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September 30, 2023

Andreas Betsche

Makers of Malice Announce Chiyo: An Ancient Japan Horror Game to Haunt You in 2023

September 30, 2023 | Andreas Betsche

Malaysian indie game studio Nimbus Games has unveiled their latest creation, Chiyo – a first-person puzzle game set in ancient Japan’s Edo period. Scheduled for release in late 2023, Chiyo promises to immerse players in a world of terror and intrigue, much like its predecessor, Malice.

A screenshot from the ancient Japan horror game Chiyo.

A Return to Ancient Japan’s Edo Era

Chiyo shares its eerie backdrop with Malice, transporting players back in time to the enigmatic Edo era of ancient Japan. As Nimbus Games’ second venture into this intriguing setting, Chiyo looks to build upon the foundation laid by its predecessor.

The Genesis of Malice and Chiyo

Nimbus Games embarked on the journey to create a “virtual escape room” experience in response to the rising popularity of escape rooms in Malaysia during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The result was Malice, a puzzle game set in an ancient Japanese horror theme.

The Tale of Idate Chiyo

In Chiyo, players will step into the shoes of Idate Chiyo, a recently enlisted paranormal investigator serving in the Tokugawa Shogunate’s Magical Arcane Division. Her inaugural assignment leads her to Gōtsu, a mysterious coastal city in Shimane Prefecture, where she must unravel the sinister events shrouding an eerie, long-abandoned mansion. Chiyo’s journey is said to be fraught with otherworldly forces, intricate puzzles, and a dark family history that threatens her very survival.

A Shot at Redemption

For Nimbus Games and publisher SCRY SOFT, based in Singapore and Malaysia, Chiyo represents a shot at redemption following the mixed reception of Malice. The earlier title garnered “overwhelmingly negative” reviews on Steam, mainly due to technical issues and a lack of polish. With Chiyo, the developers aim to demonstrate that they have learned from past mistakes and are ready to deliver a better gaming experience.

Ancient Japan Horror Game Chiyo Comes in Late 2023

As the release date for Chiyo approaches, we eagerly anticipate whether Nimbus Games can recapture the essence of ancient Japan’s horrors without succumbing to technical woes. The allure of this enigmatic setting has drawn players in once before, and they hope that Chiyo will prove to be a spine-tingling success, leaving behind the shadows of its predecessor. Stay tuned for Chiyo’s arrival on Steam, PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 in late 2023!


Andreas Betsche

Andreas Betsche founded Virtual SEA in early 2016 after researching Cambodian mobile games for his Master’s thesis. He has a background in Southeast Asia studies and has worked and lived in Cambodia, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Since he has been actively playing games since the early 90s, combing both worlds in Virtual SEA brought together both of his passions.

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