The Skin Stapler Wiki
The Skin Stapler is a retro-styled PSX grindhouse horror adventure set in the rotting, crime-soaked sprawl of Carrion City. Players follow jaded detective Dick Slater and his eager rookie partner Robbie Knox as they hunt a mysterious serial killer known only as The Skin Stapler.
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About the game
The Skin Stapler is a retro-styled PSX grindhouse horror adventure developed by Tainted Pact and published by Assemble Entertainment. It released on Aug 6, 2026 for $14.99 on Steam as a complete game, not an early access title.
You play as Dick Slater, a jaded detective, and his eager rookie partner Robbie Knox, investigating a mysterious serial killer known only as The Skin Stapler. The hunt takes you through Carrion City, a rotting, crime-soaked sprawl that matches the game's grindhouse horror tone.
Key facts at a glance:
- Developer: Tainted Pact
- Publisher: Assemble Entertainment
- Release date: Aug 6, 2026
- Price:$14.99
- Genres: Action, Indie
- Features: Single-player, Steam Achievements, Family Sharing
The game is single-player only, with no co-op, no multiplayer, and no demo. If you are looking for a partner to play with, this is not that kind of experience.
Quick links
Use these pages to dive deeper into specific topics:
- Getting started guide
- first steps and chapter order
- Achievements guide
- all
- System requirements
- minimum and recommended
- Chapter walkthroughs
- full campaign progression
- FAQ
- common questions about purchase,
Getting started
The campaign is built around chapter-based progression. Each completed chapter typically unlocks a Steam achievement, and the story moves from early crime scene work into deeper layers of Carrion City's underworld.
Notable chapter milestones:
- The Burrows Apartment
- the opening chapter, completion awards "FeFe - Master Baiter"
- The Carrion City PD
- early investigation, awards "Dick Slater - Big D"
- The Aftermath chapters - four parts plus a final chapter that run through the middle of the story
- The Closing In
- late campaign chapter
- The Final Cutscene
- reach it to unlock "Robbie Knox - Mind Officially Blown"
While playing through the story, interact with the "Thank You" note in Dick Slater's office. Doing so unlocks the "Skin Successfully Stapled!" achievement, and it is easy to miss if you rush out of the office early.
There are 16 achievements total at launch. Most are tied to completing chapters, while one asks you to fix The Skin Stapler Tapes and another asks you to reach the final cutscene. Check the achievements guide for the full list and conditions.
System requirements
Minimum configuration:
- OS: Microsoft Windows 10
- Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo 1.8GHz / AMD Athlon X2 64 2.4GHz
- Memory: 4 GB RAM
- Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 760 or higher
- Storage: 2 GB available space
Recommended configuration:
- OS: Microsoft Windows 10
- Processor: Intel Core i5-9600K 3.70GHz or equivalent
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 or higher
- Storage: 2 GB available space
Both setups require a 64-bit processor and operating system. If your machine hits the recommended tier, the PSX-style visuals should run comfortably; the minimum tier keeps the game playable at lower hardware levels.
If you are new to the title, start with the getting started guide for a spoiler-light overview of the opening hours, then move to the chapter walkthroughs once you know where you want help.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When does The Skin Stapler release?
The Skin Stapler releases on August 6, 2026.
How much does The Skin Stapler cost?
The Skin Stapler costs $14.99.
Who is developing and publishing The Skin Stapler?
The Skin Stapler is developed by Tainted Pact and published by Assemble Entertainment.
What genre is The Skin Stapler?
The Skin Stapler is an Action and Indie game.
What is the story of The Skin Stapler?
The Skin Stapler is a retro-styled PSX grindhouse horror adventure set in Carrion City. Players follow jaded detective Dick Slater and his rookie partner Robbie Knox as they hunt a mysterious serial killer known as The Skin Stapler.
