Game Cover

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Platforms played on: PC

# Review

In this indie horror adventure, the player assumes the role of Lin Lixun, a rookie police officer sent to investigate an arson at a funeral. When Lin arrives, he quickly realizes that there are other forces at work.

Lin, the protagonist

I’ve always found Eastern horror to be much scarier than Western horror because culturally, much of the Eastern beliefs and traditions that Eastern horror relies on are either currently or were very recently still relevant. In Firework, many of the symbols used, such as the different funeral rites, are still relevant today, adding a layer of realism to the horror for those who understand the cultural context. The story starts very interesting but does get a tad predictable and scattered as the plot gets unveiled.

Traditional Chinese funeral symbols

While the game is only 2D with basic graphics, the atmosphere is incredible. The lighting and sound design are both amazing. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t get spooked by some of the scenes and jumpscares. The puzzle elements are also very interesting. The only complaints are that the Western release doesn’t have the original Chinese language, which I would’ve liked to play the game in and the screen aspect ratio being weird on my PC.

Puzzles

# Conclusion

A spooky horror mystery with Chinese symbolisms and motifs.

# Overall rating: 7.8

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