Densha Soul

Hi and... ok, ok I am pretty sure you are wondering what Densha mean, because this is what I did, well I think that everyone knows the meaning of Soul. But Densha? Densha means train in japanese. Ok? Can we start the review now?
Densha Soul is a RPG Maker XP game by mightydarkchocolate in 2014, and it's a puzzle horror game, but you probably guessed that from the title of the game and of this review.

The game obviously takes place in a haunted train station and train of Kuro City (Kuro means black so... Black City?), of course, and this happens because there's a full red moon. But the protagonist Momo is not from Kuro city, so she is not aware of these dangers (or even if she was, she probably won't be superstitious), so she takes the only train available at night to go home, since her mother is ill. Oh pity that the train is named H-666... seen what will happen later, this is no coincidence (that's incredible! Isn't it?).


As long as she keeps doing that there's no problem for me!

This is a horror scenario, so expect some startling moments, there aren't many jumpscares but the place is unsettling, there are ghosts lurking around, dark places where writings suddenly appear on the walls, traps, and also some hostile monsters. Yes, luckily not every creature will be hostile, otherwise this would be a survival horror and not a puzzle horror adventure. In any case do not underestimate the evil creatures, while in the beginning these are mostly harmless, in later parts of the game you may find some opponents that may kill you instantly or deliver a fate worse than death! No, sorry I'm joking, I mean that they can slow you, but yes, it's a terrible condition, that luckily you can still heal using medikits!

Since I used the word "puzzle" let's talk a bit about these: the game is about exploring the various environments, collect item and completing some tasks including fetch quests and puzzles that start quite easy and become gradually more complex. Remember what you take because it's not that a puzzle comes after the other, but instead you may begin several puzzles before completing one of them. The often consists of various parts connected (for example you may have to: look for an item to use and find another item that you need to modify to obtain the final item to complete a task) but in most of the cases it's a logical progression, just remember not to confuse an mix the various items of the different puzzles!


Ohhhhh... how cute!

Visually the game is really well made: despite my usual dislike for Rpgmaker XP resources and their style, I found the visuals appropriate and very well made, full of creepy details and evocative. It's not just a "station and train but with darkness included" but instead it presents a variety of creatures and ghosts, detailed environments, and I must admit that the atmosphere is interesting. Besides some sprites that are clearly taken from somewhere and not the usual Rtps or resource packs (like the skeletons, I guess) there is also room for some custom art, the important characters have in fact portraits that are clearly custom made and fit the style of a japanese anime horror adventure.
The story is also pretty good, and as mentioned in the description of the game, this is a horror romance game take place in a hell train. Ok, that's not totally new since also one of the recent games I played had a romance included, anyway it's clearly not something we're used to find in a horror game, isn't it?

All good? Unfortunatly there are some minor problems, for example I found a couple of mapping imprecisions and errors (for example I could walk on a wall and exit from the play area, nothing game breaking in any case) and some typos, not I did not find all these little issues too annoying. It's clear that originally the game was supposed to be a bit more complete, including an extra ending (the true ending, here there are just a normal and bad ending) and the development was interrupted, anyway this "part one" is still a complete game, so I would not bother too much.


Guess what? This tall bony guy needs our help! Do not worry, he'll prove himself useful!

Final Verdict
Densha Soul is a game whose biggest problems are the grammatical and spelling errors, anyway it's still a pretty good puzzle game with a horror atmosphere and some interesting visuals. Chase events and puzzles are nothing new of course, but in this case the final result is pretty good and I liked the game also thanks to the custom artworks and portraits.
A lot of work went into this game and despite the little flaws it's an enjoyable adventure, if you also like the genre and this kind of gameplay, setting and story you will surely love it!