Recent reviews by edtchy

Inspired by the infamous real-life Inunaki Tunnel, known for its dark history and supernatural legends. As noted in the game's About Section, it is primarily a "walking simulator" with puzzle-solving elements and a VHS film aesthetic that enhances its immersive, eerie atmosphere. Players will navigate through a handful of unsettling moments and uncover mysteries. The game offers multiple endings and is designed to evoke a sense of isolation and psychological tension.

Hanako | 花子さん by Chilla's Art is a psychological horror game inspired by the Japanese urban legend of Hanako-san, set in a creepy school environment. Players navigate the unsettling halls, encountering ghostly threats as the story unfolds. Unlike some other titles from Chilla's Art, this game doesn’t rely on puzzles but instead features minimalistic combat functions, adding a different layer to the experience. The focus remains on atmosphere and tension, with a retro style that enhances the eerie mood. Other than Hanako-san, you will also face other Yokai: Dodomeki, Jorogumo, and Kubinashi.

In Japanese folklore, Hanako-san is the spirit of a young girl who haunts school restrooms, particularly the third stall of the third-floor bathroom. Her legend is a form of urban ghost story popular among school children. To summon her, one must knock three times and ask if she is present. If she responds, it is said that she will appear, and the encounter can be either benign or terrifying, depending on the version of the story.

The Dodomeki is characterized by its long arms covered with numerous bird-like eyes. In stories, it is often portrayed as a cursed woman whose greed led to the transformation. This creature is said to have a habit of stealing money and can be a warning against avarice. It’s a prominent figure in Japanese mythology and often appears in various forms of media and literature as a symbol of misfortune or moral lessons.

The Jorogumo is often depicted as a spider that can transform into a beautiful woman to lure and trap humans. The name "Jorogumo" means "binding bride" or "entangling bride." According to legend, she uses her deceptive charm to seduce her victims before ensnaring them in her webs and devouring them. This shape-shifting spirit is typically associated with mountain areas or old houses, where she waits for unsuspecting travelers. The Jorogumo is a popular figure in tales of caution, emphasizing danger hidden beneath beauty.

The Kubinashi, also known as the "headless yokai." It appears as a person whose head is mysteriously missing or detachable, yet it continues to live and move as if normal. In some stories, the Kubinashi's head may appear to float separately from its body or only detach at night. This yokai is often considered a spirit of the restless dead or a being cursed due to some unresolved issue, adding a haunting aspect to its lore in Japanese mythology.

A minimalist psychological horror game where strange events unfold on a late-night train. Like other Chilla’s Art titles, the game emphasizes atmosphere through its eerie environments and unsettling tone. It includes two puzzles, providing some interaction amid the haunting story. While minimal in gameplay, the immersive atmosphere and slow unraveling of the mystery keep you on edge throughout the experience.

While the game excels in building tension, I found the walking animation somewhat distracting. The player's point of view bobs up and down, which detracts from the immersion and made the experience less enjoyable. This movement feels unnatural and takes away from the otherwise atmospheric setting.

The Closing Shift | 閉店事件 is a Japanese horror game by Chilla's Art, where you take on the role of a late-night coffee shop worker. The game’s slightly unsettling atmosphere builds tension through eerie, seemingly mundane tasks and minimalistic design. The VHS-style visuals amplify the psychological horror as you experience strange, disturbing events. It's a slow-burn.

The game builds a slightly eerie atmosphere, revealing a dark secret through a few unsettling moments. With minimal horror elements, it is approachable for players who prefer lighter, narrative-driven experiences. The focus is on story and atmosphere rather than scares or exploration, as you eventually learn that the unsettling events are caused by a Karasu Tengu.

The game starts off feeling minor, but the moment you dive into the ocean, there’s a magical sense of wonder, quickly followed by a feeling of terror as you progress. It’s a beautiful balance of exploration and fear, and while you eventually overcome your initial worries, the creatures of the deep should never be taken lightly. The gameplay offers a decent balance, but the unreliable scanner can be frustrating—it often fails to scan essential items properly, leaving you stuck with incomplete progress. Despite this, when the game functions as intended, the experience is smooth and immersive.

The world-building is impressive at first. You’re struck by the vastness of the ocean and its secrets, but as the game progresses and you become familiar with your surroundings, the world starts to feel smaller. Still, the story is well-paced and doesn’t overshadow the core survival mechanics. You can choose how deeply to dive into the lore while simply trying to survive, which keeps things engaging without feeling forced.

Graphically, the game starts with a somewhat cartoonish feel, reminiscent of Astroneer or No Man’s Sky, but this style becomes fitting as you play. It doesn’t detract from the overall experience and feels more appropriate the longer you explore. The sound design is solid—there’s some well-done voice acting throughout—but I can’t comment much on the music, as I turned it off early on.

In addition to the scanner bug, I encountered another issue where, after starting a new save, I kept finding the same fragment repeatedly, which made progression nearly impossible. These two bugs could use some polish, even after all these years.

One standout feature is how the game forces you to manage the depths of the ocean, adding a new challenge to survival as you navigate through its different layers. Additionally, the lack of typical weaponry—aside from a mostly harmless knife—creates a unique atmosphere where you can't just overpower your foes. Instead, you learn to master the environment and its creatures.

Read the 'About this Game' section.

Combines psychological horror with atmospheric exploration. Interact with odd customers, uncover dark secrets, and experience multiple endings as you navigate through unsettling environments.

"There's no milk..."
In Japan, drinking milk after bathing at an Onsen is a ritual that developed over 50 years ago; the practice originated in Sento, which were public bathhouses commonly used before most households had their own bathtubs.

This game feels like a perfect blend of Deus Ex and BioShock, offering a tactical yet action-packed experience. The combat is flexible, allowing players to approach situations with some tact or go in guns blazing. The world is rich with lore, making it feel alive as you continue to uncover secrets.

You'll find a small variety of weapons, that are effective; with abilities, adding to the familiar format, but with some fresh mechanics. The combination of alien abilities and a dense, lore-heavy environment ensures that encounters and exploration can be unique and engaging.

Exploration is rewarding as the game excels in environmental storytelling. Carefully crafter details that contribute to the overall lore, with well-placed clues and hidden areas to be discover, without being overwhelming. The "puzzles" in the game require both logical thinking and creativity, making some of them a natural and satisfying part of the experience.

The sound design is another highlight, immersing you in a tense atmosphere where ambient noises, some eerie silences, and sudden audio cues all contribute to the feeling of being in a living, breathing world. This, combined with the rich world-building, encourages you to delve deeper into the game’s history and mysteries. Also, some of the music tracks like the title screen are oddly satisfying.

The game also offers like a dozen endings, if not more, providing a variety of conclusions based on your choices throughout the story. While the endings might feel a bit underwhelming, they serve as a clear example of how a branching narrative can be handled effectively—showing how a game like Mass Effect 3 could have delivered more satisfying and varied conclusions.