- Narrative adventure × supernatural mystery set in a modern Chinese city
- Hand-drawn animation style goes viral on social media… Humor, horror, and emotion all in one
A new supernatural adventure title featuring the aesthetics of hand-drawn animation and a unique ghost-hunting mechanism is garnering attention.
“Ghost Hunting Journal,” presented by developer Spicy Games and publisher Okasan’s Recipe, has recently emerged as a highly anticipated title, quickly gaining buzz, particularly on X (formerly Twitter). Currently, a free playable demo is available on PC (Steam) to experience the core of the game in advance.
The world after death… City of ‘illegal soul residents’
Ghost Hunting Journal is set in a world where souls remain in the mortal world even after death. While most souls depart for reincarnation, some who cannot let go of their attachments linger throughout the city. These individuals are known as ‘Spirit Residents (SPR)’ or ‘Soul Squatters,’ and they intervene in human lives, sometimes as playful beings and other times as dangerous ones.
The player becomes a ‘Spirit Agent’ operating amidst this chaos, tracking down the mysteries of a modern city where the boundaries between life and the afterlife are intertwined. Ghost stories and urban legends naturally intertwine, forming a unique atmosphere and worldview.
A supernatural mystery solved by two protagonists
Ghost Hunting Journal is a narrative adventure set in the fictional Chinese metropolis of Riverrun. A duo of soul brokers, who are polar opposites but perfectly in sync, utilize their unique abilities to investigate supernatural events.
Tension-filled encounters with ghosts, witty humor, and a character-driven narrative blend in balance, delivering both suspense and immersion in each episode. The relationship and chemistry between the two characters also serve as a core element of the game.
Gameplay combining hand-drawn aesthetics and a creative system
The game emphasizes visual distinctiveness with a hand-drawn animation style and dynamic direction, and features a unique gameplay style enhanced by a dual protagonist switching system.
In particular, the system for directly crafting tools to detect, track, and subdue ghosts is eye-catching. It is characterized by incorporating the ‘preparation and design’ process itself into the gameplay, going beyond simple combat.
The city exploration element, where you can freely move around the city via light rail, interact with NPCs, and explore a vibrant mountain city, also catches the eye.
Word-of-mouth started at X… “A work that precisely targets a niche in the genre”
Ghost Hunting Journal quickly gained buzz, primarily on Twitter, even before its official release. Following the unveiling of its hand-drawn animation-style visuals, spontaneous sharing and reactions have ensued within the gaming community. In particular, the atmosphere that blends humor and horror, as well as the unique structure featuring dual protagonists, are receiving favorable reviews. A fanbase is forming even before launch.
Media outlets specializing in indie games are also giving positive reviews. The theme of a supernatural tale set in a modern Chinese city is a rare attempt in the Western market, and the deep narrative contrasting with the cute visuals is cited as a distinguishing feature.
Since the release of the Steam demo, reactions have continued to pour in, with comments such as “the chemistry between the two protagonists is the heart of the game” and “it starts lightly but draws you into a world deeper than expected.” The atmosphere is shifting beyond mere visual buzz to anticipation for the gameplay and narrative.
The first work by story-driven indie studio Spicy Games
Spicy Games is a two-person development studio that pursues immersive, story-driven games combining supernatural mystery with the expressive visuals characteristic of animation. Its core values are character-driven narratives, immersive worldviews, and creative system design.
Ghost Hunting Journal is the first work that encapsulates the studio’s philosophy and is drawing attention from within and outside the indie scene for its head-on exploration of the unfamiliar subject of supernatural folklore set in a modern Chinese city.
Ghost Hunting Journal is currently available for preview via a free demo on Steam, allowing players to experience its core gameplay and narrative in advance. With word of mouth spreading for its hand-drawn visuals, dual protagonist structure, and unique atmosphere combining humor and horror, attention is focused on how well this game will perform in the indie adventure genre after its official release.
Ghost Hunting Journal Basic Information
| item | detail |
|---|---|
| Developer | Spicy Games |
| Publisher | Okasan’s Recipe |
| Genre | Narrative Adventure / Supernatural Mystery |
| Release platform | PC (Steam) |
| demo | Currently available for free trial on Steam |
| background | The fictional Chinese metropolis ‘Riverrun’ |
| graphics | Hand-drawn animation / Comic book directing style |
| Key Features | Dual protagonist system · Tool crafting · City exploration · Light rail travel |
| Steam Page | store.steampowered.com/app/3646950/Ghost_Hunting_Journal |
