Spirit Hunter: Death Mark
Released: June 1st, 2017 (JP), October 31st, 2018 (WW)
Developer(s): Experience
Publisher(s): Aksys Games
Platform(s):
Completed on Nintendo Switch, Handheld mode.
True Ending + Red Riding Hood DLC
HowLongToBeat Time: 11 hours | My Clear Time: 15 hours
Background
Prior to Death Mark, Experience Inc. had established themselves for making dungeon RPGs such as Stranger of Sword City and Demon Gaze. Initially, Death Mark wasn’t an adventure game but had an RPG-like mechanics such as MP and other hack and slash elements in the initial concept. ‘When something scary happens in a place you often go to, you remember that scary experience and start walking faster as you pass. That’s the way I wanted to do it'(Furuya, 2017).
In another interview, when representative director Genji Senzu and director Motoya Ataka were asked what their favorite horror games were after Death Mark, they responded with ‘Twilight Syndrome, Yuyami Dori Explorers and Resident Evil‘ (Furuya, 2017).
When something scary happens in a place you often go to, you remember that scary experience and start walking faster as you pass. That’s the way I wanted to do it
– Motoya Ataka
Screenshot of the Rumors of the Mark file from Spirit Hunter: Death Mark.
Experience
My first experience with Experience, was playing Death Mark due to it being suggested by a friend of mine back in 2021. Prior to this, the only visual novels I had completed were Fate/Extra, Phoenix Wright, The Silver Case, and Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective. Aksys Publishing I knew of because of BlazBlue, Arcana Heart, and Under-Night. Experience with horror in games was mostly Resident Evil, Silent Hill, Obscure, Condemned, F.E.A.R. The Evil Within, and a few others.
Yashiki and Moe explore a hallway with the map showing their route.
Impressions
Ghosts were something that didn’t quite invoke a degree of uneasiness in me until this series. The way the sounds, landscapes and spirit designs come together is something Team Silent would be proud of. The first-person dungeon style exploration adds to the immersion, making the short breaks between Live-Or-Die altercations evoke a sense of anxiety and malaise.
The backstories for the spirits are just as terrifying as they are interesting, making you wanting to power through the next haunt to get to the next story bit. Death Mark can also be punishing with requiring you to know some things not well translated within it, so a spoiler-free guide is suggested to fully enjoy.
Death Mark Live or Die screen showing three choices and the 1948 soul power meter.
Verdict
Aside from a few translation issues, Death Mark should have its players looking into the other two volumes of the Spirit Hunter series. The atmosphere and presentation had me looking up the artists after finishing it, along with eventually purchasing the limited edition for the Nintendo Switch. Shimi-O’s backstory, Hanayome, Red Riding Hood and the ‘Bearers of the Mark‘ theme will be topics of conversation, and maybe you’ll be like me and talk to anyone that’ll listen about the series.
TLDR
Rating: 8.5/10
In Summary: Death Mark offers an immersive horror experience with its atmospheric presentation, engaging exploration, and compelling narrative. While the game’s translation issues may present some hurdles, its captivating atmosphere and intriguing spirit backstories make it a worthwhile journey for horror enthusiasts.
Despite its flaws, Death Mark succeeds in delivering a chilling adventure that leaves a lasting impression, enticing players to explore deeper into the Spirit Hunter series.
References
- Furuya, Y. (2017, January 13). Why does Experience dare to work on the adventure “Death Mark”? Hear from Mr. Senzu & Mr. Ataka about the further challenges of the dungeon RPG masters. Famitsu.com.
https://www.famitsu.com/news/201701/16124676.html
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