WORLD OF HORROR

super fun. once all the content is spent though its unfortunate there isnt much more. unless workshop items

This game is perfectly what it intends to be. It's not breaking any new ground, but it's one-of-a-kind as far as horror games go.

There's some decent content here, but it's a $5 to $7 game not a $20 game. The game is absolutely nothing like the trailer at all. It's 99% static images with the occasional 2 second animation. The individual missions have a plot, but they're mostly random encounters vaguely related to the story padding out a single boss encounter and a few paragraphs of plot. Keep in mind that the missions have nothing at all to do with each other or the overarching plot and there are only a couple of them.

The gameplay is pretty weak too. The spells are essentially useless. The ghost banishment sequence is the same for every single ghost and there's a flowchart of the optimal guesses to make. Combat is entirely dependent on getting a weapon that matches your character's primary stat and randomly getting the right perks. The timing system seems unique at first, but in reality it lacks any depth. It's also not actually unique so much as it is rare; it's called action points and there are quite a few games that use them.

The interplay of decreasing stamina and reason along with increasing doom (failure conditions essentially) contrasted with increasing stats is sorta interesting, but from a practical perspective there's not much there. You have to balance those three stats so that you don't die, go crazy, or take too long allowing the cult to win, but what it really means is that you need decent RNG in beginning so you don't take a bunch of damage in combat before you can defend yourself.

Some of the more interesting content requires a sequence of rare random encounters all in the right order. The otherworldly Thirst achievement comes to mind. At least the Strange Lights event has an interesting result. Then again the ending of the game is just, "congrats, you beat the eldritch god", so the bar is pretty low.

I put a ton of hours into this game, so I can't say I dislike it, but I only recommend this game when it's at least 67% off. It's game jam quality at a professional game price. I'm a professional software developer for what it's worth. I can't draw, but I could throw the rest of this game together in my spare time in under a year.

There's no excuse for this guy to take years to make this and him calling it a full release while leaving so many little things unfinished is pathetic. For those of you that weren't paying attention during early access he always had a new excuse as to why he'd blow a deadline then there'd be complete radio silence for the next year until he'd push out an update. None of the updates should have taken two years. He should have hired someone to help if he was struggling so much.

tl;dr: decent indie game if you're into Junji Ito, but not worth $20. Buy it and enjoy, but find some people to play call of cthulhu with while you wait for a sale.

Telling scary stories in the dark really amps up the creep factor whenever I play this game with friends.

Wasted potential this could have been something amazing but since launch dev has abandoned this game some content even unfinished and promised to be add next update which It didnt one years of no update i lost all faith that this game will get an update.

It's easy to recommend this game, I have been following the development for years and between the console and PC releases have sunk enough time into it for the game to give me a positive opinion. Simple horror storytelling, wrapped in a Ito'verse-Lovecraftian shell. Its meant for bite sized play through. I will also say it almost gives me Oregon Trail vibes with its randomness in which encounters happen. The fact that its modifiable means that new content from the player base should keep it going a long while.

i would join my fellas here commenting about the game being abandoned by the dev suddenly without releasing the update promised last year (last post was announcing the update at end of february and never delivered).

i have this game +40h in a friend account before i bought it, so here is my honest opinion:

the game is interesting for a good chunk of hours while you learn the different stories, try to achieve the different endings and learn the "meta" for each character, they have their own weakness and strengths, but there are unfinished stuff around and you find about it soon or later.

gameplay-wise, is a text-based rng roleplay game basically, each "turn" you choose where to go and a random event will happen (hence the rng part). you have encounters too, some of them are pretty hard but most of them are pretty trivial if you know how to build your character.

the ending of each run is what i find the most dissapointing aspect of the game, feels like was something rushed for a first version to release the alpha with something bigger in mind that was never developed, feeling anticlimatic when you finish.

visual of the game as everyone said and the primary focus is a mix of lovecraft and junji ito, aesthetically i freaking love it and is the biggest selling point imho.

the community is good, they have develop some good mods with the tools they have, some great characters, new events, enemies and stories, some quirky stuff too, so there's a little bit for everyone i guess.

i can't recommend to buy it "now" because the situation with the dev and the promised last update, BUT is a good game for a few hours and from time to time i check it out hoping for a new update release.

what you get if you mix call of Cthulhu and the works of Junji Ito with an Old School RPG.
The art is Amazing and if your a fan of J-Horror this is a must own.
Will say apparently the Main Dev left so updates are probably unlikely but luckily the game isnt too hard to mod and theres some good content out there.

