Review: The Vietnamese Horror Game 'Tai Ương' Explores Culture

The game starts with the main character, Huy, at his parents' funeral. The room feels small and scary, even with the window open. Huy then sees something that makes him think his sister's death was not normal.
The game begins with a double funeral, which is a sad and scary event.
Huy kneels down in front of his parents' photos and then sees his sister's bloody body. He starts to wonder what really happened to her. Huy then moves to a new place and starts to learn about lucid dreaming to find out the truth.
The first part of 'Tai Ương' is like other horror games, but it has a unique Vietnamese setting. The game's story is exciting and makes players want to keep playing.
The game's setting is inspired by old apartment buildings in Saigon from the 1990s.
The game shows Vietnam in a very realistic way, with details like old homes and streets. The game's dreamworld is also very scary and realistic.
A Honda Cub was a symbol of wealth in Vietnam when it first opened up to the world.
The game's environment is familiar to Vietnamese players, with things like old decorations and bookshelves. But there are also scary things like moving eyes in photos.
How many things in this picture do you recognize?
The puzzles in 'Tai Ương' are not too hard, but players have to figure them out by themselves. They have to search everywhere for clues and hints.
The game's setting is full of hidden stories and secrets, like newspaper cutouts and letters. As players progress, they learn more about Huy's family and its dark past.
There's a lot to learn about Huy's dysfunctional family.
Players who grew up in Saigon will recognize the old apartment building in the game. The game also tells the story of Huy's family history, including secrets and lies.
The game's story and lore are its strongest points, making it a great experience. However, the controls and animation can be frustrating at times.
At Saigoneer, we like to show the best of Vietnamese culture. But 'Tai Ương' also shows the darker side of culture, like superstition and trauma.
Spirituality is a big part of Vietnamese culture, both in the past and present.
While Vietnamese culture has many good qualities, it also has a darker side. This can lead to harm, trauma, and even death.
A demonic ritual in the game is inspired by a temple in Hanoi.
The tragedies in 'Tai Ương' show how the darker side of Vietnamese culture can destroy a family. The game's story is scary, but it's also recognizable in real life.
Huy's family asked a shaman to perform a dark ritual to have a son, which led to Huy's birth. But the ritual had bad consequences, and the family's dynamics were toxic.
Water puppets are used in the game's dream sequences to represent humans.
As players progress, they learn more about Huy's family and its problems. The game uses water puppets to show how the family members are controlled by outside forces.
Even though the story is familiar, it's still hard to experience. The game's fast pace can make it hard to appreciate its rich narrative and setting, but it leaves a lasting impression.