Hepburn: Takaishitai for Windows

Psychological horror game

Emma Hallows' free game, Hepburn: Takaishitai, reimagines cult-horror titles from the '90s. Its grey, grainy atmosphere reinvents psychological trauma in an alternative vision of American suburbia.

According to Takaishitai's itch.io page the developer draws inspiration from horror games such as Silent Hill or Resident Evil. Although the atmosphere of trauma exploration is slightly different, it is similar to Amnesia or Doki Doki Literature Club.

The game visuals look like night vision tapes in green and grey. The third person will guide you through the rooms. Sometimes, the screen may become blurred by the background music.

Emma Hollows composed the opening and closing songs for the sound design. You'll also hear sirens and footsteps as you travel the world.

White and red letters will tell a story at the top of your screen during gameplay. This creates a dramatic, anxious atmosphere. A number of important story parts have standalone animations that improve the pace.

After you launch the game, you will see a notification telling that your actions have an impact on the outcome. The notification also suggests that you keep a pencil handy to keep track of days. Wear headphones for a more immersive experience.

For smooth performance, the game is optimized to be played in Chrome browser. It can be downloaded and installed on Windows, Mac, and Linux devices.

As you progress, the screen will display a list of activities and places to visit. Puzzles will help you unlock doors and build levels.

You can also collect items while playing and keep them in your inventory to make it easier to fight and solve puzzles later on in the game. Depending on where you go, you may encounter different creatures that you can escape or kill. The ultimate goal is to get out of the place.

Although the game is simpler than its inspiration sources and rivals, it is well-designed, sets a terrifying stage, and explores familiar themes. This game is a must-have for fans of the genre.