1-Bit Uzumaki/10
#SupportIndieDevs

Been playing on and off since Early Access and had high hopes and enjoyed it for a while but every year dev failed to give meaningful updateS. It's 2025 dev has no other known projects and cannot finish a pixel game that has been in development since before 2020. SHAMEFUL

Amazing, fun little horror game, a work of art.

Decent enough game, but the developer promised an update and abandoned it instead.

I REALLY want to like this game, especially since it does deliver what it advertises. But let's be real here, this game is an unfinished frame of a game, and it's not getting finished.

I know I'm not getting my money back for this, but honestly, I kinda wish I could, because there's barely any content added from the pre-1.0 release.

Every time I try to save the game crashes making impossible any kind of progression

I personally love the game, though what others are saying that the Dev abandoned the game holds some truth.

It's not an expensive game and is met to be replayed with different outcomes and diverging paths. Though it may be "incomplete" I would still strongly recommend the game as it has so much to offer and still is a solid game even in its current state.

Pros:
-Beautiful and horrifying pixel graphics
-Engaging story that will be different every time
-Multiple characters all with different stats
-Unique Game play with and old school RPG combat style
-Multiple endings with different eldritch gods
-Affordable price for good quality

Cons:
-Developer left the project
-Difficulty spikes occur frequently
-I want to bang some the monsters (I need therapy)

World Of Horror is a game I still highly recommend as is.

I found a way to cheese it by getting some holy level item.

10/10 it's all over the necronomicon.

I have been intermittently checking up on WORLD OF HORROR since 2021. Lately, interest in it has understandably dwindled due to its lack of updates, and communication from the developer has been sparse at best. With that in mind, it still caters to a Lovecraftian-Japanese horror-visual novel-mystery game niche very well, and is worth your time if that sounds interesting.

Игра даст уникальный опыт, но не факт, что слишком хороший 7/10

It's good, but it still feels like an early access game. Dev has had long periods of silence before, but the rush to 1.0 makes this one feel a bit more permanent. Get it on sale.

Sadly remains unfinished and abandoned. Otherwise an interesting game.

Nice funny lovecraft nonsense.

Do I like unfinished, open-ended mysteries? NO
It certainly has room for improvement and some graphics could be polished to display what was given to us in the trailers.

However, I can't seem to find a game that replaces World of Horror.

I'll wait for any updates. In the mean time, I'll try looking for something new.

I REALLY want to recommend this game. It stands now as a really interesting, arkham horror-like rogue-like, but its is very unfinished, and probably shouldn't have been taken out of early access yet. I say this as someone who has been following this game for years. The dev seems to have taken the money and ran, which I hope that is not really the case. If the dev breaks radio silence, even if its to give an explanation and not an actual update, I'll probably consider changing my review. Despite all that, if you still want to give it a swing, go ahead. Just be prepared for multiple neat things that go nowhere due to being unfinished.

Creepy vibes and engaging RPG gameplay

I really, REALLY like this games style. it definetely is not for everyone, but if you get this game, you get it. Feels like i'm really in another world.

PS-If you see a door,
D O
N O T
R E S I S T

Even as the lack of communication goes on, World of Horror has still aged very well. Very fun roguelike!

Definitely a fun and unique experience. I'd say pick it up on sale tho

I use this as a training tool for when I decide to go mad

Bravo!
We all chase the feeling of starting a new game, then falling in love with it, only for it to end so shortly, leaving you wondering what could've you done differently?
The entirety of this game is a one big plot twist, lots of questions left unanswered, but in the end you'll understand everything, or nothing, depending on how immersed you were in your play through.
I enjoy Lovecraftian horror, Stephen King, and Junji Ito, so I was really hooked by the dense and creepy atmosphere in this game! The visuals and gameplay are truly captivating. I've only completed 20% of the game, but I definitely want to finish it!
It would be great if the achievements were also tracked on Steam, but having them in the game is still good.
It took me about three hours of continuous play to fully grasp the mechanics and get comfortable with World of Horror, but once I did, I was hooked. As a fan of Junji Ito and horror manga, I never expected to find a game that so perfectly captures that eerie, unsettling atmosphere—yet World of Horror delivers.
One of the game’s greatest strengths is how it keeps you questioning every decision. You constantly wonder what you might have missed, what you could have done differently, and how to improve on your next run. Like any good roguelike, it leaves you with that irresistible feeling of “just one more run.” And with mods, the experience expands even further, offering even more variety.
That said, if you’re looking for a game that holds your hand, this isn’t it. The roguelike structure means you’ll encounter similar scenarios repeatedly, and the game doesn’t go out of its way to guide you. If that’s a dealbreaker, World of Horror might not be for you.
Overall, it’s a well-crafted and atmospheric game that I hope continues to receive updates and new content.
 

