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Hello, I am An Su-in from the first Stove Crew!

This keyword content is about the horror Tsukur game genre.

Let's talk about it!

Games these days place importance on gorgeous graphics and how realistic they are expressed!

Even among them, are there any genres that are consistently loved?

I think you all have probably played it at least once.

It's a Tsukur game.

(Zombie High School)

Tsukur games are games created using the RPG Creation Tool (RPG Tsukur, aka 'Alman Tool').

Most of them are made with dot graphics and a top-down view.

It feels similar to games like Pokemon HeartGold.

However, we cannot take it lightly as simple graphics.

(Chloe's Requiem)

The sense of immersion actually increases as character facial images appear in the dialogue window and the story is presented like a visual novel.

(tie up)

Also, depending on the creator, they may use dots that they have taken themselves instead of basic graphics, or

Each work is characterized by its own unique atmosphere and colors, with detailed illustrations added.

But as you know from the title,

You might be thinking, "So what's the deal with Tsukur + horror?"

In fact, many Tsukuru games choose the 'horror' genre.

Representative works include “Eve,” “Ao Oni,” and “The Witch’s House.”

In particular, the horror Tsukur games have created their own unique world within Tsukur .

Limited graphics and sound allow users to expand their imagination.

It works exquisitely to maximize the horror .

So with this keyword content

I'd like to talk about a horror game called Tsukur.

Where do most horror tsukuru games begin?

IB is an art museum, the weird syndrome is a friend's house, and Ichiro's boy Kitan is a school...

(Left: Ichiro Boy Kitan / Right: Eve)

Suddenly caught up in a strange situation that appears in a familiar place

The protagonist is unable to leave the space he entered because of an unknown force.

Also, that familiar place is no longer familiar, it becomes ominous, and strange.

Let's think about other horror games, such as Outlast or Papi's Playtime.

For example, doesn't it start in a suspicious space from the beginning rather than a familiar space?

In this situation, the player's goal is to return to normal daily life,

You naturally accept that there is an escape from that place.

(Left: Paranormal / Right: House of Rules)

This is probably due to the accessibility of Tsukur games.

Unlike other games, Tsukur games have 2D dot graphics.

There is a limitation in that fear must be conveyed within a limited expressive power, but

(Count Lucanor)

In horror games other than Tsukur, there are no such limitations, so a scary atmosphere can be created from the beginning.

That is why in Tsukur games, rather than explaining unfamiliar spaces in detail,

The idea is to use familiar places as the backdrop and use the moments when that familiarity is broken and distorted to create a sense of fear.

Tsukur horror game

Other horror games (3D graphics)

The Crooked Man

The main character, David, starts off in a new apartment he just moved into.
The story unfolds as strange noises and monsters appear in the house.
👉 As the familiar space of living alone becomes increasingly unstable, fear increases.

  Outlast (Outlast)

The story begins with the protagonist entering a closed mental hospital to uncover the secret of his target.
👉From the beginning, you play with the premise that it is a ‘dangerous place’ .

  Mad Father (Mad Father)

The main character Aya starts in her family's mansion.
At first glance, it looks like an ordinary mansion,

Her daily life falls apart as her father's secret experiments and strange beings appear.
👉 A structure that betrays the safest space, family and home.

Poppy Playtime

Misao (Misao)

It all starts at school, but
After a friend named Misao goes missing, one day the school suddenly becomes a cursed world.
👉   The point is that the school that everyone knows becomes a terrible place in an instant .

Resident Evil (Biohazard)

As an agent, you will be deployed to areas where the zombie virus has spread or to ruins from the beginning.
👉 There is no such thing as a safe daily life, and you are forced into a situation where you have to “survive” from the very beginning .

Additionally, it is not a high-quality graphic, but an Alman tool.

Since there is an easy game making program

You can also see various people trying their hand at the Tsukuru genre.

I've tried making it at least once... ^_^

One of the charms of horror games is that the 'player' is not the main character,

The point is that you get to experience the story from the perspective of a clearly defined character .

(Left: Freddy's Pizzeria series / Right: Exit 8)

For example, in games like 'Freddy's Pizza' or 'Exit 8', the player is not a specific character,

The game simply progresses from the player's own perspective . But Tsukuru games are different.

(Angel of Slaughter)

The main character's name, personality, past, and even lines are clearly set.

Representative examples include 'Yonaka' from Mogeko Castle and 'Ray' from Angel of Slaughter.

We experience the story together by following their emotions and actions.

(Left: Mogeko Castle / Right: Forest with Drizzle)
Perhaps due to the accessibility of Tsukur games, there are limited means of expression.

This is because it is possible to effectively instill fear in a situation through dialogue-centered directing, especially in visual novels .

