Based on the critically acclaimed and highest-grossing Taiwanese horror film of the same name, Incantation is a first-person psychological horror game that expands on the lore of the 2022 movie. Developed and published by Softstar Entertainment, the movie is loosely based on a real-life incident from 2005, involving a family who claimed to be possessed by demons and local deities at a village in Taiwan. The game Incantation was originally released on PC in 2024 and now, with the help of eastasiasoft, creeps its way onto Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch.

Having spent the last six years searching for her missing daughter, Mia, Jia Jun Lee has accidentally discovered Chen Village, a place filled with mysterious cults, religious taboos, cursed rituals and blood-chilling secrets. Beyond the palpable madness and fear in the village, there’s a sinister force that drives one to despair. What happens when one crosses the forbidden line of this evil deity? “Hou-ho-xiu-yi, si-sei-wu-ma.”

Players are put into the shoes of Jia Jun Lee and must search through the mysterious and unsettling Chen Village. The overall game has players exploring various buildings, forests, and more throughout the village from a first-person perspective to find clues and other items, solve occasional puzzles to progress, and encounter various possessed residents.

There isn’t a lot of combat, only some quick-time events where you have to fight off someone by rapidly tapping a button. But those moments when someone lunges at you will definitely get your heart racing. There are knives, hatchets and other items that could be used as weapons, and it’s odd that the protagonist doesn’t think to grab one to defend herself. Though lacking in combat, the game truly shines in its approach to stealth gameplay, allowing players to both avoid being seen and a looming fight, which does build tension. Sadly, most of the game is exploration-based, with cutscenes playing out only in first-person mode.

The game’s story expands on the lore of the 2022 hit film. The movie is one of the scariest horror films in recent history and was loosely inspired by a 2005 real-life incident in the Gushan District in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, involving a family of six who claimed to be possessed by demons and local deities. They engaged in extreme, mutually inflicted acts of violence to expel the demons, resulting in the death of their eldest daughter.

The film, directed by Kevin Ko, is a found-footage movie (similar to The Blair Witch Project) that uses small digital cameras and GoPro’s to give a sense of realism and authenticity to the supernatural events occurring on screen, while also revealing some of the lore behind the mysterious village.

The game isn’t a direct movie adaptation or a sequel, but rather its own story set in the same world. Though not a necessity before playing the game, both the movie and the game can be enjoyed separately and may even coax the player for more insight into one or the other, as both media entries do a fantastic job of developing a deeper lore of Chen Village.

Incantation as a game may not be action-heavy, but it certainly is scary. The jump scares are few and far between, keeping players on their toes and delivering surprises when least expected. A few might be predictable, but that doesn’t take anything away from the fear this game creates. There are also some moments that can be difficult to watch, so viewer discretion is advised.

The people you encounter make this place somewhere you would want to stay far away from, as they can be erratic and unpredictable. A few might seem normal at first, but their seemingly normal reason for that is bizarre, mainly an elderly woman you meet early on who says she’s waiting for her son to pick her up, though she’s standing deep in a forest. Other people you encounter are only in their underwear, and their skin is covered in runes related to their religious cult.

Players may never look at mannequins the same way again, either. They’re covered in the same runes, frequently moving and changing positions when you’re not looking. For example, when you enter a room, a bunch of mannequins look at you, and after you walk past them and turn around, they’ve turned their heads to keep looking at you. Other times, when you complete certain tasks and solve puzzles, the mannequins in that room have moved a bit closer, sometimes pointing a knife at you.

The fictional religion they practice is a dark, twisted version of Buddhism, and the worshippers use a unique hand gesture as a sign of prayer/greeting. The first time you see someone gesture, it doesn’t look threatening, but it still gives off a sense of unease and is an early indication of the bizarre and supernatural events that await you.

Throughout the game, you can find and collect various items, including notes, books and other miscellaneous items that help showcase the history and lore of the in-game world, whilst in-game cutscenes slowly unveil more of the story of Chen Village, and reveal the journey of the protagonist as they continue their search for her daughter.

The graphics might feel a little out of date by today’s standards, but they still look great and suit the vibe of this game, complementing the dark and creepy atmosphere, because everything you see would make you want to get the hell out of there and never come back. Some of the locations in the game mirror what was in the movie, but the game immerses you further as you roam around Chen Village. Making your way through different rooms and other locations, you’ll discover visual horrors, such as broken furniture, messy rooms, mouldy walls, bloodstains, and rotting food covered in maggots that will make your skin crawl and, quite possibly, make you sick to your stomach.

The sound design also does an amazing job aesthetically, with creaky noises, water drops, footsteps and other lingering sounds seemingly hiding just around the corner. From afar or echoing through the hallways, to stalking nearby, every sound has its place. Even complete silence can create an eerie feeling. Plus, whenever the chanting of “Hou-ho-xiu-yi, si-sei-wu-ma” fades in, you know you’re about to be kept on edge.

As a horror game, Incantation focuses more on tension-building moments and occasional jump scares, whilst providing deeper lore than its movie counterpart. Other than some quick time events, it is not an action-focused horror game, which might disappoint those expecting to hack and slash or gun down enemies, but what it does do well, it does really well. The game can be completed in roughly six hours, making it a short, linear, but memorable game. Given that there is only one ending, there isn’t much incentive to play the game again, but those invested in the story may want to have a second look.

Incantation is a story-driven game that expands on the lore from the hit 2022 film. The dark, creepy atmosphere makes the mysterious village a place you want to stay far away from, but the story will keep you engaged and wanting to find out more. Incantation may be a short game, but it will leave a lasting impact and is a story to be remembered. “Hou-ho-xiu-yi, si-sei-wu-ma!” 

Written by: Sammy Hanson