Dev abandoned the game with zero communication. It's not a bad game but is missing so much that it feels a hollow, imo. Dev not very professional, so buyer beware.

Abandoned by the devs, not really worth the price given how little there is in the game. A lot of content is missing

Me when I call up the death modem, say no, and get my number banned for life.

For real though, I got this game originally on my switch and bought it again so I can play with mods and experience the game how it was actually meant to be played: on desktop. It's a fantastic game, with the brutal difficulty making every fight feel like it could be your last, which is fitting considering none of the characters are really all that well-equipped for the supernatural. Like others have said before, the horror is a little lackluster, but that comes from it being a point-and-click roguelike; While the game does fantastic with what it has, the gameplay stops it from being able to give the buildup that its Junji Ito "full spread" moments deserve. Still, it's a very fun game and looks phenomenally creepy, plus it still is effective at giving the player a hearty sense of anxiety when the going gets rough. Seriously, my last run ended with me having 3 stamina, 4 reason, on the second floor of an extended lighthouse, all because my doom meter got to max, try as I might to stop it, and THAT build-up was phenomenal. Sure, each individual encounter card might not send chills up your spine, but know that SOMETHING TRULY EVIL HAS YOU IN ITS GRASP when you play this game!

great game!!!

if you like junji ito at all you will like this video game

This is what happenes when the dev spends all the bugdet for the promotion animation you never see in-game.

The developer promised in 2024 February to add lots of new free content and there wasn't a single post ever since, dev just dropped merch to get even more monetization off the game and never appeared again

The game itself is great, but the developer abandoned it and it receives no official updates that were promised, the good thing is that the workshop mods work and community can improve the game themselves, but it still annoys that the developer roughly speaking scammed the community

The game had an interesting promise, but upon playing and beating it in the first try (albeit on the skeptic mode) the gameplay turns out to be paper thin and the stories are pretty bland to the point of being meaningless. Very much has the vibes of something like Arkham Horror the Board Game, but without any of the cooperation between players that makes that game interesting and meaningful.

Unfortunately I waited too long after purchasing or else I would be going for a refund.

Fun concept and great pixel art unfortunately abandoned by devs soon after leaving Early Access.

true old school horror

Do you like playing roguelike games around balancing resources and random bullshit happening while learning how to preemptively mitigate the random bullshit?

Do you like really fucking good visuals and neat little stories with some needing a wee bit of thinking to understand and eventually plan runs around what stories you have to go through?

Do you love achievement hunting that can either be fun to figure out on your own to complete or how quickly/cleanly you can go through them while not being rng hell? (there are guides out there to help with that go consult them if you need it or need to get specific unlocks. if you want to avoid spoilers just stick to the character unlock ones and try to figure out some of the harder challenges yourself.)

Do you like playing difficult challenges that test your knowledge of the game and its stories, eventually leading you to stabbing your neighbor in the eye repeatedly every run in the EEL GRIND at the start of runs so your normal med student can experiment on themselves while also stopping an eldritch horror from collecting the 5 pieces of exodia and drop a run near the end because you chose the wrong option in a choice and tanked a resource too low?

I do. Play this game. Read the other reviews they also show the games qualities. Just be aware, updates are not fast, its not dead ignore the comments saying that. Join the rest of us and enjoy the chaos and go piss off some eldritch beings.

Just dont choose the mirror bastard when you unlock him, i dont care that the concept is cool and the ending screen for losing to doom with him is genuinely interesting, but he screwed over one too many challenge runs and im throwing its dumbass mirror off the lighthouse.

It took me about three hours of continuous play to fully grasp the mechanics and get comfortable with World of Horror, but once I did, I was hooked. As a fan of Junji Ito and horror manga, I never expected to find a game that so perfectly captures that eerie, unsettling atmosphere—yet World of Horror delivers.

One of the game’s greatest strengths is how it keeps you questioning every decision. You constantly wonder what you might have missed, what you could have done differently, and how to improve on your next run. Like any good roguelike, it leaves you with that irresistible feeling of “just one more run.” And with mods, the experience expands even further, offering even more variety.

