You like psychological horror and survival horror in your video games, right? StreetLight Studios certainly does, and their upcoming title Kanpeki proves it. Currently slated for release on Steam, the developer has made a free demo available via itch.io.
Kanpeki’s story centres on Hoshi Morimoto, perfectionist and Gyaru fashion aficionado. One day, after realizing that she’s arrived at school wearing smudged makeup, Hoshi has a mental breakdown. The resultant stress leaves Hoshi trapped within a nightmarish version of her rural hometown. She must now try to escape the abandoned streets and the deranged teenagers affected by some strange ‘Choking Game’. But a mysterious golden light emitting from the outskirts of the town compels her to stay…
Kanpeki checks off several of the old-school survival horror checkboxes, including the fixed camera angles. Rather than the typical survival horror weapons, Hoshi is armed with a taser that you’ll have to use wisely, as it takes precious time that you often don’t have to recharge. Another mechanic involves holding your breath to warp the world around you to explore new paths and discover secrets.