The Panopticon: Challenge fellow inmates to duels for a chance at freedom

Mashing psychological horror with gambling mechanics seems to be a recipe for success in modern gaming, and The Panopticon gameplay loop follows suit, but with its own unique twist. Our breakdown of The Panopticon will prepare you for the trials and tribulations the first-person strategy game will have to throw at you.

A Panopticon is a circular prison with cells placed around a central watchtower. The idea emerged in the late 18th century as a way for prisoners to be observed at all times, which was difficult for guards to do, but it made inmates act as if they were always being watched. The Panopticon game sees you become an inmate in a similar facility that plays on its eeriness by forcing you to engage in deadly duels against masked opponents.

What is The Panopticon?

The Panopticon demo begins in a mysterious facility, where you have been enrolled in a Voluntary Exit Initiative. How did you get there? Who knows, but in order to qualify for your scheduled release, you must achieve a total of 15 competitive victories in sanctioned trials.

You face off in duels that follow similar rules to rock, paper, scissors, but with more danger since the decisions you make are centered around a gun that is strapped to your hand. The game consists of the main stage and the ability card stage, which alternate throughout the rounds. The game begins with the main stage, where you will select your moves from a touch screen device. 

The Panopticon features three options: you can either shoot your opponent, block, or get ammo. Since you and your opponent will make your decisions at the same time, you’ll have to predict their actions based on their previous choices. Only one bullet is loaded into your weapon at a time, so if your opponent decides to shoot while you’re getting ammo, you will be hit. Blocking at the right time is essential, but you can only block three times back-to-back.

When you enter the ability card stage of The Panopticon game, you can visit the cards section of your device to see the buffs you can deploy. Each ability card has a numerical value attached to it, meaning when both players use an ability card, only the card that has the lowest value out of the two will be activated. The Star card, for example, is valued at 17, and it grants immunity from all damage for three turns. 

Even though that perk is powerful, 17 is a high number, so it isn’t guaranteed that it will be played if your opponent selects a lower-scoring ability card. Other ability cards include The Emperor, which turns the next requested bullet into one that’s armor piercing, and The Tower, which can see your foe lose all their ammo and active abilities. 

For a little personalization while you’re in The Panopticon gambling for your escape, you can customize the mask your character wears. Adjust the eye and mouth shape, select a background color for the mask, and choose a color for your digital facial features.

To beat The Panopticon game, you must be the last one standing in the duel. The vitals of both players begin at four, and whoever reaches zero first is eliminated. The Panopticon supports single-player against an AI and online multiplayer that allows you to search for a trial session, start a trial with a friend, or create your very own trial session. 

Who is the developer of The Panopticon?

The Panopticon developer is an indie studio, ATLANTION. Founded in 2024, The Panopticon is set to be their first game. The demo made its debut as part of Tiny Teams 2025, an annual Steam event that showcases games created by small studios. To take part in the strategic duels offered by the trials, you can purchase the game on PC via Steam at launch.

When will The Panopticon be released?

The Panopticon release date was December 16, 2025. Making it a fitting (albeit dark) game for the holiday season. The balance of luck and strategy makes for an ideal game to pick up and play against your friends in an atmosphere that can provide memorable moments.

How long does it take to beat The Panopticon demo?

A round in The Panopticon takes approximately 15 minutes to complete, but there’s an abundance of replayability. Multiplayer support is in the demo, meaning you can challenge your friends as much as you’d like. 

No two rounds are the same because you’ll have to adapt your strategy based on the cards you are randomly assigned and the moves your opponent is making. Although the demo already showcases the game’s core features, the full experience will include story progression. 

The full game is now available, so we recommend exploring what the duelling title has to offer in full. It was one to watch in its initial build-up window in mid-December, famed for its dark idea, clean art style, and addictive gameplay loop; The Panopticon is certainly one to play this year.