- A puzzle structure that switches between 2D and 3D using a flashlight and reconstructs space with light and shadow.
- Developed by K-Indie Studio Writers Games, participating in Steam Next Fest starting June 15
- Scheduled for release on PS5 and Steam in September 2026, a new puzzle title continuing the lineage of Superliminal and Viewfinder
An original puzzle platformer that crosses the boundaries of light and shadow is set to appear. Hong Kong publisher Game Source Entertainment (GSE) announced that ‘THANKS, LIGHT.’, a 3D puzzle platformer developed by the Korean indie studio Lightersgames, is scheduled for official release on PS5 and Steam in September 2026.
THANKS, LIGHT. is a 3D puzzle platformer that solves the space itself as a puzzle, based on a unique mechanic of manipulating light and shadow with a flashlight to switch objects between 2D and 3D. The game is garnering attention as a successor to the lineage of first-person puzzle platformers that includes Portal, Superliminal, and Viewfinder.
When light touches, the world changes… A world of spatial manipulation traversing 2D and 3D
At the heart of ‘THANKS, LIGHT.’ lies a single rule. When illuminated, the shadow becomes a three-dimensional object, and when the light is withdrawn, it returns to a flat plane.
Using only a flashlight, the player utilizes this rule to create a path and solve puzzles. Although the principle is simple, the puzzles built upon it require intuition and experimentation, leading to deep gameplay.
The game encourages player observation and reasoning rather than complex explanations. It is characterized by a design that allows players to naturally learn the rules through the process of exploring stages, viewing objects from various angles, and trying things out firsthand.
A combination of silhouette, physics, and viewpoint
The puzzle features a structure that combines physics and geometric elements, going beyond simple gimmicks. When illuminated, shadows become tangible entities with weight and collision capabilities, but when the light disappears, they revert to unrestricted planes. Players must rotate objects to create new silhouettes and materialize them to assemble the solution to the puzzle.
Additionally, elements of light reflection and refraction utilizing mirrors and lenses are added. Even the same silhouette appears in completely different forms depending on the angle, and how this is utilized acts as a key variable. A simple shadow transforms into stairs or a bridge, unfolding a gameplay that reconstructs the space itself.
Puzzle gameplay solved through intuition
What matters in the game is not fast reflexes or calculations, but ‘intuition.’ Players rotate objects from various angles to guess possibilities and arrive at the solution through repeated attempts. Failure is also designed as a natural learning process, and puzzles can be reset at any time, allowing players to continue experimenting without pressure.
Furthermore, it requires three-dimensional thinking that goes beyond simply shining a light from the front to moving positions to find new angles and combining them with platforming elements. The game creates a unique gameplay rhythm as puzzles and action naturally intertwine.
A structure where puzzles and narratives intersect
The player explores a strange space alongside a girl and attempts to escape. During this process, tension builds as the guidance of the ‘Administrator’ clashes with the warnings of a mysterious dark entity. The question of whose words to trust gradually unfolds in conjunction with the puzzle rules, adding narrative significance to the game as a whole.
The message conveyed by the work is clear: “Appearance is not everything.” In both the puzzles and the story, the player is guided to look beyond the surface to the essence.
Sensual staging completed with light and space
Lightersgames is a Korean indie team whose name means “people who shine a light,” and they focus on creating differentiated experiences through new ideas and experimental mechanics rather than following trends.
Since its release, ‘THANKS, LIGHT.’ has received praise from users through Steam demos and playtests for its “intuitive yet deep puzzle design,” and is garnering attention in some communities as a fresh spatial puzzle reminiscent of Superliminal and Viewfinder.
Furthermore, it has been consistently introduced through domestic and international indie game events and online showcases, eliciting positive responses regarding its quality and ideas, and is building anticipation among global puzzle platformer fans ahead of its official release.
The development team plans to prepare for the official launch by gathering feedback from players worldwide through their participation in Steam Next Fest. You can experience the core mechanics firsthand through the currently available free demo, and the new 60-second trailer impressively captures the visual appeal of the 2D-3D transitions.
Information regarding ‘THANKS, LIGHT.’
| item | detail |
|---|---|
| Developer | Lightersgames |
| Publisher | Game Source Entertainment (GSE) |
| Genre | 3D Puzzle Platformer / Spatial Manipulation / Portal-like |
| Release platform | PC (Steam) / PlayStation®5 |
| Scheduled official release date | September 2026 |
| Core mechanics | Switch objects between 2D and 3D states using a flashlight |
| background | Liminal Space |
| demo | Free Steam demo available |
| Next Fest | June 15, 2026 onwards participation |
| Main Keywords | Light, Shadow, Spatial Manipulation, Puzzle, Portal-like, 2D-3D Switching, Indie |
| Official Channel | Steam Community Hub |
| Steam Page | Shortcut |
