nearby positions, with the killer able to listen in as well. Hiders can conceal themselves in lockers, crawl through vents, or peek around corners, and they have access to limited tools such as a single taser for stunning threats or night-vision goggles for better visibility in darkness. The experience features realistic human models for hiders contrasted with distinct hand-crafted monster designs for the killers.
Nine unique killers each introduce specialized abilities that alter pursuit tactics. The Grim Reaper leaves graves that summon it with a tolling bell when stepped on. The Werewolf disguises itself among the living. The Dark exhales obscuring smoke that it can see through. Ratty deploys rats to track the nearest hider by scent. The Walk extinguishes lights and detects heat signatures from the living. The Scarecrow places motionless straw figures that activate upon discovery. The Doll winds a key to play a nursery rhyme that masks other audio while creating duplicates of itself. The Lady in White scales walls and ceilings silently. The Grand Spider constructs webs that alert it to movement. These powers encourage varied strategies across rounds.
Game Modes
The primary experience supports public lobbies or private sessions with friends only. One or two killers hunt the remaining players in a shared space, with roles assigned randomly or chosen by the host. Dead players continue observing the round from the perspective of survivors, hearing audio but limited to communicating among themselves. A deceased hider's phone remains functional under their original name for ongoing coordination. The objective remains consistent: collect and deliver parts to the terminal until the exit opens, at which point the killer becomes aware as well. No additional named modes appear beyond this core structure.
Maps and Atmosphere
Four distinct locations provide varied settings for encounters. The Office features hallways, cubicles, crawl-through vents, and a security room equipped with live cameras. Mount Minaj consists of sea cliffs at night during a thunderstorm, with caves illuminated solely by torches. The Woods include a foggy pine forest with drizzle, a sawmill, old storm drains for crawling, and a truck for potential escape. The Hotel offers a grand but long-shuttered building rendered in black and white, complete with a ballroom, guest rooms, boiler room, and chained front door. Sound propagation interacts differently with each environment, from muffled interiors to open or echoing spaces, enhancing the reliance on audio awareness.
Is It Worth Playing?
RATS suits players who enjoy asymmetric multiplayer horror centered on audio cues, coordination, and tension without reliance on visual aids or fast-paced action. The combination of proximity voice chat, sound travel mechanics, and diverse killer abilities creates replayability through emergent strategies in small groups or larger sessions. Early Access status means the game continues to receive development attention, with features like Steam achievements and leaderboards already in place. Those seeking cooperative or competitive hide-and-seek experiences with friends will find the emphasis on communication and map knowledge rewarding, particularly if they appreciate realistic character models paired with unique monster designs. Availability on PC supports both public and private play, making it accessible for regular sessions focused on the core loop of searching, evading, and escaping.