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PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo

PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo is a pleasant surprise from Squire Enix, a brilliant work of art that sets the genre's standard even higher.
PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo Game Cover
87%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
replayability, grinding
96% User Score Based on 2,588 reviews
Critic Score 78%Based on 25 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchPCTabletAndroidPhoneiPadSteam DeckMobile PlatformiPhoneWindows
PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo Game Cover

About

PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo is a single player role playing game with horror, mystery, thriller and anime themes. It was developed by Square Enix and was released on March 8, 2023. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

In PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo, players investigate a series of ghost stories in Sumida Ward, Tokyo, uncovering the hopes, fears, and deadly curses of unique characters. As ordinary office worker Shogo Okiie, you and a friend visit Kinshibori Park at night to investigate the Seven Mysteries of Honjo, leading to a mysterious "Rite of Resurrection" with supernatural consequences. This horror-adventure visual novel game is now Steam Deck Verified.

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96%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,588 reviews
story824 positive mentions
replayability4 negative mentions

  • Engaging and well-written story with intriguing twists and turns.
  • Beautiful art style and immersive atmosphere that enhances the horror elements.
  • Clever gameplay mechanics that encourage critical thinking and exploration.
  • The pacing slows down significantly after the prologue, leading to a less engaging middle section.
  • Limited use of the curse mechanics throughout the game, which feels like a missed opportunity.
  • The true ending may feel rushed and unsatisfying compared to the buildup of the story.
  • story
    1,923 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of *Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo* is widely praised for its engaging narrative, intricate plot twists, and well-developed characters, blending elements of mystery and the supernatural. While many players appreciate the clever storytelling and the way the plot unfolds through multiple perspectives, some express disappointment with the pacing and the conclusion, feeling it could have been more satisfying or elaborated upon. Overall, the game is recommended for fans of visual novels and those who enjoy a compelling, thought-provoking story.

    • “Paranormasight: the seven mysteries of honjo has a phenomenal story.”
    • “The story is incredibly good and engaging, with some fun twists and a great atmosphere.”
    • “The story is captivating enough (in my humble opinion) that I can recommend it based solely on that, but I believe the artwork and music only elevate the experience further.”
    • “The game's presentation and initial ideas presented were fantastic, but it didn't really do much interesting with its puzzles past the initial surprises and the story felt somewhat incomplete or just unsatisfying.”
    • “After the intro segment, the story is far too on-rails.”
    • “The writer has a very specific story they want to tell, and you're led through it step-by-step.”
  • gameplay
    464 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Paranormasight" is primarily focused on its narrative, featuring a mix of traditional visual novel mechanics and innovative elements that encourage player interaction and critical thinking. While the game introduces intriguing mechanics, such as a curse system and fourth-wall-breaking puzzles, many players feel these features are underutilized, leading to a more linear experience as the game progresses. Overall, it offers a compelling story with engaging gameplay moments, but some players wish for deeper mechanics and more varied gameplay throughout its runtime.

    • “Paranormasight has puzzles and mechanics that I have never seen in a video game, let alone a visual novel.”
    • “The gameplay is challenging but not overly difficult, making it enjoyable for gamers of all skill levels.”
    • “The cleverly crafted gameplay mechanics provide tools for players to make their own deductions, creating an interactive and engaging experience.”
    • “I feel that there's not a lot of innovation in the mechanics of the visual novel genre.”
    • “But the meat of the game is far too linear, there's basically no gameplay to speak of, and the branches and backtracking mechanisms are extremely limited.”
    • “Unfortunately these ideas don't last for long after the prologue and the game falls into a more comfortable and standard visual novel gameplay style.”
  • music
    385 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "Paranormasight" has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the game's atmosphere, with many reviewers praising its haunting and immersive qualities that effectively complement the storytelling and visuals. Tracks are described as both memorable and diverse, ranging from eerie to jazzy, although some players noted a limited selection leading to occasional repetition. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, significantly contributing to the game's engaging and spooky experience.

