Ikai does a great job of incorporating Japanese folklore into a claustrophobic psychological horror, with some smart puzzles throughout.
Get on Steam"Ikai is a single-player, first-person psychological horror adventure game inspired by Japanese folklore. The game features an interesting plot and a tense atmosphere, with a defenseless protagonist who must face threats directly rather than fleeing or attacking. The game's mechanics and natural movements aim to create a sense of helplessness and immersion in the uncanny world of Ikai, where superstitions of the past and evil creatures draw near."
Nintendo Switch
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Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
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Reviews
- The game features a well-designed atmosphere with good graphics and sound, effectively creating a spooky environment.
- The unique gameplay mechanic of drawing seals adds an interesting twist to the horror experience, enhancing engagement with the puzzles.
- The story, while short, incorporates elements of Japanese folklore and provides a satisfying narrative that encourages exploration for collectibles.
- The game is quite short, with many players feeling it lacks depth and replayability, often completing it in just a few hours.
- The gameplay can feel simplistic and lacks challenge, as enemies are easy to avoid and puzzles may not provide enough difficulty.
- The seal-drawing mechanic can be frustrating and overly sensitive, leading to repeated failures that detract from the overall experience.
- gameplay29 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is a mixed bag, featuring a blend of unique mechanics like kanji writing and various puzzles, but often criticized for its short length and repetitive tasks typical of the horror genre. While some players appreciate the atmospheric visuals and engaging puzzles, others find the core mechanics frustrating and the overall experience lacking in tension and depth. Overall, the game offers a simple yet visually appealing experience, though opinions on its execution and enjoyment vary significantly.
“The varied puzzles and mechanics the game throws at you really enhances the experience, from writing seals to orientating an object to cast a specific shadow.”
“For a very short 2 to 3 hour playthrough with highly immersive sound, surprisingly engaging puzzles, and a very casual difficulty - a decent gameplay experience was provided throughout.”
“Atmospheric Japanese indie horror for 3-4 hours, with a variety of gameplay, great atmosphere, and graphics.”
“Boring storyline and gameplay.”
“In terms of gameplay, it is generic horror game style: walk to point A to gather this, walk to point B, and so on.”
“The painting of kanji for seals is probably one of the most frustrating gameplay elements I have ever experienced.”
- story28 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally perceived as short and simplistic, with mixed reviews on its execution; while some players appreciate its interesting themes and connection to Japanese folklore, others find it generic and poorly paced. The atmosphere and visuals are praised, but many feel the narrative lacks depth and engagement, leading to a disjointed experience. Overall, the story has potential but suffers from execution issues, leaving players divided on its effectiveness.
“The game is pretty, the story is interesting and easy to follow, and the game does a good job of leading you in the right direction.”
“Fun story, awesome atmosphere, and a feel of stress and anxiety keep you moving and second guessing all the way to the end!”
“Love the lore on the yokai and the atmosphere really sets the stage for this interesting story.”
“Aside from story context, there’s also a deafening lack of gameplay context.”
“As mentioned, the story of the game really isn't that special; for me, it is really generic and could use some improvements.”
“The game feels like an asset dump; the story is... there... as far as any sense of fear, there is none, not at all.”
- atmosphere22 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 23 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its dark, supernatural elements and immersive sound design, effectively creating a tense and unsettling experience. Many reviewers highlight the game's authentic Japanese folklore and lore, which enhances the overall ambiance, while some note that the atmosphere is a standout feature despite minor gameplay issues. Overall, it is described as a well-crafted, atmospheric indie horror game that successfully evokes feelings of stress and anxiety throughout its short playtime.
“I'd say its atmosphere is more towards the supernatural than the scary, which I liked.”
“An atmospheric indie horror game with an interesting lore, challenging puzzles, and a calligraphy writing system to seal away the spirits.”
“The spooky atmosphere is mostly created by sounds of creaking floor, howling wind, occasional sound of door closing somewhere, footsteps, items falling ... and stuff :)”
“The atmosphere had me tensed from the get-go, and I stayed thoroughly spooked from start to finish.”
“I was digging the atmosphere, and there were moments where I felt unnerved.”
