The Witch's House MV Review
An RPG Maker Cult-Classic for a Reason
Beginning its life as a free RPG Maker game by Japanese solo-developer Fummy, The Witch’s House is proof that you don’t need flashy graphics (or a big budget) to make great horror.
In this 16-bit adventure, you play as a young girl named Viola. Lost in the woods, you’ve nowhere left to venture – except into the dark and foreboding manor ahead. As gleefully stated by a suspiciously talkative black cat that likes to hang around, the only way to push forward is to enter this house. Upon entering, you very quickly realize that there is something wrong here.
Death is plentiful in The Witch’s House, where it seems everything is trying to kill you. There are a lot of ways for Viola to die. Trial and error is key in a way that is reminiscent of Playdead’s Limbo. Be prepared for numerous death traps and clever hauntings.
The game boasts multiple endings and a deep story that has since been adapted into a prequel novel and nine-part manga series.
Puzzle solving in The Witch’s House is more akin to old-school adventure games than what we’re used to in the modern horror genre. Gameplay is straightforward ‘pick-up and play’ but the game won’t hold your hand, with no guided objectives in the traditional sense.
I adore the game’s soundtrack. So simple, yet incredibly effective within this style of game – from the eerily soothing title music to the viscerally gruesome sound effects. One sequence in particular is made even more terrifying by the use of some of the most panic inducing music I’ve heard since the ‘Drowning’ theme in Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
This little horror gem left a big impression on me. For a short and memorable horror adventure, the 2018 remake of The Witch’s House MV is available on Steam and consoles.
Learn more about The Witch's House MV by visiting the official website.
DEVELOPED BY:
Fummy
PUBLISHED BY:
DANGEN Entertainment
*This review was originally published in Issue #1 of Fearzine Magazine which was distributed in June 2024.
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