A short, atmospheric horror experience about a day in the life of a psychopath.
Download the free desktop build, or watch a spoiler-free preview first.
Browser play is not available. The official Windows and Linux download is free on itch.io.
The One Behind You — affectionately called TOBY by its community — is an intimate
psychological horror experience. It builds sustained tension through close, personal interactions rather than cheap scares:
quiet rooms that turn uncomfortable, conversations that drift sideways, and the creeping sense that something is just out of sight.
As you move through the story, dialogue choices shift the tone of every scene in ways you won't always see coming.
The game rewards patience — play it slowly, with the sound up, and let the atmosphere do the work.
For full context, the developer recommends playing Stay With Him and Play With Him as companion pieces.
How to Play
Four steps to the other side.
The game runs on Windows or Linux. Setup takes about two minutes — the experience itself, fifteen to thirty.
01
Download
Grab the free Windows or Linux build from itch.io. No accounts, no installers beyond the unzip.
02
Unzip & launch
Extract the archive and run the executable. The game opens straight into the experience — no menus to fuss with.
03
Read & listen
Let the story unfold. Audio carries as much dread as the visuals — headphones are strongly recommended.
04
Make your choices
Small shifts in dialogue change the tone of a run. There are multiple endings — come back and see what you missed.
First-Run Tip
Play it in a dark room, with headphones on, sound turned up. The pacing is the point — rushing through defeats the design.
Why it works
Slow-burn dread, dialed all the way up.
Intimate Horror
No distant monsters here — just you and something you can't quite see. The tension stays close.
Meaningful Choices
Small dialogue shifts change the entire tone of a run. Every word matters in ways you won't expect.
Careful Pacing
Plays best slowly. Patience is rewarded with deeper immersion and a dread that builds to a point.
Replay Value
Different paths reveal different truths. What you see once isn't the whole picture — come back for more.
Walkthroughs & community
Watch a preview. Then decide for yourself.
Community-made runs of The One Behind You. Start with one, or use the full walkthrough after your first playthrough.
Pick up where you left off — —
BONDING WITH MY STRANGE SON // The One Behind You Full Gameplay Indie Horror
Made a walkthrough? Tag @your-channel on YouTube — high-quality, spoiler-tagged guides get promoted to the front of this wall.
Screenshots
A visual look at what awaits.
A quiet moment that turns uncomfortable fastDark corridors hide more than you realizeSomething is always behind youYour choices shape everything
FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
Can I still play The One Behind You in my browser?
No — the in-browser version of this site has been retired. To experience the game yourself, download the free Windows or Linux build from Santiago Garcia's itch.io page. If you'd rather watch first, the gameplay walkthrough at the top of the page is the full playthrough.
Is The One Behind You free to play?
Yes. The Windows and Linux builds are name-your-price on itch.io — including free. The developer is an indie creator; donations are appreciated but never required.
How long is the game?
A single playthrough takes roughly 15–30 minutes depending on reading speed and exploration. Multiple endings give it solid replay value for a short.
What platforms is The One Behind You on?
Windows and Linux, both downloadable from itch.io. There is no console or mobile release at this time.
Does the game contain jump scares?
Almost none. The horror is psychological and atmospheric — the dread builds slowly, with rare moments of release. Headphones and a dark room are recommended.
An independent developer crafting atmospheric horror experiences that focus on psychological tension
over conventional scares. TOBY is part of a small interconnected universe — try
Stay With Him and Play With Him for more context.
