One of the best qualities in Japanese Horror is the use of atmosphere; infusing environments with a sense of dread that instills players with fear and anxiety.
I’ve been interested in looking for Japanese Horror games that speak to the chills I adore from Japanese cinema. In particular, I’ve researched titles either set in Japan or that tap into the cinematic story elements of the country’s horror films.
My research brought up one popular title I had somehow forgotten about, as well as four other games. These games not only offer suspenseful atmospheres and journeys involving the supernatural, but they all include survival horror mechanics that further immerse players into their haunting stories. So without further ado, let’s go over these five excellent Japanese Survival Horror games.
Ao Oni (2008, PC)
Ao Oni has garnered quite a cult status in Japan. This freeware game has players taking on the role of Hiroshi, a teenager who decides to check out a haunted mansion with his friends. It doesn’t take long for things to go wrong when the mansion doors lock on them and a giant Oni appears. As the Oni chases Hiroshi about the mansion, it is up to the latter to save his friends and find a way to escape.
Oni are demons in Japanese mythology and have made a number of appearances in action video games. In Ao Oni, however, the Oni is more of a haunting presence, lingering in wait and chasing Hiroshi down corridors. Players cannot fight back against it, your only option being to flee and hide. The game is a riveting play, keeping players alert for when and where the Oni may appear.
Siren (2003, PS2)
With its creepy atmosphere and story, Siren makes for an anxiety-provoking work of Japanese Horror. The game focuses on a religious group in a small Japanese village attempting to resurrect a god; in doing this, some of the villagers have turned themselves into shibito (“corpse people”). Siren tells its story through the perspective of different survivors over three days.
Immediately, one can sense that all is not right in the village. There’s an ominous air that looms over the player, letting them know that danger is nearby. With this in mind, while you can fight off the shibito, Siren pushes players towards using stealth. There’s also the use of psychic abilities that lets players hijack someone’s sight, allowing you to plan their next move.
Thanks to the grainy tone of the game’s environment, the realistic facial rendering of characters, and the overall chilling presence the story exudes, Siren is an experience full of unsettling tension.
Calling (2009, Wii)
With a haunted website and the use of cell phones, this Wii title draws a couple of similarities to films such as One Missed Call and Pulse. After the main cast is brought into an evil abyss through a chatroom, they must use their cellphones to escape. A popular combination in Japanese Horror films, such as the two mentioned previously, is that of the supernatural and technology; to further immerse players into these ideas in Calling, the Wii Remote is used at times to act like a cell phone. Players can bring the Remote to their ear, listening as ghost talk to them.
With its unique mechanics and supernaturally driven story, Calling sets up a dynamic that pays homage to some of Japan’s most significant cinematic works.
Kuon (2004, PS2)
Before the Souls games, From Software made this horror gem. One of the great elements about Kuon is its setting, taking place in Japan’s Heian-era (794 – 1185). Switching off between different protagonists, you spend a good portion of the game investigating a haunted feudal Japanese manner. Kuon’s enemy types include everything from ghosts, demons, to mutated monsters. But what makes all these elements really stand out is the remarkable atmosphere.
With limited lighting guiding you down pathways cloaked in shadows, Kuon takes a plethora of opportunities to keep you on the edge of your seat. You never know when a demon or a pair of creepy ghost children may appear. With plenty of spooky imagery and threats waiting for you in the dark, Kuon is a journey where some may want to play with the lights on.
Fatal Frame Series (2002-Present, Various)
Yes a bit of a cheat to include a series, but worth it. While Resident Evil and Silent Hill receive loads of praise for their phenomenal uses of horror, the Fatal Frame series deserves just as much love. As one of the strongest nods to Japanese Horror cinema, the Fatal Frame games involve female protagonists who must confront supernatural beings. To protect themselves from vengeful spirits, the girls rely on the Camera Obscura; capturing images of the spirits prevents them from causing harm to the girls. Coming across the ghosts of Fatal Frame is sure to send chills down one’s spine, for their frightening appearance can catch one by surprise.
The series includes five main entries, all built around ominous atmospheres. The Fatal Frame games make for unique experiences, thanks to the fascinating gameplay mechanics of the Camera Obscura, along with their stories, characters, and haunting imagery.
