Yomawari: Night Alone

Yomawari: Night Alone is a survival horror, single-player game developed and published by Nippon Ichi Software. The game was released in Japan in 2015, exclusively for the PS Vita, but a year later in 2016 it would receive an English version, and in 2018 a Nintendo Switch version. The game is now available for PS Vita, PC and Nintendo, and has received generally positive reviews from critics and players.

A Horrible Night to Have a Curse

Yomawari: Night Alone is a confusing game at times. It mixes cute, charming vibes with eerie, and dark places. The story revolves around a girl and her dog Poro, who go out on a night walk around their town, when a tragic accident befalls them.

Returning home with only the dog’s leash, the girl’s sister asks her to stay home while she searches for the dog. Eventually, the little girl gets tired of waiting, her concern for her sister and dog sets her out on a journey to find both of them herself.

Yomawari: Night Alone begins as you set foot outside the door and realize that your town is gone. In its place a dark and terrifying place comes to life, filled with spirits and evils that set out to get the little girl. As the players it is your job to navigate this treacherous town, and find clues that lead you to your loved ones.

Small Scale Survival Horror

The survival horror genre has seen a rise in popularity, even if most of them aren’t truly survival games. Games like The Evil Within, Resident Evil, and Silent Hill evolved in such a way that they are more action-packed, than horror-packed titles. Usually players have multiple ways to defend themselves, but in Yomawari: Night Alone you have nothing but your wits. Players have access to some skills that revolve around avoiding the spirits, since there’s no way for the protagonist to engage the spirits.

Progression here happens through exploration, the town here is beautifully designed and captures the haunted experience. Light sources and illuminations all play a part in the game and its mysteries, the use of the unlockable flashlight eventually helps finding collectibles and clues greatly. The game also has a well-crafted sound design, which adds to the tension and sinister ambience of Yomawari: Night Alone.

Conclusion

Yomawari: Night Alone is an interesting game that provides a fun and tense experience. It is also a homage to the survival part of the survival horror genre. While it might not be as horrifying as some titles like Dead Space, Outlast or Manhunt, it sits in a good place to please horror and non-horror gamers alike.

PROS:

• Interesting Story
• Focused on the Survival part of Survival Horror
• Immersive Environments
• Sound Design is Well Designed

CONS:

• Might Feel Slow-Paced
• Not Truly Terrifying
• Very Short Campaign (6 Hours Roughly)