Heartworm

Vincent Adinolfi · DreadXP

Released: Jul 31, 2025
Platforms
Last updated: 15 Sep 2026, 13:35 GMT

Updates & announcements

20 posts

22 Jul 2026Developer post
Minor bug fix - Involuntary movement bug finally fixed
- Fixed a rare but very annoying and game breaking issue that only affected some users, where the character would move in circles/on their own. This bug was extremely difficult to catch because I was never able to reproduce it on my own. When a player commented about it recently,
10 Oct 2025Developer post
Unity Security Update/Small Bug Fix Patch
Hi all, Due to the recently found potential security vulnerability in some Unity versions ( ) I had to update the engine version, so that is the main focus of this build. I don't believe the game was effected, but I updated just to be safe. I did some testing, but there is the po
Hi all,
Due to the recently found potential security vulnerability in some Unity versions (https://unity.com/security/sept-2025-01) I had to update the engine version, so that is the main focus of this build. I don't believe the game was effected, but I updated just to be safe. I did some testing, but there is the possibility that this introduces unexpected issues. I hope it's not the case but please let me know if you find anything weird.
Other bug fixes include:
Fixed player controls issue after LTS update - Enabled "input consumption" which is a new project setting that was added by the LTS update
Fixed camera mods being deleted if you saved/loaded while camera was unequipped or stored in item box
Fixed face material not changing in spider outro cutscene for certain costumes (i.e. tapekeeper costume)
Fixed Statue enemy damage hitbox not being disabled sometimes after defeating them
Thanks,
Vincent
Original post
02 Oct 2025Developer post
Save/Load Hotfix
An issue was reported where sometimes loading the game would lead to a black screen. A player submitted their save file and I was able to solve the issue - turns out there was a minor reference error I had missed when adding the new camera mod. This hot fix should solve it. Thank
29 Sep 2025Developer post
Heartworm 1.1 Update
Hey Everyone! The Heartworm 1.1 Update is here! You can grab it for 15% off right now during the Steam Autumn sale. You can also now purchase the game’s soundtrack - featuring 60 original songs written for the game. As previously mentioned, with this update, there is a new, optio
Hey Everyone!
The Heartworm 1.1 Update is here! You can grab it for 15% off right now during the Steam Autumn sale.

You can also now purchase the game’s soundtrack - featuring 60 original songs written for the game.

As previously mentioned, with this update, there is a new, optional increased difficulty called “Challenge” mode, with a new costume reward upon completion. This will require much stricter management of resources and more careful decision-making in regard to when to fight or flee. (The original, normal difficulty of the game still exists, of course.)

There are also a number of other additions and changes, outlined below:
Patch Notes
Gameplay:
Introduced Hard/Challenge mode, selectable at the pre-game menu.
Challenge mode: Increased static enemy HP by 25%.
Challenge mode: Static Enemy slow chance increased to 50% (from 25%).
Challenge mode: Significantly less health and ammo spawns; the camera bag is not accessible.
Challenge mode: The Deer boss increased HP by x1.75.
Beating the game on Challenge mode now unlocks baseball skin.
Introduced Long Exposure(charge) mod in the chess puzzle in the cave behind the waterfall in the Wilderness.
Increased minimum charge mod damage from 5 to 10.
Increased max charge mod damage from 40 to 50.
Added visual particle FX for charge mod attack.
Added an icon on the camera sprite to signify when the charge mod is equipped.
Clean up the enemy dog's behaviour
Reduced The Unchained enemy run speed from 5.72 to 5
The Unchained enemy fov reduced from 180 to 45
Fixed the Deer boss not roaring at the start of the fight
The Deer boss: fixed the footprint spawner not spawning footprints after the cutscene
Removed the shelf from the yellow Office hall to further avoid traffic jams.
Final Boss Fight Adjustments:
Gears now come in from the sides, forcing the player into the center, removing the "safe" areas until the sweep attack, when the gears retract.
TK Slam attack order is now randomized, but a light red warning circle appears to telegraph the location of the attack.
Increased frequency of falling brick attacks.
Changed visuals for fireballs.
Reduced the amount of film given in the final boss fight from 24 to 12.
Localization:
Credits updates
Fixed some missing loc
Added missing dialogue to subtitles in gallery 4 - third and fourth lines were not showing up as subtitles
UI/UX:
Fixed the incorrect map trigger in the Wilderness clearing
Fixed menu/bg image offset while in a 4:3 aspect ratio on the pre-game difficulty select menu
Fixed change tabs (Q/E) not working when opening map from Inventory
Fixed the map system, changing the area progress of the previous scene area
Fixed softlock when rebinding keyboard after starting rebind with controller
Added difficulty to the ranking screen
Removed inaccessible area from parking map sprite
Additional Bug Fixes:
Attempt to fix the rare elevator softlock
Fixed flash lingering (camera to flashlight exploit)
Attempt to fix the rare aiming stuck bug
Reworked gallery VOs to use the same VO sequences that are used elsewhere
Fixed the gallery word puzzle, sometimes acting strangely when solving while the voiceover is active.
Fixed infinite mod/combining issue when a camera was already modded and combine was used
Fixed credits camera easing into the first camera - added camera blend to make sure it cuts instead
Removed voiceover trigger from solving attic door and added it to a trigger earlier in the attic room that plays when Sam has the complete emblem or both parts in her inventory
Removed confusing train barrier flavor text on the left side of the scene
Ranking scene minor adjustments
The electric pole missing map trigger has been fixed
Added interruption state to the scene fade animator in an effort to solve a rare issue where the scene would not fade in
Fix the empty subtitle bar popping up when subtitles are disabled
Office table collider in the meeting room layer changed so you can shoot through it
Player pushing while aiming fixed
Fixed Watermill collision issue in front of waterfall, nav mesh rebaked
As always,
thank you so much for playing and for your feedback. I really appreciate every single one of you for taking a chance on this game I put my all into.

