Akai Onna | 赤い女 is a psychological J-horror game featuring a student.
The game primarily features first-person walking simulator mechanics, where players explore the environment and navigate linear levels to escape from a mysterious antagonist - a woman dressed in red.
The review comments indicate that the game encourages players to actively explore the world to uncover the story and progress through the experience. Several players noted the lack of clear objectives or quest markers, requiring them to figure out the correct actions to take in order to reach the good ending. This exploratory nature was appreciated by some players, as it added to the sense of discovery and immersion.
The gameplay focuses on creating a tense and unsettling atmosphere. Reviewers frequently praised the effectiveness of the sound design, particularly the unsettling footstep sounds of the woman in red, in heightening the sense of dread and unease. The limited interactivity and lack of clear direction in the gameplay contributed to this oppressive atmosphere, leaving players constantly on edge, unsure of what might happen next.
While the overall gameplay is relatively straightforward, several reviews highlighted the complexity and challenge involved in achieving the "good" ending. Some players noted that the requirements for the good ending were not immediately clear, leading to frustration but also a sense of satisfaction when they finally figured out the correct sequence of actions to take.
Many players drew comparisons between this game and the titles from the "Chilla's Art" developer, noting similarities in the overall aesthetic, atmosphere, and walking simulator-style gameplay. This comparison was generally seen as a positive, as players who enjoyed the Chilla's Art games found this title to be a welcome addition to the psychological horror genre.