    • “Music is a straight 10/10 for me, with the way the music immersed me into the game is amazing, especially during the horror parts where I was quaking in my boots because it really left an impression on me.”
    • “The music in Paranormasight is fantastic, and it really sets the mood for the game.”
    • “The ambience the game creates and the music playing throughout the game is extremely good and very intense at times (can only recommend to play during the night).”
    • “The soundtrack is a bit repetitive.”
    • “A lot of scenes suffer from the same music and it's jarring.”
    • “So jarring I had to lower the music volume to 2.”
  • graphics
    332 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of *Paranormasight* have received widespread acclaim for their unique and captivating art style, which effectively blends retro aesthetics with modern design elements. Players appreciate the detailed character expressions and immersive environments that enhance the game's spooky atmosphere, complemented by a strong soundtrack that sets the mood. Overall, the visuals are described as beautiful and engaging, contributing significantly to the storytelling and overall experience of the visual novel.

    • “The art style is unique and eye-catching without being distracting; the sprite work and environments are detailed and varied, and the bits of animation that are there go a long way to selling the atmosphere.”
    • “The graphics or more so the art is beautiful, as you can see in the trailers the characters are very detailed and surprisingly expressive, which adds to the sense of tension and horror as you watch a character's face warp with fear and disgust in multiple ways that accurately portray how someone would feel in the moment.”
    • “The presentation is gorgeous in both visuals and soundtrack, and the actual storyline is full of well, mysteries that are engaging throughout the whole experience, as well as really solid characters to get invested in.”
    • “The art style is unique and eye-catching without being distracting; the sprite work and environments are detailed and varied (though to be honest, a lot of the sprites where the characters purse their lips are extremely silly-looking, but maybe that's just me), and the bits of animation that are there go a long way to selling the atmosphere.”
    • “The graphics in Paranormasight are well-drawn, and while there isn't much animation, it doesn't hinder the game experience at all.”
    • “The art style is very retro and somewhat fits the atmosphere of the game; a few fourth wall breaks and some very creative ways to progress the game, nothing new but it fits very well with the theme of the game.”
  • atmosphere
    178 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and eerie qualities, effectively blending visuals, music, and storytelling to create a tense and unsettling experience. Reviewers highlight the unique art style and haunting soundtrack, which enhance the game's psychological horror elements without relying heavily on jump scares. Overall, the atmosphere is described as captivating, drawing players into a rich narrative filled with mystery and suspense.

    • “The way it was able to mix mystery and the paranormal was quite enjoyable, and the way it was able to set up such a spooky atmosphere with its visuals, music, and story heavily immersed me in the game.”
    • “The setting, music, and art style come together to perfectly wrap this game up in an atmosphere that locks you in from start to end.”
    • “The atmosphere is immaculate, the mystery is compelling, the characters are appealing.”
    • “I wouldn't go into this game expecting to be particularly scared; the atmosphere is certainly eerie, but the writing has more in common with JoJo's Bizarre Adventure than with Junji Ito.”
    • “Only real downside is it [spoiler] loses most of the actual horror vibes pretty early on, but the suspense and atmosphere more than make up for it.”
    • “I feel like it could have helped out to bring out the game's atmosphere a little more.”
  • character development
    53 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in *paranormasight* is generally well-received, with players appreciating the depth and realism of the characters' motivations and histories. The character designs, crafted by Gen Kobayashi, are highlighted for their distinct and stylish appeal, contributing to an immersive atmosphere that enhances the narrative. While some reviews note that the payoff for character development may falter at times, the overall investment in the characters and their intertwined stories remains strong.

    • “Amazing world building and character development.”
    • “I was incredibly invested in the characters' fates and the intertwined stories, and in love with the character design.”
    • “Exceptional narrative full of twists and turns, well-realized characters with realistic motivations and histories, and fantastic visuals and character designs.”
    • “Really nice mystery horror visual novel game, at first I thought it was about unraveling the 7 mysteries one by one but that's not what it is. However, I was still pleasantly surprised by the game with its character development and story. It was a shadow-dropped game, zero marketing and advertising, and I can say it's better than Forspoken already.”
    • “The writing/story and music is pretty good; but the presentation, as in: the vibe, character design, sound effects, game mechanics, all of them are literally perfect.”
    • “The character designer, Gen Kobayashi, is more known for his works in The World Ends With You series and makes a very distinct impression in making everything look grounded yet stylized and memorable.”
  • emotional
    51 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with players experiencing a range of feelings from deep attachment to characters and moments of genuine sadness, to frustration with pacing and emotional impact. While some found the story touching and evocative, others felt that the non-linear narrative diluted the emotional weight of key moments. Overall, the game successfully blends horror and heartfelt storytelling, though its emotional highs may not resonate with everyone.

