Spirit Hunter: NG
Released: September 13th, 2018 (JP), October 10th, 2019 (WW)
Developer(s): Experience
Publisher(s): Aksys Games
Platform(s):
Completed on Nintendo Switch in Handheld Mode, True Ending.
HowLongToBeat Time: 16.5 hours | My Clear Time: 15 hours
Background
After 2018’s Spirit Hunter: Death Mark, Experience began working on the next entry as Spirit Hunter: NG. Experience CEO Hajime Chikami comments on the inspiration, atmosphere, and more for NG. When it came to noting the key differences between Death Mark and NG, Chikami said ‘While the characters in Spirit Hunter: Death Mark get suddenly thrown into this out-of-the-ordinary situation where their lives are at stake, in Spirit Hunter: NG the situation is introduced gradually and slowly worsens.
The protagonist is completely different as well; while the main character in Spirit Hunter: Death Mark is a middle-aged amnesiac, the one from Spirit Hunter: NG is a hot-blooded high school student, who is more likely to act impulsively and take drastic actions to achieve his goals’ (Meyers, 2019).
When it comes to the overall atmosphere for making these visual novels, Chikami noted that selecting the correct designer for the job and achieving the mood they are going for in the game, that thousands of concept art are reviewed as that is one of the main factors in deciding the overall tone of the game. After this is done, the chapters are played through multiple times to make sure that it matches the artistic vision in mind. Should it not, it is remade entirely from scratch (Meyers, 2019).
In order to choose the right designer and really get the mood of the game correct, we looked at tens of thousands of pieces of concept art, as that’s one of the elements really central in determining the overall feeling of the game. Then we play through each chapter over and over again to see if it matches our vision. If the chapter seems different from what we had in mind, we re-make it from scratch.
– Hajime Chikami
Experience
Prior to playing Spirit Hunter: NG, my only experience with Experience’s games was completing Death Mark about nine days before completing NG in 2021. After finishing Death Mark, I’ve been more interested in Experience’s games and have kept up with many of the artists such as kera (spirit designer), Fumiya Sumio (character designer) and concept artist Kazuhiro Oya.
At the time of completion, The Silver Case, Phoenix Wright, Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective, Fate/ Extra, and Death Mark are the only VNs that have been completed by myself. Aksys Publishing I knew of because of BlazBlue, Arcana Heart, Under-Night, Zero Escape, Code: Realize.
Impressions
Transitioning from Death Mark to Spirit Hunter: NG, I anticipated a shift in tone and mechanics, and this expectation was met. While the two Spirit Hunter titles differ in several aspects, NG retains the essence of Experience’s signature style, including exceptional music, presentation, and atmosphere.
Notably, NG features smaller areas and a more streamlined user interface compared to Death Mark. This design choice enhances the moment-to-moment experience, allowing players to remain immersed in the game’s world without distractions. Despite the differences, NG maintains its focus on supernatural intrigue, delivering a thrilling narrative with spirits inspired by legends and fantasy.
Overall, my impressions of Spirit Hunter: NG were positive, as it successfully refines the formula established by its predecessor while introducing new elements to keep players engaged. Fans of the series can expect a familiar yet evolved experience, with the game’s polished presentation and immersive gameplay contributing to its appeal.
Verdict
Spirit Hunter: NG delivers on all the expected elements of an Experience title: excellent music, presentation, atmosphere, and immersive gameplay. The introduction of Crisis Choice and Survival Escape, replacing Live-Or-Die, maintains the tension of decision-making, while the overall tone leans more towards thriller than pure horror.
Despite these alterations, the game retains its signature spirits inspired by legends and fantasy. However, it’s worth noting that the art for the CGs can be graphic, potentially unsettling for those unaccustomed to blood and gore. Additionally, the new ‘scare mode’ feature introduces jumpscares, which may detract from the experience for fans of the previous Spirit Hunter installment and can be disabled.
Having recently completed Experience’s Death Mark, Spirit Hunter: NG offers a familiar yet refined experience. In comparison to its predecessor, NG features smaller areas with fewer clues, resulting in a more streamlined gameplay experience. The enhanced user interface heightens immersion and minimizes distractions, allowing the game to focus on building tension and suspense.
While it may lack the depth of its predecessor, NG excels in delivering a polished and captivating supernatural thriller.
TLDR
Rating: 8.5/10
In Summary: Spirit Hunter: NG delivers a refined supernatural thriller experience with captivating storytelling and polished presentation. While lacking the depth of its predecessor, NG excels in building tension and suspense, focusing more on the thriller aspect. The addition of jump scares adds an extra layer of suspense, though it’s recommended to disable for a less intense experience. With multiple endings available, Spirit Hunter: NG is a compelling choice for genre fans.
References
- Meyers, B. (2019, October 10). Spirit Hunter: NG out today on PS4. PlayStation. Blog. https://blog.playstation.com/2019/10/10/spirit-hunter-ng-out-today-on-ps4/
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