Order Up! Paper Ghost Stories: 7PM
By Rae
Earlier this fall, we went to PAX West and one of the games we’re most looking forward to from the show is Paper Ghost Stories: Third Eye Open, developed by Cellar Vault Games and published by Chorus Worldwide. Third Eye Open’s authentic dialect and unique artwork really stood out, and its 2023 release can’t come soon enough. If you’re like me and look forward to fun new horror games, you can get a sneak peek at what Cellar Vault Games has in store for us through their small 2020 release, Paper Ghost Stories: 7PM.
Advertised as the “first, bite-sized installment of an anthology horror series,” 7PM is indeed bite-sized, at about 40-55 minutes (depending how quickly you read). The game tells the story of a single afternoon through the eyes of three children: Lun, Wen, and Ming. The three living in the same building, and recently have had a new neighbor move in – a mysterious child that never comes out and a father who shouts to go away whenever anyone knocks.
While chatting with the neighbor Auntie who lives right next door to the strange newcomers, Wen is asked to run upstairs to collect her forgotten water bottle, and thus starts a series of strange events…
The first thing to note is that the art style of Paper Ghost Stories is inspired by traditional Asian shadow plays, relying on cutouts to create its scenes. The resulting aesthetic is vibrant, striking, and pretty fresh for the horror genre.
This first introduction to Paper Ghost Stories features a little bit of gameplay, but not much just yet. As the children, you’ll make your way through some dialogue, travel into the apartment, and play an incredibly uncomfortable game of hide and seek. Most of 7PM revolves around the story – who is the mysterious kid next door? Why don’t they play with anyone? Who does the neighbor keep waving to in the distance each night?
The story of 7PM may be short, but it’s also quite good. There are a few well-timed jumpscares, an unanswered mystery, and a conclusion that is as heartwarming as it is spooky. The playtime is short, but it’s a welcome sneak peek into what we can expect from future entries in the Paper Ghost Stories anthology, and I’m excited to see more of how Cellar Vault Games has refined their stories and gameplay for future full-length entries.
I do think this one is worth picking up and that for $5 it’s a fun experience, though it is not very replayable unless you’re interested in getting all the achievements. Paper Ghost Stories is a scary step into Malaysian horror, and it's definitely got me excited for our upcoming adventures in Third Eye Open.
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
