Review: Omescape Sunnyvale - Haunting at Haruka High

RATING: 6 Keys RESULT: Win REMAINING: 1:02

Desks, dorms, and one dead student. Surely, there is nothing to worry about.

Story

A dark curse surrounds Haruka High School after the mysterious death of one of its beloved students. As you search for answers, you realize there is something more sinister lurking behind this tragedy. Can you uncover the truth and break the curse before your time runs out?

Haruka High was nothing out of the ordinary until one of their most cherished students died. Investigators first learn some basic background about the school and a few of the students. Then, the team must go inside to discover what has happened. Make no mistake, this story is one-of-a-kind where you will be front and center throughout, even if you don’t want to be. This game dramatically unfolds with plenty of twists, turns, and drama as teams navigate the school, so we cannot spoil the secrets of what lies ahead. Good luck investigators, and stay safe.

There are moments where the story is developing and provides somewhat of a break from the horror. It is compelling but drags too long at times. It is still an enjoyable and complex plot that teams will need to understand to succeed.

Scenic

The team begins in an unassuming space on a sofa. This area is sparse, keeping distractions away as investigators learn about Haruka High School. The set is basic but effective in its job.

Moving out of this area, the entrance lies in front. Not knowing what to expect, a step is taken into the chilling halls of Haruka High School. Something doesn’t feel right, what happened here?

As investigators move around, they learn more about the history of where they reside. Each room is distinct and unique from the last, evoking a wide array of emotions. One space here is especially smart in its design and revelations, it is horrifically beautiful.

Haruka High School generally provides chilling lighting, with few moments of darkness. Omescape Sunnyvale has found a way to keep the scares plentiful without removing the sense of sight. The lighting is dynamic, guiding investigators along, and matching the energy of what is happening at any given time. Sometimes it provides sources of comfort, but other times, it is not so friendly.

Visually, every detail is accounted for, but there is clever usage of unseen spaces, providing one surprise after another. There are even some fun, modern ties to the real world that can be spotted with a careful eye.

Overall, the set is nothing short of phenomenal. Omescape Sunnyvale went all-in with the design, and it paid off massively.

Puzzles

This game is not jammed with puzzles, rather, it focuses on the storyworld and tells the tale of Haruka High School. That being said, there is still plenty of critical thinking to be had.

The riddles within seamlessly fit the plot, but unlike many games, investigators must pay close attention to the story to succeed. Fortunately, Omescape Sunnyvale has cleverly designed the game so that teams can focus on the information provided while staying engaged. For a story with this much complexity and depth, it is impressive.

There are unique mechanics throughout as well as some more typical elements. One section in particular, investigators become the center of attention and it wonderfully mixes the puzzles with the story. Omescape Sunnyvale does a great job here in making the puzzles feel high consequence by applying just the right amount of pressure to help keep teams motivated (or stressed).

In Haunting at Haruka High, the tasks stay in theme with the Japanese roots. Investigators may even learn a thing or two!

Overall

Omescape Sunnyvale has built quite a reputation over the years, and Haunting at Haruka High continues to remind us why. This game is unique; it is not very often you step inside a cursed Japanese high school in an escape game. When you finish your experience, you get some cool team photos that Omescape Sunnyvale smartly takes where it truly looks cursed.

Right when you step inside, you are greeted with excellent, knowledgeable staff. There are a lot of games here, but Omescape Sunnyvale is organized and welcoming. We cannot wait to come back here and experience their other games!