Order Up!: Inunaki Tunnel
By Rae
After my great experience with The Convenience Store, I decided it was time to check out some more offerings from Chilla’s Art. With several offerings ranging from spooky action to tense walking simulators, there’s a lot in their catalog to choose from. Eventually I’ll do a bigger overlook at the Chilla’s Art games after I’ve had the chance to play more, but for now let’s talk about the incredibly tense adventure of Inunaki Tunnel.
Inunaki Tunnel is a real location in Japan, with plenty of spooky mysteries around it. A closed passage through a mountain into remote areas, Inunaki Tunnel is blocked off, with endless whispers about hauntings and mysterious sounds. Though unproven, rumours include isolated villages becoming ill and sealed off by the authorities, and even tales of cannibalistic villagers ready to murder anyone who enters their lands.
In a bid for “most foolish horror game protagonist” (right up there with Clock Tower 3), the main character has a dream – becoming the first content creator to stream the entirety of Inunaki Tunnel and become famous in the process. What could go wrong, right?
The atmosphere from the very start is tense and uncomfortable as you climb your way past the blocked entrance and enter the dirty, dark tunnels. It’s easy to get lost and occasionally your camera’s face recognition seems to go off at odd times. Noises echo in the distance, and remnants of the past are everywhere…
While there aren’t monsters and ghouls to fight or run from in Inunaki Tunnel, there is a little more gameplay than in The Convenience Store. You’ll come across a few more puzzles in order to be able to move ahead, and some object searching. There are statues to complete, puzzles to solve, and things to find. Your actions and completion of certain puzzles will affect which of three endings you end up with – two of which are terrifying, and one of which will have you sighing deeply at the character you’ve been playing this whole time.
Inunaki Tunnel is quite a slow burn, but one that I think is pretty worthwhile – the atmosphere starts off tense and only gets tenser as you move forward. Every moment I was waiting for something to come after me or appear in the darkness. It’s a game I’d love to see more lore from and would have gladly spent more time playing, but was very ready to put down and take a deep breath after I got my (unfortunately bad) ending.
If you’re looking for something spooky that isn’t action-based and don’t mind the discomfort of being alone underground exploring, Inunaki Tunnel is a short, deeply uncomfy adventure through the darkness.
Order Up! is a weekly column featuring indie-focused reviews, news, or interviews! We like old games just as much as new ones and are always looking for something to check out. Have a game recommendation, a project, or a company you want to talk about? Email me at rae@thegeeklygrind.com or find me on Twitter @ArcanaChance
