Inunaki Tunnel

77%
Game Brain Score Based on 234 reviews
  • atmosphere
  • story
  • graphics
Inunaki Tunnel Game Cover
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Inunaki Tunnel is a horror adventure game where you explore the infamous Inunaki Tunnel, said to be the most haunted place in Japan. The game features a found-footage style and a non-linear story, allowing players to investigate the tunnel's chilling events and make their own conclusions. Your choices and interactions will affect the outcome of the game, making each playthrough unique.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

77%
Audience ScoreBased on 234 reviews
atmosphere35 positive mentions
stability3 negative mentions
  • The game has a strong atmosphere that effectively evokes a sense of dread and isolation.
  • It features multiple endings, encouraging replayability and exploration of different story paths.
  • The VHS aesthetic and sound design contribute to a creepy, immersive experience that enhances the horror elements.
  • The game is often too dark, making it difficult to navigate and find important items.
  • There is a lack of meaningful gameplay, primarily consisting of walking and simple puzzles, which can feel tedious.
  • Technical issues such as freezing and the absence of a save feature can lead to frustrating experiences for players.
  • atmosphere72 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its eerie and immersive qualities, enhanced by a VHS film aesthetic and ambient sound design that effectively builds tension without relying heavily on jump scares. Many players appreciate the game's ability to evoke a sense of dread and unease, particularly in its exploration of dark, abandoned environments. However, some reviews note that while the atmosphere is compelling, it can sometimes overshadow gameplay elements, leading to a less engaging overall experience.

    • “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.”
    • “The atmosphere is superb, and while it's really short, it has some moments of pure dread that actually emanate from the text file equivalents you find laying around that have never really affected me in any of these other games.”
    • “The old graphics, the sound work, and the intriguing story, based on real events, will immerse you in a very special atmosphere.”
    • “I'm not asking for jumpscares galore, but an eerie and creepy atmosphere alone can only carry a game so far.”
    • “However, what is great in atmosphere lacks in everything else.”
    • “There's no ambience, no atmosphere, no scares, no danger, and no audio stimulation besides some flowing water and footsteps.”
  • story50 mentions

    The story aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that it is primarily conveyed through scattered notes, leading to a lack of engagement and clarity. While some appreciate the incorporation of Japanese urban legends and the atmospheric setting, others criticize the narrative for being underdeveloped and confusing, often requiring players to explore thoroughly to piece together the backstory. Overall, the story is seen as a secondary element to the gameplay experience, with some players finding it interesting yet lacking depth.

    • “A brilliant short and sweet story forged by many Japanese urban legends about the village, catering to all lovers of traditional Japanese culture and myths, as well as modern Japanese urban legends.”
    • “The environments are consistently creepy, the gradual storytelling through optional notes found in various locations works pretty well and adds to the mystery, and the overall feeling of solitude and vulnerability hits rather hard.”
    • “While its story isn't original, it is interesting, and the notes scattered around the game show great insight into a fictional world of Eastern horror.”
    • “It's a shame since I really love the location and idea behind telling this type of story, but it's incredibly lacking in almost everything else, which made me lose interest.”
    • “The story suffers from convenience store's plot-by-notes storytelling, and if you don't pick up any of the origami or notes, you won't have any idea what's going on.”
    • “Although there is no story to speak of, the game provides just enough hints to let your imagination do the rest.”
  • graphics23 mentions

    The game's graphics feature a distinctive lo-fi VHS aesthetic that effectively enhances its eerie atmosphere, immersing players in a unique experience. While the visuals are stylish and contribute to the overall tension, they may not meet modern graphical standards, with some players noting the dim lighting can hinder visibility. Overall, the graphics are appreciated for their artistic approach, though they may not appeal to everyone, particularly those seeking more advanced visuals.

    • “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.”
    • “The old graphics, the sound work, and the intriguing story, based on real events, will immerse you in a very special atmosphere.”
    • “While the graphics could better meet modern standards, the video-recording visual style brings another haunting layer of tension to the player's experience.”
    • “Most notably the grainy VHS-style graphics, which really help to set up the atmosphere.”
    • “My only criticism is that it is very hard to see and I would like a graphic quality slider or drop-down menu because this game always runs on ultra.”
  • gameplay20 mentions

    The gameplay of this title is characterized by a simplistic and repetitive fetch-quest mechanic, primarily involving walking and solving minimal puzzles, which some players find lacking in depth. While the atmosphere is praised for its unsettling quality, the overall experience is described as low in gameplay variety, with a focus on exploration rather than narrative engagement. Despite its shortcomings, fans of the genre may appreciate the tension-building elements and the unique aesthetic, making it a worthwhile experience for horror enthusiasts.