That said, if you’re looking for a game that holds your hand, this isn’t it. The roguelike structure means you’ll encounter similar scenarios repeatedly, and the game doesn’t go out of its way to guide you. If that’s a dealbreaker, World of Horror might not be for you.

Overall, it’s a well-crafted and atmospheric game that I hope continues to receive updates and new content.

The Dev has seemingly abandoned the game. Do not buy until he comes back (if he ever does)

its as good as it looks and better.

Great game, but be warned that updates are rare at this time. It’s best to play on the public beta branch, and to use mods if you get bored with the content.

If you like both Junji Ito and Arkham Horror - this is propably something you'd enjoy. The mysteries are fun short enough that you can fit a few games into an evening if you want.

Junji Ito the game is what a previous review described it and thats the best way to describe this game honestly, give it a try if you really like those vibes!

Cool experience for fans of Junji Ito's works.

I always love a good horror point and click, and the aesthetic value and the narrative value both get full marks from me!

As any good old school gamer will readily tell you, you don't need top of the range graphics to make an engaging and high quality game. There have been numerous examples of this principle over the years, from the line drawn rhythm antics of VIB Ribbon to the colorfully demented moralising of Undertale. In each instance such titles offer low level graphics but high level gameplay experiences, and World of Horror is but another of these prime examples.

Inspired by the works of HP Lovecraft and Junji Ito; the game is part RPG, part text adventure. It sees you in the role of an amateur sleuth visiting a variety of locations throughout a typically ominous coastal town somewhere in Japan (though never specifically stated where). Each mission in the game plays out episodically like chapters from one of Ito's Mangas, and each completed chapter adds another piece to the diabolical overall puzzle. As your investigations progress, your character finds themself falling ever more hopelessly down the rabbit hole, and as such it becomes increasingly difficult to manage your REASON (sanity) and your STAMINA. There is a lot to unpack for such a low-tech game to be sure and this complexity only helps to make it all the more insanely addictive.

...and don't think for one second that low grade graphics equals low grade intensity. Far from it. The 2D rendered images of the various monstrosities that lunge out at our protagonist are every bit as frightening as any 8th or 9th console generation horror. The tension never falters, with the turn based combat system only lending to the suspense of you never knowing whether you will survive the encounter or whether the monster is going to tear you to bits. Plus, the developers have also worked a few glitches and random symbol flashes into the game as well, implying that the game is itself a piece of cursed media in the vein of Daemon 9. All these things play to the J-Horror vibes extremely well. Good Japanese Horror isn't about jump scares after all. It's about slow, creeping dread that sweeps over you like a death shroud and moves at a pace so slow it's barely noticeable. This effect is well delivered herein.

The one down side is that there is a lot of information on the screen at once. Japanese audiences experience such copious amounts of text on their screens every day through their media, by online or on TV, though Western audiences may at first find this a bit overwhelming when it comes to navigating the many status screens. Hopefully though, once you've found your digital bearings the experience is far easier to negotiate. Some may also not be used to the bleak tone overall, but then, it's Lovercraftian J-Horror ie. it comes with the territory.

Do I recommend World of Horror? You bet. Do I think it's for everyone? ...if you like Ito and Lovecraft and are familiar with the dynamics of Cosmic Horror then you should enjoy it. It should be noted that this game is essentially a story-driven detective piece, much like the source materials which inspired it. This being said, the pace may be a little slow for hardcore adrenaline junkies, so it would be advisable to read up on the genre before committing. Otherwise, let the apocalyptic dread begin! - 4.5/5.

Amazing sound track, amazing art and a outstanding sense of dread through out the game. this game nails the feeling of standing against eldritch horrors with only your rag tag crew as the front line. this game is unforgiving in its difficulty and rng, but a big problem that seems to arise in new players is the confusion. although i will agree this games "tutorial" and explanation is weak and a bit confusing i believe this adds to the sense of dread and replay ability as in every new run you will know what enemies are weak to what and what certain random events consequences are. as you continue into the game you will get tired of the same random events.. luckily the dev added mod support and with mods you can add new custom random encounters and custom characters.

A fun game! It's a pretty unique RPG (at the very least I have yet to see anything like it, so) and generally fun to play! I've played the game for thirteen hours spread throughout a week, and I still haven't been through all the content.

The combat simple's pretty simple, easy to understand, very fun though! I'd argue it's better on harder difficulties; managing resources and trying to figure out to optimize your turn is arguably the best part about it.

All in all, I had fun. Give it a shot! If it's not for you, that's fine too.