You cannot manually turn off the flashlight in The Crimson Hunt. In the third-person survival horror game developed by Farelas, there is currently no designated keybind, controller button, or gameplay settings toggle to extinguish your standard light source. The exploration beam remains active automatically as you guide Victoria and Eleanor through the dark corridors of the secluded Victorian mansion.

Steam Community Requests for a Flashlight Toggle

The inability to turn off the light has been a notable talking point among players on the official Steam Community forums. In player feedback threads—such as one titled "Would be nice to have option to turn off flashlight"—users pointed out that having the light constantly on removes some of the tension and atmosphere from the dark environments.

In classic survival horror design, cutting the light often allows players to creep past threats in pitch darkness or enhance visual dread. Because Farelas designed the game with an emphasis on darkness, limited visibility, and resource scarcity, many players assumed a manual switch would be available. However, in both the public demo and the initial launch builds, the persistent beam cannot be toggled.

Flashlight Mechanics and the Ultraviolet Light

While the standard exploration beam cannot be switched off at will, light plays an active functional role in combat and exploration throughout the mansion:

  • Environmental Visibility: Darkness hides traps, environmental mechanism clues, and lurking ghouls. The default light ensures players can spot puzzle symbols—such as safe combinations and interactable quest items—without becoming completely disoriented.
  • Ultraviolet Stun Mechanic: In addition to standard navigation lighting, the game features a dedicated ultraviolet flashlight mechanic. As shown in the official Steam achievement list ("My Eyes, My Eyes!"), players can use the ultraviolet flashlight to stun aggressive creatures during encounters.
  • Co-op Utility: In local split-screen co-op, secondary tools and light mechanics help manage crowd control, allowing one player to temporarily disable threats while the other lines up shots or conserves scarce ammunition.

Will a Manual Toggle Be Added in a Future Patch?

Developer Farelas operates as a solo developer and has actively pushed post-launch hotfixes to address community feedback, such as resolving performance hitches, shortening scene loads, and clarifying early puzzle riddles.

While the developer has addressed upcoming additions—such as delaying character outfits to polish them for a future major content update—there has not yet been an official announcement confirming a dedicated toggle switch for the flashlight. If you want to see a flashlight toggle implemented in an upcoming patch, submitting feedback directly through the game's Steam Community discussion hub is the most direct way to alert the developer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a keybind or controller button to turn off the flashlight?

No. There is no controller or keyboard binding mapped to turn off the flashlight in either single-player or co-op play.

Does the flashlight attract enemies in The Crimson Hunt?

The reference materials do not indicate that the standard exploration light alerts or draws enemies. Stealth takedowns are available (such as for the "Smooth Hunter" achievement), but remaining hidden depends on positioning rather than extinguishing your light.

How do you get the "My Eyes, My Eyes!" achievement?

You unlock this achievement by using the ultraviolet flashlight to stun enemies a total of 10 times during combat encounters.