Developer Secrets & References
The developers of Gloomwood left their fingerprints all over the game. Here are the most interesting secrets.
The "New Blood" reference. In the police station, there is a wanted poster on the wall that reads "WANTED: Dead or Alive — The Postman." This is a reference to another New Blood Interactive game, "POSTAL." The poster is in the station's main lobby, behind the front desk. It is easy to miss because it blends in with the other posters.
The "Dusk" reference. In the mansion's library, there is a book on the shelf titled "Dusk: A History of the Occult." This is a reference to "DUSK," another New Blood game. The book is interactable — reading it gives you a unique message: "The night grows long, and the darkness stirs." This is a direct quote from DUSK's promotional material.
The developer room. In the factory, there is a hidden room behind a false wall in the maintenance area. Inside, you will find a desk with a computer that displays "Gloomwood Dev Build v0.1" and a note that reads "If you are reading this, you are in the wrong place. Please report this bug." This is a meta-joke about players finding developer-only areas. The room also contains a unique weapon — the "Dev Pistol" which has infinite ammo but deals only 1 damage per shot.
Environmental Lore Storytelling
Gloomwood tells its story through environmental details. Here is what you may have missed.
The plague origin. Throughout the city, you find posters and newspaper clippings about a plague that swept through. The plague is the reason for the military occupation. But if you read the doctor's notes in the hospital, you discover the plague was man-made — it was a bioweapon experiment that got out of control. The military is not here to help; they are here to cover up the evidence.
The resistance movement. In the sewer system, there is a hidden safe room with a radio and maps marked with patrol routes. This is the resistance's hideout. The notes on the table reveal that a small group of civilians is fighting back against the military occupation. The resistance can provide you with supplies and information if you find their hidden caches throughout the city.
The truth about the Cathedral. The Cathedral is not a place of worship — it is a research facility disguised as a church. The basement contains laboratories, holding cells, and evidence of human experimentation. The "priests" are actually scientists in robes. The final boss is not a religious figure — it is the result of their experiments, a creature created from combining human subjects with eldritch essence.
Missable Items & Equipment
Several powerful items in Gloomwood are easy to miss. Here is where to find them.
The "Shadow Cloak." Reduces enemy detection range by 50%. Found in the mansion's master bedroom, in the wardrobe. The wardrobe is interactable — you need to open it and search the back panel to find the cloak. Most players open the wardrobe, see clothes, and close it without searching thoroughly.
The "Silent Boots." Eliminates all footstep noise. Found in the guard barracks, under the bed in the last room. The boots are hidden under a pile of dirty laundry. You need to interact with the laundry pile to find them. The barracks are in the mansion's east wing.
The "Medical Kit." Restores 50 HP instantly. Found in the hospital's emergency room, in the locked medicine cabinet. The key is in the doctor's office, in the top drawer of his desk. The Medical Kit is a one-time use item — save it for boss fights.
Fun Easter Eggs & References
Here are some fun easter eggs that are worth seeking out.
The "Thief" reference. In the mansion's study, there is a book titled "The Lost City" on the desk. Reading it gives the message "You feel a strange sense of deja vu." This is a reference to the "Thief" series, which heavily influenced Gloomwood's stealth mechanics. The book is a nod to the "Lost City" mission from Thief: The Dark Project.
The "Half-Life" reference. In the factory's maintenance area, there is a crowbar stuck in a ventilation shaft. Examining the crowbar gives the message "It would be a shame to leave this here." This is a reference to Half-Life's iconic crowbar. The crowbar is usable as a melee weapon — it deals 30 damage and can open certain locked doors.
The "cat" easter egg. There is a cat that appears in random locations throughout the game. If you find the cat in all 4 locations (mansion, streets, factory, Cathedral), you unlock a secret achievement. The cat does nothing gameplay-wise — it is just a fun easter egg for observant players. The cat's locations are: the mansion's kitchen, the streets' alleyway, the factory's break room, and the Cathedral's pews.