Thanks to this, I naturally developed affection for the characters in Tsukur games.

Beyond simple gameplay, it leads to fandom. Fans speculate about the past of the main characters,

We analyze the hidden hints of the creator and create secondary creative works.

This whole process makes Tsukur Horror Game more than just a simple horror experience.

I think that's what makes it so loved for so long.

When you think of the horror game 'Ao Oni' right now , during the story progression

Doesn't that sudden, eerie music sound and the purple monster chase scene come to mind?

Even in horror games, chase scenes are an essential element .

What are some cliches in those chase scenes ?

Well then, while we're at it, let's take a look at the cliches of horror game chase scenes with a horror Tsukur game.

(Cat in the Box)

📌 Hide and avoid

When a monster appears, how long will you run away?

In a horror game, there is no escape until the end.

There are hiding spots available, such as closets, cabinets, and under beds.

(Left: Strange Syndrome / Right: From Next Door)

📌 Monster Destruction Method

Is there any way to avoid monsters other than running away?

No, it's a way to defeat it.

There is a point where you can temporarily incapacitate the monster.

No matter how invincible the monster is.

(Ao Oni)

📌 BGM dedicated to the chase

What if a monster was chasing you and classical music was playing?

Of course, elements that are out of sync with the situation, like the BGM in Evangelion, can further stimulate fear, but

In regular horror games, there is a BGM dedicated to the chase.

(Left: Causality / Right: Mad Father)

📌 The chase begins after a sudden appearance

Have you ever seen a monster appear quietly?

In the case of horror games, it is especially important to surprise players.

I think it uses elements of sudden appearances to create a sense of fear.

Of course, the type of sudden change may be different.

(Left: Mermaid Swamp / Right: Akemitan)

📌 Difference in movement speed

Monsters are generally slower than players.

It's usually easier to get caught when you run away with one character

If you choose the wrong path or get caught by an obstacle,

What if the monster is faster than the protagonist?

If the tension isn't maintained, you'll end up thinking, 'Oh, I'm going to get caught anyway.'

That's why monsters have a slower speed than players.

The subtle difference in speed creates tension.

So, I thought some of you might ask, “What games would you recommend?” So I picked some out!

I also wrote a Gamepick review of Cat in the Box

If you are curious, click here and read the detailed review!

Stove exclusive horror Tsukur game? I can't stand this

Go to the Palm Store page

I think that Tsukuru horror games make you feel more than just 'scary' .

Starting from a familiar daily life, the process of falling into an increasingly strange and ominous world,

A protagonist with a distinct personality, chase scenes that keep players on edge, and a search for hidden truths - all of this comes together.

It has been able to gain popularity for a long time and establish itself as a genre.

So in the end, the horror Tsukur game is 'scary'.

It's a genre that can't be defined by just one emotion.

Not just a simple surprise and a lasting horror, but a horror that lingers for a long time.

That's the real fear of Tsukur horror games .

I think it's really attractive ...

So, how about playing some Tsukur horror games while you're at it?

Finally, I will end this article with a recommendation for a horror Tsukur game ~_~)9

📌 Release Information

🕹 Platform: Nintendo Switch™ / Steam®

📅 Switch release date: Friday, April 25, 2025

💻 Steam release date: To be announced

💰 Price: 1,200 yen (discount to commemorate release)

🌍 Supported languages: 10 languages including Japanese, English, and Korean

This time the stage is not a mansion, but an “abandoned hot spring hotel”
Once popular as a ‘hot spring that turns you into a beauty’, now there are only rumors of ghosts…
The main character Hiroshi and his friends enter an abandoned hot spring to film for the popular YouTube channel 'Mika Channel'...

The illustrations of the main characters have been renewed

If you set the main character's name to **'Mae no Kao (Previous Face)'**, you can play with the old illustration!

The fast-paced mode that was well-received in the previous game has been upgraded to 16x speed.

Perfect for speedrunning and streamer challenges after clearing normal mode!

Like the Steam version, the Switch version also features a total of 41 achievement systems.

🟦 80% off all 『青鬼』 works!

⏰ Period: April 19, 2025 - May 2, 2025

🎮 Discount price: 198 yen

🛍️ Available on: Nintendo Switch™, Steam®

It appeared as a free game in 2004.

A survival horror masterpiece where you are chased by the terrifying being 'Blue Ghost' and solve puzzles to escape.

Cumulative downloads exceed 34 million

Global popularity rises after Steam version release in 2024

Switch eShop download ranking 1st place

👻 This time, it's a closed hot spring! Something more spooky than hot spring water awaits you?!
Will you be able to escape safely once again from 『Blue Devil Blueberry Hot Springs Mystery』?