Hollow Cocoon is a potential hit for fans of Japanese horror

destructoid.com:

Horror has played a key part in my upbringing (“that explains a lot,” says the funniest person in the room). These days, it’s mainly through games that I get my scares, which is why I was quite excited when Steam Next Fest rolled around again.

Scouring the horror section has been a delight, and while there have been some that haven’t stood out, I want to give a shoutout to Nayuta Studio‘s Hollow Cocoon. This tasty jam of an indie horror title has a lot of potential, appealing to those who like a bit of Japanese folklore to spread on their gaming toast like some sort of macabre marmalade (that is definitely not a thing).

Hollow Cocoon has all the hallmarks of an immersive horror experience. Is it unique? Not really, but playing the demo ticked all the boxes for me. And for a small studio, the game appears to have been very lovingly crafted. There’s enough intrigue and mystery to create a compelling narrative, enough atmosphere to make you grip the mouse tighter, and visuals that can match a lot of triple AAA efforts.

Set in 1980s Japan, Hollow Cocoon takes a lot of cues from first-person horror titles of the “run-and-hide” variety. At least, that’s the impression I got from playing the demo. I have a huge soft spot for games that toss you into the darkness with nary a baseball bat or kitchen knife for protection. Whether the full game does allow for combat later on cannot be said at this stage.

As far as the story goes, I’ll let the Steam page field that one:

Step into the shoes of Minato Jinba, a college student returning to his mother’s hometown after receiving news that his grandmother is in critical condition. Hide yourself from the monster and gather vital evidence to unravel the bone-chilling truth lurking beneath