Yomawari: Night Alone Reviews
Yomawari: Night Alone is a game that will be remembered more for its tone and story than gameplay, but that’s enough to recommend it.
One of the scariest experiences I’ve ever had in gaming with its nerve-racking atmosphere and grotesque enemies.
Yomawari: Night Alone has small elements that may be frustrating, with repeated death and wasted time spent wandering, looking for the one thing that will cause some progression. This is mitigated by its short run time and great sense of atmosphere. The reserved score, reliance on player imagination, and world building make it a worthwhile investment for those who aren’t afraid of surrealistic creatures lurking in the dark.
A charming & scary 2D adventure full of Japanese elements & a great aesthetic work on it's back. One of the best survival horror for PS Vita.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
It’s hard to find a truly glaring flaw in Yomawari: Night Alone. My biggest complaint of a lack of story or creature explanations is honestly something that other players might have zero problems with. It’s even something that I admit myself adds to the mystique and charm of the game. I’m awful at playing horror games, and I’m always too scared to make any real progress. Yomawari creates a great atmosphere of tension and terror that rarely relies on cheap scares, and it was the perfect formula to keep me hooked until the end. If you’re looking for a good alternate horror game, look no further.
I still get chills thinking about my time with Yomawari: Night Alone. Whether it's a particularly scary moment that pops into my head or one of the many weird visuals that I just can't get out of my mind, this is a game that's going to stick with me for a while. I just wish there was more of it for me to remember.
A very different kind of survival horror, that despite a few flaws is both scarier and more thematically interesting than most of its contemporaries.
Despite its flaws, Yomawari: Night Alone is an entertaining game that will be perfect to play while handing out candy to the neighborhood trick-or-treaters. The incredibly lenient death system will be seen as a boon by those who suffer through horror games and love only having to experience a particularly scary section the bare number of times that is necessary. The save system also encourages a pick-up-and-play mentality, which is a nice fit on the Vita. Pick up Yomawari: Night Alone if you want to see a horror game on the Vita, because it will likely be one of the last of its kind, since the system is on life support.
Billed as a horror game, Yomawari: Night Alone ultimately feels like it falls more on the side of tragedy. Sure, it has its jump scares which can get the blood racing, but the town and its supernatural inhabitants just feel a little too charming to be considered a real threat. The story, with its sad undertones, will definitely tug at the heart strings the more that it unfolds - far more frequently than it'll scare you, especially once you become accustomed to the ghost's surprise visits. Yomawari is satisfying in its own weird way, but those looking for a good scare may be disappointed that any potential threat is short-lived.
Yomawari: Night Out is the definition of survival horror, trapped with nothing to defend yourself with against horrors that await around every corner. Yomawari may be light on jump scares but the creatures, sound design, and atmosphere is enough to creep anyone out.
Yomawari: Night Alone is a story about childhood loss, mortality and facing your fears. It’s certainly not the most technically or mechanically amazing game and a lack of familiarity with the Japanese concept regarding gods can dilute its story. What it does well, however, is leverage Japanese folklore while tapping into those fears and insecurities we’ve all felt as children in order to transcend the game's own limitations. Charming and survival-horror may seem like an impossible mix but that’s exactly what Yomawari: Night Alone manages to do.
Yomawari: Night Alone is an original horror tale that shuns 3D and hyper-realism to stake everything on the atmosphere and on the discrepancy between "cartoon" style and horrific themes.
Review in Italian | Read full review
I don't think I'll ever forget the bone-chilling reaction I had in the opening moments of Yomawari: Night Alone. It was the perfect way to grab someone's attention and immerse them into the tone of the game.
Until we do get that next genre-defining horror gem, Yomawari is a nice distraction that will hopefully be worked on to bring us something even more sinister and satisfying in the future.
Despite having its roots firmly set in survival horror, Yomawari: Night Alone is really not all that scary. It’s creepy for sure, but in terms of pure jumps or shivers, these reactions were a no go.
Yomawari: Night Alone is a unique example of Japanese horror on the Vita, but there are some lacking areas in its design. Even with that, I wholeheartedly recommend picking it up.
Yomawari: Night Alone is a throwback to good old survival horror genre, spicing it up with emotional themes and ingenious mechanics to make for a definitive must-play for fans awaiting a game that will be remembered. A must-play.
Yomawari: Night Alone features an interesting story premise which is somewhat held back by its repetitive gameplay. The survival horror aspects take inspiration from the old school games and the gorgeous art style makes the game visually appealing. It can be a fun experience if we can ignore its shortcomings.
Simple as it might look, but Yomawari is a remarkably complex game that aims to be something far loftier than most attempts at interactive horror. Its intensity is in its subtleties, and the way it is constructed makes it a masterclass in the aesthetics and theming of one of the most important art traditions to have ever come from Japanese culture.
In the end, I can highly recommend you buy this title. I loved my time with the game to write this Yomawari: Night Alone Review – it’s creepy looks, atmosphere and sounds are something you have to experience. And if you really want to have fun with the game, be sure to play at night, in the dark, with your headphones on. Trust me on this one – you’ll thank me later!