Yomawari: Lost in the Dark

To 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.

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!

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.