Echo Night, And Then There Were None, and Aokigahara

Hello and welcome back! (Well it's more of the other way around.) Please excuse my long absence. I've been trying to figure out what to exactly write for my articles since I've lost memory of several things in my life. (For example, it's been so long since I've seen a certain film or played a certain game that it'll be nostalgia to me, as if I'm playing it again for the very first time.) So I was on a short quest of reading, listening, playing, watching (basically three out of the five senses because I can't smell them or it'd be awkward on how they taste, actually I can't think of anything related to the other two..... oh wait....)

They smell and taste delicious......

On the other hand, it was hard for me to decide what certain picks should I showcase first in order to pique your interest and keep you viewing, but I think I found some picks that would interest you long enough. The first object I'd like to show you is:

Echo Night

How should I start......well I know most of you haven't played this game since it wasn't as famous as Resident Evil or Silent Hill. Those who have played it noted that the other two releases of the game were better than the precursor of this series (Yes it's an actual game series, not like it's anything bad.) There were some problems with it but still made itself a notable horror series to horror enthusiasts. I will get to the problems later, since I should really introduce this game more.

If you couldn't tell from the photos, this game series revolves around ghosts. It's not an action shooter about zombies. It's not slaughtering up mutated monsters. It's not even about hiding or catching psycho killers. This game revolves around either avoiding or communicating with ghosts. I know some of you are a little disappointed, but really I think it's a great series that actually has a great story to follow (Even though this one is very complicated.) It's one of the few game series I've played that pulled it off with only ghosts (Actually rare in the horror genre.) and had sequels to it. The story is about Richard Osmond, whom gets escorted by a police officer to visit his father's home, which is left in ashes after a fire. His father is missing and the moment you search the house, you find a diary in a hidden passage that takes you back in time to witness something horrific on a train. When you return to the present, you continue on to find a hidden room with a single interesting painting of a glorious cruise ship called the Orpheus that once again teleports you to the past. This time you arrive on the ship deck to discover it is abandoned. What seems worse is the fact that there are very pissed off spirits trying to kill you. Take the little girl in the above photo for instance. She's the first a-hole you run into. The only thing that protects you is light, which you're going to be roaming around the ship for light switches or other sources of energy. The interesting part of Echo Night is the ability to put these souls to rest, which every time you do so, you either unlock another area or learn more about the tragedies that continue to haunt the Orpheus. It's also doesn't rely on jump scares or gore in order to sort of creep you out. It's more of the atmosphere of the game, the unsettling nerve of walking past every door to see if you're safe or you have to find the nearest light source. Relying on the Gothic Horroresque atmosphere as a scare tactic, you navigate around the ship to various puzzles either located on the Orpheus or time traveling back to a phantom's past. Your life is shown as a blue gem you carry around that can take a couple of attacks before you become a permanent VIP on the ship. It also includes alternate endings depending on the decisions you make during the last few minutes of the game. Now that I've given you a bit of the plot and gameplay mechanics, It's time to get a little serious.

Yes that's my writing, don't complain....

While being attacked by ghosts isn't an original thought, the idea of isolation on a ship full of them with the added dreadful sorrow around the history is something not seen very often in horror adventure games. The idea of also putting them to peaceful rest (Including the douchebags, yes) is also something that often doesn't appear much. Amongst all of the games in the series, fans consider this the least favorite. The plot line is difficult for some people to follow, since you have to travel back and forth finding missing information or valuable items, but it is beautiful and very original. (In fact, your real enemy isn't actually an apparition.) There is also limited items, so it's wise not to act like a jackass running around aimlessly. The puzzles are not too difficult to solve, though sometimes you may need to double check on that walkthrough to make sure you didn't miss anything important. There's not too many scary moments in the game, only just barely lit rooms that give you a sense of claustrophobia. Also, since this is on the Playstation, you mostly speed walk like a robot, but other than that, the controls are great. (Even though it's confusing for a beginner without a manual when you start.) It's also a classic game, so please appreciate it (I'm looking at you dipshits who complain how "unrealistic" it is.) So now that it's settled, I'm going to try to rate this game (Remember though, it is only my opinion. I don't make the ultimate judgment since I really don't see myself as a critic.) I think I'm going to say:

Now that I made the decision, let's move on to the next item to showcase. Here is #2:

And Then There Were None

One of the most well known works in the Murder Mystery department. A timeless classic, yet I wonder if anyone remembers this. For those of you that haven't, this novel is an interesting read that actually inspired a shitload on the Horror genre. For those of you that try to deny this, let's take a first simple look at this legendary tale of not trusting anyone.....literally. Okay here's the thing: Imagine getting off some random fisherman's boat with 9 other morons and venturing a private island where the "local" inhabitants have disappeared, only to figure out the missing host decides to "play a game" and murders you according to a twisted nursery rhyme that's even more fucked up then "Ring Around The Rosie". (Yet it's a favorite children's song) Yes, that's right. That's basically the whole plot of the story, but wait, that's not all! It becomes even more mindfucking the reason why they are there and how twisted the ending becomes. Your main viewpoint focuses on Vera Claythorne, a governess constantly traumatized by flashbacks, arrives as a guest to a glorious island only to find out from a gramophone recording that no one will leave until they are "punished" for their crimes. Then, one by one, the guests die of unusual circumstances according to a certain children's rhyme. Along with the murder, a figurine (which there are 10 displayed) would be later revealed to be broken after every death.

