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SENSEs Midnight is the latest title of the SENSE anthology. However, you can enjoy this latest endeavour as a standalone title. Alternatively, if you want a rounded experience, I recommend that you pick up the excellent SENSE: A Cyberpunk Ghost Story. Though there are some key changes to its presentation, much of the core gameplay remains the same. As such, it’ll be familiar to fans of this creepy series.
Developed by SUZAKU Games and Eastasiasoft Limited and published by the latter, this is a creepy horror title. Moreover, there are some minor puzzle elements, plenty of ghastly apparitions, and some interesting albeit wasted mechanics. Where this differs from its predecessor, is its 3D finish. What’s more, it is noticeably shorter and this may disappoint some of you.
SENSEs Midnight tells a creepy tale.
I love anything that is Asian-inspired. The often larger-than-life characters and unbelievably creepy ghost stories have you hooked immediately. Fortunately, SENSEs Midnight has both of these elements and the game thrives as a consequence. Throughout this eerie endeavour, you’ll be expected to explore a sinister park while evading malevolent spirits. Accordingly, it’ll keep you on your toes while chilling you to the bone.
There is a legend known as the Midnight Door. This spooky tale is rarely believed, but this doesn’t stop Kaho. She is a member of the occult club and she uses her trip to Ikebukuro to uncover the secrets of this story. However, unbeknownst to her, she is messing with powers she can’t understand. Subsequently, when she begins the ritual, she opens a doorway that cannot be closed. Cruel ghosts escape and unless she escapes, they’ll take her life.
A straightforward gameplay loop.
Breaking into the park to start the ritual was the easy part. However, getting out alive isn’t so simple. Luckily, though, the gameplay loop is straightforward and refined. Once the ritual begins, you must navigate the eerie paths evading the ghost’s attention. There is one main spook that’ll kill you immediately and an array of other hideous apparitions. If you spot these cruel entities, you have 3 options at your disposal. 1. Run for your life. 2. Hide within an area known as a talisman spot. 3. Use a Magatama to neutralise any threats.
These ideas are great in practice, but in reality, it’s somewhat hectic. Sadly, the map can be a nightmare to explore and the poor camera angle often hinders your advances. Alongside this, the controls are clumsy and they hold you back as well. Moreover, unless you know where to go, you sprint around like a headless chicken. Now, this is amusing and you can evade the spirits with relative ease. Yet, it doesn’t make for a user-friendly experience and the action is impacted because of it.
You are not alone.
The developers have incorporated an interesting voyeuristic twist to the narrative. The protagonist may be alone in the park, but her friends are watching from afar. As such, the occult members offer advice and guidance via text messages. This was an unusual take that helped you to solve problems, as well as giving you some in-depth information.
Alongside this, I enjoyed the main gameplay mechanic. Kaho is armed with a special camera. Accordingly, this tool enables you to spot spooks and any other weird apparitions. Therefore, you can capture some interesting images that oddly link to the previous game. This was a nice touch that will sadly be lost on newcomers. Yet, if you are a veteran, you’ll adore every moment.
Bizarrely, the camera cannot be used as a weapon. Instead, you must stand your ground and snap pictures. This wouldn’t be so strange, but the main ghouls are still chasing you. As such, the aspect always feels rushed, and it never fulfils its potential.
SENSEs Midnight doesn’t hit the mark.
I loved the grim setting and the claustrophobic atmosphere. Moreover, the labyrinthine setup was confusing and uncomfortable to navigate. Alongside this, when the camera angles worked, the game had a quirky finish that was interesting to look at. However, when it went awry, it was appalling and hindered the gameplay. Another element I loved was the neon imagery and the mindless graffiti. They gave the action a seedy edge, and it linked in nicely with its predecessor. Unfortunately, though, the rushed gameplay and the never-ending running force you to miss most of these excellent moments. As such, SENSEs Midnight doesn’t hit the mark.
In typical horror fashion, the audio takes the lead role. The suspenseful music and excellent use of silence add to the drama. Additionally, the sound effects were uncomfortably absurd, and this worked perfectly with the theme. My only complaint is the text-based dialogue. It would have been nice to have some voice notes to break things up. Moreover, the texts occasionally go too fast and you may miss key information as a consequence.
Clumsy controls.
Besides the camera angle, my biggest frustration was the controls. The protagonist moves at 2 speeds; meander or sprint. Neither is suitable for every occasion, but walking is an absolute no, no. Accordingly, you’ll sprint everywhere like a demented chicken. On top of this, you’ll crash into walls, benches and other obstacles repeatedly. This was annoying and only impacted the game whenever you were being chased. Disappointingly, SENSEs Midnight wasn’t as intuitive as its predecessor, and this was frustrating.
The action is undeniably short. Consequently, you’ll have this finished in the blink of an eye. Luckily, though, the price point is relatively low, so this isn’t too worrying. If you can cope with the shortcomings, there are reasons to return. However, once I completed it, I didn’t wish to return.
SENSEs Midnight didn’t float my boat.
Though I enjoyed the theme and the Easter Eggs from its predecessor, I wasn’t impressed. The step up from 2D to 3D wasn’t as spectacular as I’d hoped and it doesn’t maximise its potential. Moreover, the controls and the camera angles let it down. However, I liked the use of text messages and the puzzles were set at the right level. Yes, I would have liked the messages to be slower, but this wasn’t to be. All things considered, this is good for the price and I recommend that you buy it here! Can you survive the ritual? Knock on the door, awaken the spirits, and run for your life.
