On October 9, independent game developer Shoei Sio released *Cyan Heart* for PC (Steam).
The Horror Created by a “Selfie Perspective” Where You Can’t See Ahead
This game is a horror exploration puzzle adventure experienced through a unique “selfie perspective.” You control a girl who continuously films herself with a camera, checking behind her and at her feet through the screen. Amid a unique sense of control and fear—where you cannot see the direction you’re heading—you must solve puzzles, avoid obstacles, and advance toward your goal.A release announcement trailer has also been released to coincide with the release date announcement.
Players explore the world relying solely on the footage from the protagonist’s camera. The screen constantly shows her own figure and what’s behind her, but the view straight ahead remains hidden. The game features unprecedented camera work that requires players to interpret the situation based on changes in her facial expressions.Building on the demo, the game now features a system that allows players to peek at locations the character can access or areas of interest, as well as a system where players can place a pin on a destination to automatically move there. The protagonist is a girl wearing a ushanka, who always wears a tense expression.
The setting is a world sustained by “Magenta Heart,” a unique form of energy that perpetually mimics all physical phenomena. Suddenly, this energy shifts to cyan, transforming into “Cyan”—a dangerous entity that turns everything with form into cyan, driving both living beings and machines mad.The girl ventures alone into an abandoned facility rumored to hold something capable of halting “Cyan’s” encroachment. Through communication logs with her companions, the mystery behind why she takes selfies to document her journey—and the mystery hidden within the act itself—gradually unfolds.
Developer Eiko Shio commented on the game as follows:
This game isn’t simply about playing with an unconventional “selfie-style” camera or placing heavy emphasis on puzzles. From the early stages of development, my vision—what I truly wanted to create—was to have players take selfies as a “action” that holds narrative significance.
Shio, a college student majoring in design, reflects that sticking with this deliberately stressful and experimental perspective was “quite a challenge for me.”He says he completed the game driven by the desire to express—as a single game—the act of “observing this world,” which he believes gains value precisely through the consistent use of the selfie perspective. He describes the game as a creation born from the egos of both the developer, Mr. Shio, and the protagonist, “Sara.”
Additionally, coinciding with the release, he revealed that development will now proceed toward a Nintendo Switch version. He has also published a “Note” article reflecting on the development process, in which he encourages readers to “think deeply about it.”
Key Features
Unprecedented Camera Work: The game progresses exclusively from a “selfie perspective.” This offers a new gameplay experience where players must interpret the situation based on the fear of the unseen front and changes in facial expressions.
Unique World and Puzzles: Set in a psychedelic, digital facility composed of low-polygon graphics, players must overcome puzzles that utilize the world’s unique energy.
A Story Hidden in the Perspective: Why does she take selfies to keep a record? Through communication logs with her companions, the mystery hidden within the act itself is revealed.
“Cyan Heart,” which has garnered significant attention with 18,000 pre-release wishlist entries, is now available for PC (Steam). The price is 1,300 yen, and until October 19, it can be purchased at a 10% discount for 1,170 yen.
