A Kazakhstani game developer is preparing to release a horror visual novel, «Five-Star Courier and the Fog That Reeks of Death,» on Steam. The story unfolds in a mystically transformed version of Almaty. Kursiv LifeStyle takes a look at what is known about the project.
The game’s protagonist is Alan, a 22-year-old delivery worker with just two days left to repay his loan. At the same time, a mysterious fog carrying the stench of death engulfs Almaty, erasing the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead. To pay off his debt and earn a five-star rating in the delivery app, Alan keeps taking orders, even as each delivery becomes increasingly dangerous.
The game features real-life locations across Almaty. Among them are the Kazakhstan Hotel, the Ykhlas Museum of Folk Musical Instruments and even the abandoned half-constructed building near the Sayran reservoir, which has since been demolished.
The game’s description says the developer drew inspiration from Almaty’s urban legends as well as Kazakh and broader Turkic folklore. For instance, players will encounter Zheztyrnak — a mythical creature from Kazakh and broader Turkic folklore, commonly portrayed as a vampire-like woman with long copper claws.
«Five-Star Courier and the Fog That Reeks of Death» is a visual novel focused on story, dialogue and player choices. The game takes about an hour to complete and features multiple endings.
The game was created entirely by one person — Vsevolod Solovyov (ZarUmbra), who was responsible for the story, programming, visuals, sound and design.
The game is currently available to play for free in a browser and supports multiple languages, including English. The Steam release is planned for the third quarter of 2026. The developer also revealed plans to release a follow-up with an expanded story.
