Ikai

68%
Game Brain Score Based on 166 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • atmosphere
Ikai Game Cover
Ikai does a great job of incorporating Japanese folklore into a claustrophobic psychological horror, with some smart puzzles throughout.
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"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
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

68%
Audience ScoreBased on 166 reviews
gameplay16 positive mentions
replayability3 negative mentions
  • The game features a well-designed atmosphere with good graphics and sound, effectively creating a spooky environment.
  • The incorporation of Japanese folklore and the unique mechanics of drawing seals add an interesting layer to the gameplay.
  • Despite its short length, the game offers engaging puzzles and collectibles that enhance the overall experience.
  • The gameplay can feel clunky and frustrating, particularly with the seal-drawing mechanic, which may lead to repeated failures.
  • The story lacks depth and context, leaving players confused about character motivations and plot progression.
  • Many players found the game to be too short and lacking in replayability, with some puzzles being either too simple or nonsensical.
  • gameplay59 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is a mixed bag, featuring a combination of unique mechanics like writing kanji seals and various puzzles, but often criticized for its clunky execution and repetitive structure. While some players appreciate the short playtime and engaging atmosphere, others find the core mechanics frustrating and the overall experience lacking in tension and depth. The visuals and sound design receive praise, but the gameplay itself is seen as a significant drawback, with many reviewers rating it as mediocre.

    • “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.”
    • “In terms of gameplay, it is a 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.”
    • “Ikai's interesting setting and unsettling atmosphere are let down by its clunky gameplay, mundane and repetitive structure, and several technical issues.”
  • story59 mentions

    The game's story is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating its intriguing elements and connection to Japanese folklore, while others find it short, generic, and poorly executed. The atmosphere and visuals are praised, but many reviewers note a lack of depth and clarity in the storytelling, leading to a disjointed experience. Overall, the narrative offers moments of tension and interest, but it often feels underdeveloped and could benefit from more substantial storytelling.

    • “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.”
    • “The game feels like an asset dump, the story is...there....as far as any sense of fear, there is none, not at all.”
    • “It does a great job at representing traditional Japanese yokai and I never felt like any section went on for too long, but the story is practically non-existent, with the beginning and ending feeling way too contrived.”
    • “As mentioned, the story of the game really isn't that special; for me, it is really generic and could use some improvements.”
  • atmosphere49 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its dark, supernatural elements and effective sound design, which includes creaking floors and howling winds that enhance the tension and unease throughout the experience. Many reviewers appreciate the game's authentic Japanese folklore and lore, noting that it creates a hauntingly beautiful setting that immerses players in its world. However, some critiques mention that while the atmosphere is strong, it can be undermined by gameplay issues and localization problems.

    • “An atmospheric indie horror game with an interesting lore, challenging puzzles, and a calligraphy writing system to seal away the spirits.”
    • “The atmosphere had me tensed from the get-go, and I stayed thoroughly spooked from start to finish.”
    • “Love the lore on the yokai and the atmosphere really sets the stage for this interesting story.”
    • “Great sound design and solid atmosphere hampered by subpar English localization and some obtuse puzzles.”
    • “Ikai's interesting setting and unsettling atmosphere are let down by its clunky gameplay, mundane and repetitive structure, and several technical issues.”
    • “If you are looking for a walking simulator with a gloomy atmosphere, riddles and folklore of Japan: this is your game.”
  • graphics40 mentions

    The game's graphics receive mixed reviews, with some praising the atmospheric design and unique Japanese aesthetic, while others find them lacking, rating them around 6/10. The visuals effectively contribute to the horror vibe, showcasing detailed artwork and a compelling setting, though some players expected higher quality given the game's specifications. Overall, the graphics are appreciated for their ability to enhance the storytelling and immersive experience, despite some technical shortcomings.

    • “The visuals and sound in this game were incredible.”
    • “Ikai is an unconventional Japanese horror story told in a game with great graphics and atmosphere.”
    • “Atmospheric Japanese indie horror for 3-4 hours, with a variety of gameplay, great atmosphere and graphics.”
    • “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”
  • emotional7 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its touching story and beautiful setting, which effectively immerse players in a haunting atmosphere filled with Japanese legends and superstitions. While some found the gameplay and storyline to be lacking, the overall emotional impact is enhanced by the developers' passion and the engaging puzzles that keep players on edge.

    • “This is a short, simple horror game set within a single shrine 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 pretty atmosphere is amazing considering the work is from a team of just three developers.”
    • “[Touching story, beautiful setting, you'll definitely be on edge for most of the game, puzzles are fun.]”
  • music3 mentions

    The music and sound design in the game are highly praised for their seamless integration with the setting, enhancing the overall atmosphere. The eerie soundtrack effectively maintains a sense of tension and unease, contributing to the player's immersive experience.

    • “The surrounding sounds and music really blend perfectly with the game's setting.”
    • “The spooky music kept me feeling on edge, giving away no hint of any looming dangers, adding that much more to my sense of unease.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    The game offers limited replayability, primarily serving as a brief fix for horror enthusiasts rather than a title that encourages multiple playthroughs. Players note that its short length and lack of depth may diminish the fear factor over time.

    • “Not good enough to be considered replayable or iconic, but somewhat sates that short-term, to-the-point horror game craving.”
    • “[Very short, pretty much no replayability; may lose fear factor over time, spiders.]”
  • stability2 mentions

    The game is reported to have some bugs, which may affect stability, but overall, players find it enjoyable despite its short length.

    • “The game is a bit buggy and short, but overall it's a good experience.”
    • “The game is a bit buggy and short, but overall it's a good experience.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly due to the requirement of accurately tracing seals to capture yokai. The use of a mouse can lead to frequent mistakes, necessitating repeated attempts, which adds to the frustration.

    • “To seal the yokai, the player has to trace a seal correctly. This is one of the more tedious aspects of the game, as using the mouse makes it easy to go wrong and have to repeatedly start again.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The optimization of the game is generally well-received, with users reporting a smooth experience and no bugs encountered.

    • “Optimization is excellent; I haven't encountered any bugs.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

56% average critic score

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