“If you are looking for a walking simulator with a gloomy atmosphere, riddles, and folklore of Japan, this is your game.”
- graphics20 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The game's graphics receive mixed reviews, with some praising the atmospheric visuals and unique Japanese aesthetic, while others find them lacking, rating them around 6/10. The artwork effectively conveys the horror theme and enhances the storytelling, though some players expected higher quality given the game's specifications. Overall, the graphics contribute positively to the game's eerie atmosphere, despite some frustrations with gameplay mechanics.
“Across the game, you'll find scattered artwork and objects that tell you about yōkai and Edo-era practices.”
“Ikai is an unconventional Japanese horror story told in a game with great graphics and atmosphere.”
“If you like the look and aesthetics of feudal Japan, I believe they did a really good job portraying it here.”
“In terms of graphics, I would say that it really isn't the greatest, and given the recommended specifications for the game, I kind of expected more from it.”
“The sound and graphics can do some work, although overall it is good at making the scary vibe.”
“Visuals 6/10”
- emotional3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its touching story and authentic atmosphere, which effectively incorporates Japanese legends and superstitions. Despite some criticisms regarding the gameplay and movement, the developers' passion for the subject matter shines through, creating a hauntingly beautiful experience.
“This is a short, simple horror game set within a single shrine complex with cool visuals, a simple, yet touching story, and quirky gameplay mechanics, all tied together with a developer's passion for the subject matter.”
“All the Japanese legends and superstitions in an authentic, hauntingly beautiful atmosphere is amazing considering the work is from a team of just three developers.”
“The storyline felt flat and uninspired, leaving me emotionally disconnected from the characters.”
“I found the emotional moments to be forced and unconvincing, which made it hard to engage with the narrative.”
“Despite the game's attempts at emotional depth, it ultimately fell short and left me feeling indifferent.”
- music1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music and sound design are highly praised for their seamless integration with the game's setting, enhancing the overall immersive experience.
“The surrounding sounds and music really blend in perfectly with the game's setting.”
“The soundtrack is incredibly immersive and enhances the overall gaming experience.”
“Each track complements the gameplay beautifully, making every moment feel epic.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game offers limited replayability, primarily satisfying short-term horror cravings rather than providing a compelling reason to revisit it. While it may not be iconic or highly replayable, it can still deliver a brief, enjoyable experience.
“Not good enough to be considered replayable or iconic, but somewhat satisfies that short-term, to-the-point horror game craving.”
“Once you've experienced the story, there's little incentive to go back; it lacks the depth for true replayability.”
“The game feels like a one-and-done experience; after finishing it, I had no desire to play through it again.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game is generally well-received, but users report some bugs and a short gameplay experience that may affect overall stability.
“The game is quite buggy and feels unfinished.”
“I experienced frequent crashes that ruined my gameplay.”
“There are numerous glitches that make it hard to enjoy the experience.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of sealing yokai tedious, as the requirement to trace seals accurately can lead to frequent mistakes and the need to restart, particularly when using a mouse.
“To seal the yokai, the player has to trace a seal correctly. This is one of the more tedious aspects of the game, as it is easy to go wrong with the mouse and have to repeatedly start again.”
“The grinding in this game feels endless and often frustrating, making it hard to stay engaged with the story.”
“I find the repetitive nature of grinding to be a major drawback, as it detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game is generally well-received, with users reporting a smooth experience and no significant bugs encountered.
“The optimization is excellent; I haven't encountered any bugs.”
“The game runs smoothly with great optimization, enhancing the overall experience.”
“I appreciate the attention to optimization; it really makes a difference in gameplay.”
Critic Reviews
Ikai (PC) Review
Ikai had a great first half with great pacing and providing enough mystery and heart-racing moments but fizzled out by the end.
60%Ikai (Switch) Review
Some Yokai are harder to watch than others.
50%Ikai (Nintendo Switch)
Ikai is a first-person psychological horror game that isn’t so much scary as it is confounding. It wastes its effectively chilling setting by simply getting you lost in it. You’ll be annoyed more often than frightened, confused more often than entertained.
30%
