SAW: Genesis Unveils First Gameplay — 3v1 Multiplayer Horror Inspired by the Saw Franchise

SAW: Genesis, an asymmetrical multiplayer horror game based on the iconic Saw film series, has received its first gameplay reveal from Broken Mirror Games, Anshar Studios, and publisher Bloober Team. In this 3v1 experience, three players take on the roles of the Accused, desperately trying to escape, while a fourth player becomes the Judge, the mastermind behind deadly traps. Set after World War I — about a century before the events of the original films — the game gives developers room to craft their own origin for the franchise's infamous trials. SAW: Genesis already has a Steam page where players can learn more and add it to their wishlist.

Matches take place on procedurally generated maps, ensuring each session features a new layout of corridors, rooms, and trap placements. Rounds are brief and intense, requiring the Accused to solve dangerous puzzles, search for keys, and escape before time runs out. The developers have drawn direct inspiration from the moral dilemmas and brutal traps that define the Saw films.

The Judge, a new character inspired by Jigsaw's philosophy but not John Kramer himself, can set traps in advance, use secret passages, and track the Accused using a noise map. However, the Judge is physically vulnerable — if the survivors work together, they can overpower and neutralize their tormentor.

A signature mechanic forces players caught in traps to make a brutal choice: sacrifice a limb to escape or wait for teammates to attempt a rescue. These injuries have lasting consequences, slowing the character and hindering their ability to repair mechanisms or solve puzzles for the rest of the match.

The Early Access version will launch with two playable Judges (including a former surgeon) and four Accused. By full release, the roster will expand to five Judges, eight Accused, and additional locations. SAW: Genesis is expected to arrive in Early Access on Steam by the end of 2026. Players can already sign up for closed alpha testing via the official website. Minimum system requirements include Windows 11, an Intel Core i5-14400F processor, 16 GB RAM, and a GeForce RTX 3070. The developers plan to keep the price unchanged between Early Access and the full release, unless substantial new content is added.

How do you feel about the mechanic where players must sacrifice limbs for survival, and the possibility of teaming up to take down the Judge?