-Vincent
Original post
22 Sep 2025Developer post
The Heartworm 1.1 Update Release Date
Hey Everyone! The 1.1 Update is coming soon with a 15% discount for Heartworm - due out September 29th to coincide with the Steam Autumn sale. The main feature included is a new, optional increased difficulty called “Challenge” mode, with a new costume reward upon completion. Thi
Hey Everyone!
The 1.1 Update is coming soon with a 15% discount for Heartworm - due out September 29th to coincide with the Steam Autumn sale. The main feature included is a new, optional increased difficulty called “Challenge” mode, with a new costume reward upon completion. This will require much stricter management of resources and more careful decision-making in regard to when to fight or flee. The original, normal difficulty of the game still exists, of course. Other notable features included in this update:
A new camera mod to find: Long Exposure,
Updates to the final boss fight to make it more challenging and more in line with the initial vision,
Enemy balance adjustments,
Steam trading cards,
Various minor bug fixes and other tweaks,
Also, alongside this update will come the much-requested official release of the Heartworm Soundtrack! I’m really excited to finally be able to share that with everyone who has been asking. Finally, I want to again thank everyone who has played, reviewed, and supported the game so far. The reception has been so much better than we could have anticipated, and it’s so awesome to hear how much people have enjoyed our game. I read every review (for better or worse) and appreciate all the feedback. Please, as always, feel free to let me know on Steam or Discord your thoughts, and I can’t wait for you to play the update.

Thanks,
Vincent View game pageCheck out the soundtrack: View game page
Original post
14 Aug 2025Developer post
Heartworm Update - Version 1.0.4f7
Hey everyone! We wanted to thank everyone so much for your continued support during the launch of Heartworm. Seeing everyone's reception to the game has been amazing. While Vincent and team are hard at work on a content patch that will add things like a harder difficulty mode...a
Hey everyone!
We wanted to thank everyone so much for your continued support during the launch of Heartworm. Seeing everyone's reception to the game has been amazing. While Vincent and team are hard at work on a content patch that will add things like a harder difficulty mode...and more, a new patch is out now with various bug fixes and quality of life tweaks. The full patch notes are below. We will continue to monitor for bugs, and if you haven't already, make sure to leave a review!
Patch Notes
Bugfixes
Various puzzle fixes
Various map fixes
Fixed various typos
Fixed an issue where players could soft lock themselves behind shelves in the abandoned house basement
Various texture, trigger, and collision fixes in the Neighborhood
Fixed Subway pillar colliders
Fixed some lighting issues in the Wilderness
Fixed Hospital puzzle text cutoff in certain languages
Fixed lighting in the Funeral Home and Save Room
Fixed the yellow Office corridor file interaction
Fixed a specific enemy not spawning in the Neighborhood
Fixed an issue where the archive chess game would override the bedroom chess result
Fixed mine track collision in Caves
Fixed incorrect door placement in the Neighborhood map
Removed respawning antiseptic near cave exit
Fixed Chapter 5 subtitle issue
Fixed an issue where the waterfall would sometimes not remain open after solving piano puzzle
Fixed a Chapter 5 fixed camera angle placement issue
Fixed an issue where the Tapekeeper boss stun animation would sometimes not trigger
Fixed an issue where a tree blocked a camera shot in Woods intro cutscene
Quality of Life Updates and Minor Adjustments
Added "Camera" volume slider for camera flash audio
Steam Deck now defaults to its native resolution
In the Warehouse, Chase sequence no longer resets when you leave and return
Improved loading time in Caves
Lowered volume of wilderness intro/outro cutscenes
Added glow to save room computers
Increased intensity of subway flickering hint light
Updated credits and credit sequence
Improved balancing for Ending Ranking requirements
Original post
31 Jul 2025Developer post
Heartworm is available now!
It still feels kind of unbelievable that this day is here. It's hard to express how grateful I am to even have been given the chance to get this far. This all started because I posted a few screenshots online, after years of wondering why I post anything online - but for some rea
31 Jul 2025Developer post
Heartworm Launch Stream
Celebrate the launch of Heartworm with Phoebe as they stream the first hour of the game! You can check them out on YouTube at:
10 Jul 2025Developer post
Heartworm Release Date Announcement!
If you had told me years ago, On the night I sat down in my apartment and created the " unityGame1 " project, that this same project would be releasing as a full fledged game - I would have never believed you. (Player model and scene are from 2019/2020) (Sam and the sign from lat
25 Feb 2025Developer post
Heartworm Release Window
Hey everyone! At IGN Fan Fest, we showed off a brand new trailer for Heartworm , along with some very exciting news. Heartworm launches in Spring 2025! Social Links: Vincent Adinolfi's Twitter Vincent Adinolfi's Bluesky DreadXP Socials
Hey everyone!
At IGN Fan Fest, we showed off a brand new trailer for Heartworm, along with some very exciting news.
Heartworm launches in Spring 2025!
Watch on YouTube
Social Links:

