Skip to main content

Iwaihime

Iwaihime Game Cover
84%Game Brain Score
story, music
gameplay, character development
84% User Score Based on 209 reviews

Platforms

PCWindows
View Game
Buy NowGet on Steam
Iwaihime Game Cover

About

Iwaihime is a single player simulation game with horror and thriller themes. It was developed by DMM GAMES and was released on October 23, 2020. It received positive reviews from players.

"Iwaihime" is a single-player horror simulation game with an intriguing story by hit writer Ryukishi07, featuring delightful visuals and stellar music. The game follows Toé Kurokami, the only daughter of Iwaimoto Shrine, and her interactions with Tsubakiko Harumiya and other characters, bringing to life a supernatural horror visual novel of sin, retribution, and penance.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Iwaihime screenshot
Iwaihime screenshot
Iwaihime screenshot
Iwaihime screenshot
Iwaihime screenshot
Iwaihime screenshot
Iwaihime screenshot
Iwaihime screenshot
Iwaihime screenshot
Iwaihime screenshot
Iwaihime screenshot
Skip User Reviews

84%
Audience ScoreBased on 209 reviews
story70 positive mentions
gameplay3 negative mentions
  • Iwaihime features a captivating and atmospheric story that blends horror with deep emotional themes, making it a compelling read.
  • The artwork and sound design are exceptional, enhancing the overall experience with beautiful visuals and a haunting soundtrack.
  • The character development is strong, with each heroine having unique backstories that add depth to the narrative.
  • The pacing can be uneven, with the first half feeling slow and disjointed before the story picks up in the latter chapters.
  • The protagonist is often seen as bland and generic, lacking the depth and flaws that would make him more relatable.
  • Some scenes contain graphic and disturbing content that may not sit well with all players, potentially overshadowing the story's strengths.
  • story
    268 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Iwaihime," crafted by renowned writer Ryukishi07, is a complex blend of supernatural horror and emotional depth, set in a rural town where the protagonist, Suzumu, navigates eerie events tied to curses and personal traumas. While the narrative employs a slow reveal and intricate layers that reward patient readers, it has received mixed reviews for its pacing, tonal shifts, and character development, with some finding it engaging and others deeming it predictable or lacking cohesion. Overall, the story is characterized by its dark themes, emotional resonance, and a unique blend of horror and romance, though it may not appeal to all due to its graphic content and sometimes convoluted structure.

    • “Iwaihime, developed by DMM Games and published by Shiravune, is a supernatural horror visual novel that stands out for its atmospheric storytelling and complex narrative.”
    • “Set in a quiet, rural town, the story follows Suzumu Susuhara, a young man who becomes entangled in mysterious and eerie events after encountering a strange girl named Toé Kurokami, who is never seen without her traditional Japanese doll.”
    • “The story's intricate layers and gradual revelation of mysteries demand patience and attention, which might be challenging for those preferring more straightforward or fast-paced narratives.”
    • “The story is linear.”
    • “So horribly written, the scares are more gross than scary and the actual plot is just silly.”
    • “The other reviews have already mentioned this, but despite this visual novel being a ryukishi07 story - the legend who wrote higurashi and umineko - iwaihime is surprisingly disappointing, with the story being bland and unoriginal.”
  • music
    47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is generally praised for its quality and ability to enhance the narrative, with a well-composed soundtrack that fits the story's tone and atmosphere. While many players enjoyed the variety and emotional depth of the tracks, some noted that the music can become repetitive over time. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a highlight of the game, contributing significantly to the immersive experience, though it may not stand out as exceptional compared to other visual novels.

    • “This visual novel has impressive production quality — from its beautiful artwork and strong voice acting to a well-composed soundtrack.”
    • “Over three dozen songs offering great variety and fits very well with the story's tone, settings, and ups and downs.”
    • “The music of this game is amazing.”
    • “The music is good, but not great; I enjoyed it while I was listening, but I doubt I'll actually bother to listen to any of it on my own time.”
    • “The iwaihime soundtrack isn't extremely vast, but I think it's perfectly okay given that each sound really sets the mood of the scene.”
    • “Not very rich on visual stuff (in comparison to xblaze or root;double), but music and voice acting is 'grrrreito'.”
  • graphics
    33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning artwork, which effectively enhances the eerie atmosphere and immerses players in its unsettling narrative. Character designs are unique and detailed, contributing to the overall production quality alongside strong voice acting and a fitting soundtrack. While some reviewers noted that the visuals may not stand out significantly from other visual novels, the combination of beautiful art and psychological horror elements creates a compelling experience.

    • “Visually, the game’s art style complements its eerie tone with detailed character designs and backgrounds that evoke a sense of isolation and dread, effectively immersing players in the unsettling environment.”
    • “Gorgeous artwork & fantastic voice acting.”
    • “Admittedly, it takes a while until the plot picks up, however, this visual novel takes its time to properly build up a narrative with the help of splendid artwork and high-quality voice acting.”
    • “Extremely thinly veiled graphic descriptions of sexual assault is not what I wanted from this game, but it's what I got.”
    • “Although the CGs are mostly not very graphical, the descriptions of the text are very vivid and were the thing that made me feel uncomfortable.”
    • “And the game really likes using effects on top of its visuals, whether that be overlaying images on top of each other, stretching and moving them, or just applying a nasty filter to fit the scene.”
  • emotional
    26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke deep feelings, with many players reporting intense experiences that led them to tears. The well-developed characters and their intricate backstories contribute significantly to the narrative's emotional weight, blending horror with themes of love, pain, and endurance. While the tonal shifts can be jarring, the overall storytelling is praised for its emotional depth, making it a compelling experience for fans of the genre.