    • “This game made me cry :(”
    • “The story is very good; it touches on a lot of dark subjects and hits a lot of emotional beats that make you feel a lot of different ways about these complicated characters who all have their differing ideas of what's going on within the world.”
    • “Without getting into spoilers, this is a fantastic little occult horror visual novel that tells a tight, interesting, not-that-long story, set in a setting with a great, cozy vibe, ending with a touching message.”
  • humor
    47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is noted for its cleverness and effectiveness, providing genuine laughs amidst a dark and complex narrative. While some characters and moments are particularly funny, the humor is generally well-integrated and serves as a relief from the more serious themes, though it may not reach the charm of other titles like Ace Attorney. Overall, players appreciate the balance of humor with mystery and drama, making for an engaging experience.

    • “Interesting game with some pretty funny moments in an otherwise bleak and at times disturbing world.”
    • “The fact that there's so much heart and humor woven into this dark story makes it one that will stay with you long after you've stopped playing.”
    • “Paranormasight is a well-crafted and beautiful mystery-horror that balances its thrills out with fast-paced humor.”
  • replayability
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's replayability varies significantly among players; some find it high due to missed details and the enjoyment of revisiting the experience, while others feel it lacks replay value after completing it fully. The overall consensus suggests that while the journey is rewarding, the incentive to replay diminishes once all content is explored.

    • “There's quite a bit of replay value, as well, considering there are things you can very easily miss if you're not paying attention.”
    • “Its replayability will be dependent on whether you're the type of person to re-read books over and over, but cost vs value is definitely there whether you are or not.”
    • “ Infinitely replayable”
    • “Although I'm not sure if replayability in this (meta) context is a blessing or a curse.”
    • “Is long enough and worth its price, but it has no replay value.”
    • “The mystery itself and puzzles are smart, and while there's almost no replayability once you 100% it, the journey definitely makes this a worthwhile experience.”
  • grinding
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while some appreciate the well-executed multiple endings that avoid tedium, others criticize the excessive clicking and over-explanation of plot points as outdated and frustrating. This leads to a sense of fatigue, particularly in point-and-click adventure games where exploration can feel unnecessarily grindy. Overall, the grinding can detract from the enjoyment of the narrative.

    • “I usually feel tired having to replay a visual novel for multiple endings, but for this game, it is very well done and not tedious.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “I consider this to be tedious and outdated game design, but I guess it's not uncommon for point-and-click adventure games like this one.”
    • “That said, I also always disliked the tendency of these games to overexplain plot points, require you to click on literally every tiny thing on the scene before allowing you to proceed with the story, and, if they have lots of potential story timelines in the chart/timeline, being grindy about it.”
  • stability
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game exhibits significant stability issues, being described as a "buggy mess" by some users. However, it runs smoothly on the Steam Deck, where it is considered a good fit, with only minor glitches reported that do not hinder gameplay.

    • “The game runs great on the Steam Deck.”
    • “The game is a perfect fit for the Steam Deck, where it runs great (although you will have to call up the on-screen keyboard occasionally).”
    • “The game is a buggy mess.”
    • “It currently does have a few small glitches that I've encountered, but nothing game-breaking.”
  • monetization
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's monetization strategy has been criticized for its lack of advertising, with users expressing that it deserves more promotion given its quality. Many feel that the minimal marketing, akin to a "shadow drop," has hindered its visibility despite its strong character development and engaging story.

    • “The fact this game doesn't have more advertising is criminal.”
    • “Square Enix was wrong for barely advertising this game!”
    • “It was a shadow-dropped game, zero marketing and advertising.”
  • optimization
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is reported to run smoothly on the Steam Deck without any issues, indicating strong optimization for that platform.

    • “Runs smoothly on the deck with no problems.”
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78%Critics’ scoreBased on 25 critic reviews
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10h Median play time
14h Average play time
9-11h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 12 analyzed playthroughs
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PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo is a role playing game with horror, mystery, thriller and anime themes.

PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo is available on Nintendo Switch, PC, Phone, iPad and others.

On average players spend around 14 hours playing PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo.

PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo was released on March 8, 2023.

PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo was developed by Square Enix.

PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its replayability.

PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo is a single player game.

Similar games include Urban Myth Dissolution Center, Raging Loop, Tangle Tower, Beacon Pines, AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES and others.