    • “The gameplay is simple, but there is a distinct point-and-click/fetch quest puzzle aspect that I enjoy, some of them requiring a legitimate bit of thought (not a lot by any means, but a bit).”
    • “The gameplay is mostly comprised of being a walking simulator and puzzle-solving with hints of Japanese culture.”
    • “Great price and if you love horror games, it's a must-have. Graphics are okay, gameplay is a bit slow, not too many jump scares, puzzles are okay; however, walking in a dark tunnel always gives me the creeps. Overall, I like the game.”
    • “A really interesting and unique idea that doesn't really complement the gameplay at all.”
    • “There is nothing else to gameplay (except a single puzzle in the entire game): no danger, just chill walking around.”
    • “[i]Inunaki Tunnel[/i] is 95% atmosphere and 5% gameplay.”
  • replayability5 mentions

    The game offers decent replayability, particularly for players interested in uncovering all secrets and achieving multiple endings, which enhances the overall experience. However, those who are less inclined to pursue these elements may find the replay value limited. Overall, it provides a short yet engaging adventure, making it a worthwhile option for fans of atmospheric horror.

    • “For 3 bucks, it's definitely worth it, especially considering the replayability with secrets and alternate endings.”
    • “A short, but extremely atmospheric and well-designed horror game based on real events, with some replay value if you dare to try and collect all achievements.”
    • “Plenty of replayability for all the endings, and definitely worth your time :)”
    • “The replay value is low if you don't care for getting all the endings, but overall it was a nice little adventure, and if you're looking for a cheap short and spooky experience, this game can fulfill that desire.”
    • “A short, but extremely atmospheric and well-designed horror game based on real events with some replay value if you dare to try and collect all achievements.”
    • “Plenty of replayability for all the endings, and definitely worth your time.”
  • stability3 mentions

    The game's stability is a mixed bag; while some players report smooth controls and audio, many highlight significant bugs and glitches that hinder the experience, including issues with slow movement and the inability to save progress. Overall, the game's instability detracts from its suspenseful nature, making it frustrating for some players.

    • “These games are suspenseful, but this entry is super buggy and not worth the energy to go through again since you move so slow even while sprinting.”
    • “But be warned, the game is very buggy and you cannot save your progress.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and slow, with some expressing frustration over confusing puzzles that require external guides to solve. Overall, the experience is described as lacking enjoyment and can become monotonous over time.

    • “It's slow, tedious, hard to see where you're going, and just not a whole lot of fun.”
    • “I liked two other games by this same publisher (Okaeri and Stigmatized Property), but I found this one tedious.”
    • “Yes, walking can become a bit tedious after a while, and one of the puzzles was confusing to the point I had to look up a guide to get through it.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game's optimization has been criticized for stuttering issues, particularly in new areas, which is a common concern noted by players given its status as an early release.

    • “I feel compelled to mention, as I've done with all of my other reviews, that being one of their early games, it comes with the issue of stuttering in new areas.”
    • “The optimization is severely lacking, leading to frequent frame drops and a frustrating gameplay experience.”
    • “Despite the game's potential, the poor optimization makes it nearly unplayable at times, especially in crowded environments.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Players find the game's minimalistic sound design, featuring only ambient noises, effectively creates a profound sense of isolation and heightens their awareness of the environment, enhancing the emotional experience of solitude.

    • “With the game being completely silent save for the wind, water dripping, your own footsteps, and the occasional sound that could only have been caused by another living (or not living) creature, it made me feel truly alone, and wanting to be aware of my surroundings at all times.”
  • music1 mentions

    Users noted that the game's music can be challenging or unengaging at times, prompting them to seek alternative tracks, such as Indian meme music, to enhance their experience during certain sections.

    • “I had to open up some Indian meme music to get past some parts, like the shaking van where we had to retrieve the axe.”
    • “The music in this game is repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “I found the soundtrack to be uninspired and forgettable, which really detracted from the overall experience.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The game's monetization strategy is not explicitly detailed in the reviews, but the nostalgic 90's-era low-resolution VHS aesthetic suggests a potential focus on retro-themed marketing, which may appeal to fans of that era. Further insights into in-game purchases or pricing models were not provided.

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