The fact that you're on a island, where you boat left an hour ago before you realize you're entirely screwed and help is several miles away is frightening. (This beat the shit out of Harper's Island by several decades.) Vera's character development is also amazing. Noting Vera's brain deliberately snapping at the tiny flashbacks with the fear that her colleagues might kill her gives us the psychological fear of your entire identity being found out when you don't have a single damn clue on who the perpetrator is. The plot twist and the technique on how the murders were carried out were definitely influential. The plot line also is reminiscent of the 80's slasher craze (Where a certain number of individuals are plucked out one by one in gruesome fashions.) adding the ingenious recreation that Hannibal Lecter would have approved. All the characters are also deeply realistic in a way since you learn everyone's back story (Including the first ass to get permanently "wiped out"). Other than that, I wouldn't recommend the novel to people who aren't patient enough to read books if they're only there for the "action". It's a slow read, but it's definitely worth it. Also, since this story is old, it has gone through so many adaptions and changes (Th original name of the book was literally called "Ten Little Niggers".........Thank God they changed that shit.) so don't be expecting a book that's about to crumble on your damn hands. Now that I'm done, it's time to give this a vote. My vote will be:

Moving onward, I would like to introduce to you the last item. This isn't something I can actually vote on since it seems impossible. The third item on today's gallery is:

Aokigahara

Isn't it beautiful from up here. Yet if I were to tell you that this is one of the most mysterious yet screwed up places on the planet, would you still hold that same view? Or are you starting to feel that ominous sense of dread but curiosity still has a hold on you? What if I told you that this place has a pretty popular record that is something you shouldn't even brag about on the Guinness World Records? How about that it has to happen in a location like this? (Now you may be wondering, "What's so bad about it?") Here's the thing:

Even this photo feels a little unsettling

It only looks somewhat pretty because you're looking at it from an aerial point-of-view. However, the real horror starts as soon as you reach the bottom. Let me clarify: You only wish you were looking at the top of this forest. (Warning: not for the faint of whatever your health condition is to see shocking images. I know, they screwed me up for an entire day.)

This is a warning sign: I'll get into it in a bit

Picture this: You are taking a nice stroll inside Mother Nature's pit hair (Trust me, it doesn't smell nice.) when all of a sudden, you stumble across a sign stating to "Please change your mind" and "Think about your future!". That's not the only one though, as your spot several more makeshift signs with messages like "It's not worth it!", "Think about the people that love you!" and my all time personal favorite, "Don't do it!" Now you're starting to feel a little bit uncanny on why there are so many signs, until you finally realize your lost and everything looks the same. Frantically you move into one direction, occasionally spotting random items that don't belong in a forest (School supplies, camp equipment, clothing, condoms most likely) and when you thought nothing could get worse, You spot a hanged decomposing body.

Yes, that's right. Aokigahara is one of the most popular sites in the world to commit suicide. Yet there isn't an explanation on why the victims chose this place. It's doesn't seem to hold a heavenly purpose (Let alone on the looks of it.....well except for the caves maybe but that's it.) Plus, if you actually visit the location, the first thing you'll notice is how extremely quiet the place is. The leveling inside the forest, along with the thickness of the forestation make it extremely hard for wind to pass through. There is also that creepy question lingering: Where did all the animals go?

Aokigahara has been the suspect of several legends, mainly the fact that it used to be the home of several demons. The forest has been widely associated with death that it even predates the popularity of a 60's book called "The Black Sea Of Trees". Ubasute: the practice of carrying a physically weak person into an isolate area and abandoning them to die from starvation, dehydration, or exposure, has been practiced inside Aokigahara way long before the book came out and all the teenagers decided to perform the "Suicide Circle" routine there. Even some rumors claim either spiritual possession, psychological horror effects (Try the "Blair Witch" theory) or somewhat of a cult association to help further the mass of dead bodies in the forest. Don't you just feel bad yet quite paranoid on what really goes on in there?

That is all I can come up with at the moment since I have to look back at more items to showcase. (Don't worry, my next update will not take forever like last time.) I hope you enjoyed todays showcasing! I will be seeing you all later. Good night!