This sequel’s twist is an ‘eyes
closed’ mechanic: if you can’t see it,
it can’t see you. Because of that,
slowly plodding around the ominous
red mist of enemies, your rapidly
increasing heartbeat indicating
proximity, becomes a simple yet
terrifying staple (as do creating
distractions, using your torch, and
just legging it). As your vision’s
frequently limited, the sound design
is crucial. Between the lack of
music, the almost echo-location
function of the heartbeat, and
disturbing noises made by the
spirits,
it evokes the
feeling that you are never
truly safe. And you aren’t.
Lovely! [Issue#21, p.88]
This third entry in the survival horror series developed by Nippon Ichi doesn't add so much to the original formula, but it feels more mature and brings more content to the “explore, hide and resolve” side.
Yomawari: Lost in the Dark is a new game in the franchise five years after its last, delivering familiar gameplay and setting for fans of the series, but losing the opportunity to reinvent itself and target a wider public.
The presentation and the fear factor of Yomawari: Lost in the Dark leave a great first impression. The beautifully crafted visuals and moment-to-moment potential horror you face makes it an unnerving experience that’s hard to shake. However, the more you play, the less you’re rewarded with actual reasoning from the story. It’s a gut punch to persevere in the final act. This may be appealing to fans of the series but it didn’t make a new one of me by the end.
Yomawari: Lost in the Dark is a decent horror title that never quite allows itself to excel in any particular area. Japanese horror fans will enjoy the variety of enemies and the scares, but outside of the cleanly drawn visuals and a decent story, it can’t escape the demon of its own design – a short runtime that just feels too long due to its repetitive gameplay and late-revealing secrets.
SummaryTo break a curse placed upon her, a young girl must venture into the haunted streets of her town at night to search for her lost memories while evading
the twisted spirits that lurk in the darkness.