Sumigami for Windows

Sumigami is a short, narrative-driven simulation game that throws players into a surreal, shifting world filled with mysterious creatures. After moving into a new apartment, you’re thrust into a dark, nightmarish version of reality where strange beings — Sumigamis — roam distorted rooms that reflect fragments of your past, urging you to uncover forgotten memories.

In Sumigami, players explore eerie spaces, uncover clues, and investigate their past. Guided only by a flashlight, the game blends atmospheric horror with light survival elements. Two possible endings offer replay value, depending on how thoroughly you explore and interact with every strange entity in the shifting world.

Atmospheric exploration with artistic style

The gameplay centers on exploration and gradual discovery. Players navigate a dark, ever-changing world using a flashlight, uncovering the truth behind their character’s past. Rooms feel familiar but are distorted, filled with odd characters that are as helpful as they are unsettling. However, limited replay value outside of the alternate ending may leave some players with little reason to return once the mystery has been unraveled.

The game features item collection as a core mechanic, helping to piece together the main character’s backstory and reveal what must be done to escape. Some items offer clues, while others are vital for survival. Combined with roaming creatures — both helpful and hostile — the tension builds gradually. However, the minimal gameplay mechanics may feel overly simplistic, as the experience leans more on atmosphere and narrative than on interactive depth.

Sumigami uses a unique evolving visual style, inspired by the work of artist Andre Da Costa. The hand-drawn black-and-white art grows darker or more surreal depending on the story’s progression. While its creative visuals and layered symbolism make it memorable, the very short overall experience — lasting only 30 to 60 minutes — can leave some players wanting more depth or extended gameplay. Similar atmospheric titles include Year Walk and Anatomy.

Emotionally rich experience

Sumigami offers a compact, emotionally rich experience that blends memory, fear, and surrealism into a short but immersive indie horror game. Its evolving black-and-white art style and dual-ending structure add depth and slight replay value for completionists. While the gameplay is minimal and the pacing may feel slow at times, the strong atmosphere and subtle narrative choices make it a memorable and thought-provoking experience worth exploring.

• Fixed a bug that caused players to get stuck in certain places