村の悪魔 

Release Date: TBD 

 [WARNING] This game contains: profanity, jumpscares, mild depictions of blood, mild abuse, bullying, suicide, drug abuse (alcoholism) among other mature themes. Those who are not comfortable being subjected to depictions of these themes in-game are advised to refrain from playing. Discretion is advised. 

Genres: Story-Based RPG Horror, Exploration, Puzzle, Comedy

Disclaimer: This game is a retelling of the story of Mura Oni, but with major differences to the story, art, locations, characters, etc. While it is, in essence, the same tale being told, the sheer amount of differences resulted in my decision to consider it a separate game. Consider it an alternate universe tale. Everything is tentative right now. The story, characters and art are subject to change.

Synopsis

 Hikaru Himura lives with his sister, Sumiko, and father in quaint, little Kawashimo Village, isolated deep in the rural mountains of Japan. His friends, Tsubaki and Daisuke join the Himura siblings' youthful misadventures on a day-to-day basis, making the most of their summer before the start of school and Hikaru's eventual departure for the big city.

Sounds cute, right? Well, I may have forgotten to mention that something's been watching them from within the shadows of the forest. A certain...shadow. And little do they know, this shadow's got a penchant for their suffering. What the four also haven't noticed is that people have, one-by-one, been going missing from the village. 

 Play as the four teenagers as you explore their relationships in the midst of a looming crisis. Explore Kawashimo Village and uncover its sinister secrets, all while trying to elude whatever force is breathing down your neck.

The game is focused on story, character development and exploration. There are occasionally puzzle and horror elements, but jumpscares are not extreme. Please be aware that dialogue can drag on. 

Characters 

Hikaru Himura / 火村 光

Age: 18

Gender: Male (he/him)

A timid, bashful guy. Although he is kind and selfless to a fault, he is plagued by unpleasant memories of his time in the big city. To this end, he sometimes appears aloof, his mind detached from reality. His naivety is also apparent, often having grandiose ideas of what the world is like beyond his tiny bubble but being disappointed by reality. He wonders if anyone will ever figure out what's going on in his head.

Sumiko Himura / 火村 澄子

Age: 19

Gender: Female (she/her)

Hikaru's older sister. Socially extraverted, she enjoys the daily company of her friends and family. However, she is often oblivious to their feelings, which often leads to little conflicts here and there. She often wonders why Hikaru can act so cold sometimes, failing to understand the complexity of his turmoil. Nonetheless, she makes it her mission to help others to smile. "Cheer up!" is one of her signature catchphrases. During a conversation with her, you'll find that her mind trails off constantly, always digressing from the topic at-hand. However, it's these tangents that always end up being the most entertaining thing when interacting with Sumiko.

Tsubaki Nishihara / 西原 椿

Age: 18

Gender: Female (she/her)

A childhood friend of Hikaru and Sumiko. Characterized as very vocal and bossy, she's never afraid to share her thoughts with the group. She is aware of how easily flustered Hikaru gets and uses that to her advantage, teasing him at every opportunity. Beneath that, she bears the weight of her long-time crush on him. Daisuke, being aware of this, gave her the nickname Tsun-baki. Suffice it to say, it's a nickname that's caught on quick with the group.

Daisuke Ikeda / 池田 大輔

Age: 19

Gender: Male (he/him)

Another childhood friend of the Himura siblings. Characterized by his tough exterior and mischievous antics. He is particularly close to Hikaru. While he loves all of his friends, he has always envied Hikaru's slow and calm approach to life, a stark contrast from Sumiko and Tsubaki. However, he also cherishes moments where he can embarrass and make fun of Tsun-baki, who he considers his 'bro'. He is often the mediator of the group, helping everyone come to a consensus about a difficult matter or even just defusing silly arguments. He makes sure everyone is happy.

Maaku Maeda / 前田 真亜久

Age: ???

Gender: Male (he/him)

A drifter who recently happened upon Kawashimo Village, unbeknownst to the residents. His unkempt red hair and baggy eyes stick out like a sore thumb among the villagers. He frequents the village's cafe, always making sure to get his fill of coffee for the day. It is at the cafe where he bumps into Hikaru, whom he immediately takes an interest in (much to Hikaru's dismay). Why he decided to stick around the village is unknown, his motives in general are unknown. Just what is this mysterious guy planning?