    • “It baffles me that this game has mixed reviews, as it's one of my favorite visual novels and the only game that has really made me cry.”
    • “Overall, iwaihime offers a richly atmospheric and emotionally charged experience that will appeal especially to fans of slow-burning horror visual novels.”
    • “An emotionally exhausting experience, and one that's well worth having.”
  • atmosphere
    22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in Iwaihime is widely praised for its immersive and haunting qualities, effectively enhancing the horror experience through slow pacing, rich storytelling, and strong character development. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a suspenseful environment without relying on jump scares, complemented by stellar voice acting, beautiful artwork, and a fitting soundtrack. Overall, the game delivers a deeply atmospheric experience that resonates particularly well with fans of slow-burning horror narratives.

    • “Overall, Iwaihime provides a focused and atmospheric horror novel built on slow escalation and controlled delivery.”
    • “The core strength of Iwaihime lies in its ability to craft an oppressive and haunting atmosphere through careful pacing and character development.”
    • “The core strength of iwaihime lies in its ability to craft an oppressive and haunting atmosphere through careful pacing and character development.”
    • “It can be quite gross and creepy in places and that atmosphere tends to linger around it.”
    • “By that, I mean that this game nailed the spooky atmosphere thanks to its vivid writing and I honestly cannot praise it enough.”
  • gameplay
    9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is primarily linear and episodic, focusing on narrative rather than mechanical variety, typical of visual novels. It includes essential features like auto-mode and fast forward, while also integrating suspenseful elements and high-quality artwork. Players can unlock achievements, though some require purchasing DLC, which is considered worthwhile for the story experience.

    • “Touching on the gameplay for a bit, I had no problems unlocking all of the Steam achievements. Although if you want to get all of them, you will need to purchase the DLC (but it's worth it for the story alone).”
    • “Moreover, it blends in with the suspenseful gameplay and breathtaking artwork created by Nippon Ichi Software.”
    • “Its value comes from narrative discipline rather than mechanical variety.”
    • “In regards to the gameplay, the story is mostly linear and is episodic, so you simply play through from beginning to end.”
    • “Gameplay has all the necessities that you expect from a visual novel, including auto-mode, fast forward, and an extra menu.”
  • humor
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is a standout feature, blending comedic elements with horror in a way that surprises players, often eliciting more laughter than fear. Character personalities are exaggerated and infused with humor, contributing to a unique tone that balances slice-of-life moments with darker themes. While some may find the comedic aspects detracting from the horror, many appreciate the game's ability to deliver a high-school horror-comedy experience without fully transforming into a comedy.

    • “I was laughing at this game more than I was ever scared by it.”
    • “Again, I don't want to spoil, but I gotta say that the whole 1000-year-old curse got destroyed in the most hilarious and unserious way I would have never imagined.”
    • “One thing I did not expect this visual novel to be is funny, and I am not talking about the comedic-relief characters, but everyone. The personalities of the characters are quite over-the-top, and everyone in this story has funny sides. Depending on perspective, some might think it's bad that a horror game is funny, but it is a plus for me. After some time, I realized that the best way to enjoy this one is to think of it as a high-school horror-comedy story, but that does not mean that this visual novel transforms into a comedy visual novel.”
  • character development
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in iwaihime is noted for its ability to create an oppressive atmosphere, though opinions vary on its effectiveness; some reviewers find it lacking depth, particularly in the base game, while others appreciate the insights provided in additional chapters. The character designs are described as realistic and fitting for the visual novel genre, but overall, the development is seen as a mixed aspect, with some players feeling it does not offer much.

    • “The core strength of iwaihime lies in its ability to craft an oppressive and haunting atmosphere through careful pacing and character development.”
    • “Anyway, without a doubt, I can recommend getting this chapter as well as it adds more insight into Mayu Hinagata, whose character development fell rather short in the base game.”
    • “The character designs are nice and are done less stylistically than what is usually seen in the medium, a bit more realistic while still maintaining that visual novel look.”
    • “Character development is meh; straight 6/10 because it doesn't really have too much to offer in my opinion.”
    • “I can recommend getting this chapter as it adds more insight into Mayu Hinagata, whose character development fell rather short in the base game.”
    • “I was not crazy about the art or character designs, but I can't fault the game's production.”
  • optimization
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of vocal performances significantly enhances the game's script, making it an integral part of the overall experience that players feel is essential for immersion.

Skip Game Offers

Buy Iwaihime

Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like Iwaihime

Games Like Iwaihime

The House in Fata Morgana Image
93%3kreviews

The House in Fata Morgana

2016Action
Nintendo SwitchAndroidPlaystation 4+10
The Letter Image
88%1.6kreviews

The Letter

2017Role Playing
Nintendo SwitchLinuxXbox Series X|S+7
Aokana: Four Rhythms Across the Blue Image
92%737reviews

Aokana: Four Rhythms Across the Blue

2019Action
Nintendo SwitchAndroidPlaystation 4+10
Fatal Twelve Image
94%263reviews

Fatal Twelve

2018Action
Nintendo SwitchLinuxPC+4
Sound of Drop: Fall into Poison Image
79%294reviews

Sound of Drop: Fall into Poison

2015Action
LinuxPCMac OS+1
More games like Iwaihime
Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Iwaihime is a simulation game with horror and thriller themes.

Iwaihime is available on PC and Windows.

Iwaihime was released on October 23, 2020.

Iwaihime was developed by DMM GAMES.

Iwaihime has received positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its gameplay.

Iwaihime is a single player game.

Similar games include The House in Fata Morgana, The Letter, Aokana: Four Rhythms Across the Blue, Fatal Twelve, Sound of Drop: Fall into Poison and others.