Ikai

Ikai is a first-person psychological horror game inspired by Japanese folklore. You play as Naoko, a priestess left in charge of a remote mountain shrine while the priest goes to the village. Unable to attack the evil creatures around her, she must face their threats directly, using neither combat nor simple flight.

Story

Rumors of a new demon spread among the villagers, and blood-stained leaves suggest that evil creatures are drawing closer to people. The demon is believed to be searching for something that will let it cross from the underworld into the human world. As fear grows, the priest leaves the shrine to go to the village, leaving Naoko behind.

Naoko carries on with her work, dismissing stories of demons and ghosts as tales told by frightened children. She leaves the shrine to reach the river before dark, but the gloomy forest makes the villagers’ fears seem real. After she loses consciousness, the shrine bell calls for help; the sacred place has given way to monsters, ghosts and spirits.

Face the spirits

You explore a feudal Shinto shrine and its surroundings to uncover Naoko’s story. With no way to attack the creatures, you face threats directly, sometimes keeping quiet and sometimes running. Slow, precise, natural movements shape how you interact with the world and reinforce the sense of helplessness.

Seals and puzzles

You draw protective seals while strange sounds and events unfold around you, and solve puzzles that block your progress. The game’s exploration and interactions build a tense atmosphere as Japanese spirits, monsters and yokai threaten Naoko.