Vincent Adinolfi's Twitter

Vincent Adinolfi's Bluesky

DreadXP Socials
Original post
21 Dec 2024Developer post
End of Year Development Update
Hey Everyone! As we close out the year and move towards the launch of Heartworm next year, we wanted to start showing off more of the game to get everyone excited for Sam's journey through the unknown. Demo Update In case you missed it, we refreshed the demo after PAX to include
Hey Everyone!
As we close out the year and move towards the launch of Heartworm next year, we wanted to start showing off more of the game to get everyone excited for Sam's journey through the unknown.
Demo Update
In case you missed it, we refreshed the demo after PAX to include the new boss fight and make the demo experience a better representation of the game. This latest version features improved textures from the original demo, the ability to enhance your camera with mods, and, most excitingly, a chance to play one of the boss fights from the game.
Let's get a look at what we're here to talk about.
Welcome to the Neighborhood
If you've played either version of the demo, you're likely very familiar with The Neighborhood. But did you know there are still areas left to explore?
When Sam enters Platt St. Deli, the rush of memories is instant. The store is so familiar—the shelves lined with cereal, the scent of fresh-cut meat, the soft chime of the bell above the door. This was where her Grandfather once worked, and Sam has so many fond memories of this place. But being back here now, she can't seem to find those fond memories; instead, she only feels the sadness as she's reminded yet again of what he's gone.
Static Wraith
The Static Wraiths shudder and warp as they trudge, their shifting masses of discordant distortion ceaselessly pulsing to an unnatural rhythm. They wander, ever emitting their mournful hum, the fading echoes of memories slipping away. Each one, visitor lost to this place—every flicker and buzz an an echoing reminder of loss- of refusal to let go.
The Static Wraith attacks by releasing a flow of static. As the static flows over Sam, it slows their movement. The longer Sam is caught in the static, the more sluggish she becomes. The Wraith uses this moment to close the gap, forcing Sam to overcome the static and fight back before it can strike.
Social Links:

Vincent Adinolfi's Twitter

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DreadXP Twitter

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DreadXP Discord
Original post
14 Oct 2024Developer post
Heartworm Demo Playthrough & Dev Interview with Vincent and Soavecito
Visit the store page to watch an interview with Vincent from Soavecito , where he discusses the game's development process and the challenges of crafting an immersive nineties horror experience. Thanks for checking out our new demo! Don't forget to add us to your Steam wishlist f
14 Oct 2024Developer post
NEW Steam Next Fest Demo OUT NOW!
With the start of Steam Next Fest, Heartworm gets a brand new demo featuring an updated look at the neighborhood and a chance to take on the Spider Boss! There are some new secrets to uncover that will make your journey easier, so be vigilant and take in your surroundings! What's
With the start of Steam Next Fest, Heartworm gets a brand new demo featuring an updated look at the neighborhood and a chance to take on the Spider Boss!
There are some new secrets to uncover that will make your journey easier, so be vigilant and take in your surroundings!
What's in Store(Page)
Visit the store page to watch an interview with Vincent from Soavecito, where he discusses the game's development process and the challenges of crafting an immersive nineties horror experience.
Thanks for checking out or new demo, and be sure to Wishlist us on Steam for more future updates!
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1257030/Heartworm/
Social Links:

Vincent Adinolfi's Twitter

DreadXP Tiktok

DreadXP Twitter

DreadXP Youtube

DreadXP Instagram

DreadXP Discord
Original post
16 Sep 2024Developer post
Post-PAX Development Update!
Hey Everyone! It's been a while since we've updated everyone on the progress that's been made in Heartworm , so we wanted to keep you all in the loop! PAX West Demo In case you missed it, we showcased a fresh, updated demo at PAX! This new version featured improved textures from
Hey Everyone!
It's been a while since we've updated everyone on the progress that's been made in Heartworm, so we wanted to keep you all in the loop!
PAX West Demo
In case you missed it, we showcased a fresh, updated demo at PAX! This new version featured improved textures from the original demo, the ability to enhance the camera with mods, and, most excitingly, a thrilling boss fight from the game.
Check out the Wilderness
In addition to showcasing the demo, we also wanted to give you a glimpse of some new environments you'll be able to explore in the game beyond The Neighborhood!
During Sam's journey, they will find themselves lost in the dense Wilderness. What truths wait down the trail?
As a comparison, here's a screenshot showing the pixelated filter on/off
"I was so happy to be able to show off the new demo at PAX West and even more so to watch people enjoy it. Admittedly I am always pretty nervous showing off the game, but that melted away so quickly as I met and talked to everyone who is excited about Heartworm. A lot of you had positive things to say and great feedback - it's really inspiring to hear how excited people are for this game and how passionate they are about the genre. Can't wait to show you more." - Vincent.
Social Links:

Vincent Adinolfi's Twitter

DreadXP Tiktok

DreadXP Twitter

DreadXP Youtube

DreadXP Instagram

DreadXP Discord
Original post
06 Feb 2024Developer post
Publisher Found / Kickstarter / 2025
Hey everyone! You have no idea how excited I am to be writing this update. I can finally announce that Heartworm has a publisher again - DreadXP! They're a perfect match for our game, and will be supporting us to bring Heartworm to PC. There was a while there where I thought I mi
25 Oct 2023Developer post
Updates / Misfortune / Kickstarter coming soon
Hey all - happy ~1 year anniversary of the demo and thanks to everyone who has played it, followed, wishlisted, or even looked at the game. Since that release we acquired a publisher who was going to help fund, port, market, and localize Heartworm - so I could make it even better
29 Nov 2022Developer post
Demo *Final* Update - 4.1
saving/loading working as intended found files viewable from inventory reworked emblem puzzle so you can't just guess it as soon as you enter the level anymore :) made the game harder, removed a lot of items and changed their placement made enemies health more varied, and added m
saving/loading working as intended
found files viewable from inventory
reworked emblem puzzle so you can't just guess it as soon as you enter the level anymore :)
made the game harder, removed a lot of items and changed their placement
made enemies health more varied, and added more feedback when you damage them
gave sam an injured state as well as a visual cue for when she takes damage
changed controls to feel a bit more natural (inventory is also cancel, changed it to circle)
fixed typo
new music
new sfx
minor interaction and content additions
bug fixes
Original post
02 Nov 2022Developer post
Demo Patch 2.2.2
- fixed inventory/pause menu lock bugs - added chapter select to main menu - removed broken achievement - did i mention i added quick turn? - very small interaction and content additions
01 Nov 2022Developer post
Heartworm Demo no longer limited
Due to demand, I will not be taking down the demo. Thank you, Vincent
21 Oct 2022Developer post
Limited Time Demo - Steam Scream Fest
I'm excited to announce this limited time demo of Heartworm for the Steam Scream Fest. You'll be able to play a brand new demo of the game between October 25th to November 1st. Play it... if you dare - then let me know what you think. Love, Vincent P.S. - A permanent demo will co

Updates & announcements

Hey Everyone!

Gameplay:

As always,

Hey Everyone!

Hey everyone!

Patch Notes

Bugfixes

Quality of Life Updates and Minor Adjustments

It still feels kind of unbelievable that this day is here.

I want to thank everyone who worked on the game:

Finally, I want to thank my friends and family for their years of support.

If you had told me years ago,

Against all odds,

Heartworm launches in Spring 2025!

Social Links:

DreadXP Socials

Demo Update

Welcome to the Neighborhood

Static Wraith

Social Links:

What's in Store(Page)

Social Links:

PAX West Demo

Check out the Wilderness

Social Links: