Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Uzumaki: Denshi Kaikihen adopts a vertically scrolling, interactive manga format that feels both novel and intuitive on modern mobile devices. As you guide Kirie Goshima through each black-and-white panel, simple taps advance the story while occasional decision points force you to choose her next action. These choices don’t just alter dialogue—they open up branching paths that can lead to subtle variations or entirely different endings, encouraging multiple playthroughs.

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The pacing is deliberately measured, reflecting the creeping dread of Junji Ito’s original work. There are no action sequences in the traditional sense—instead, the tension builds through atmospheric transitions, close-ups on unsettling spiral motifs, and the slow reveal of disturbing details. While some players may find the lack of fast-paced gameplay a departure from mainstream titles, fans of narrative-driven adventures will appreciate the focus on mood and suspense.

Despite its minimalist mechanics, the game offers a surprising depth of interactivity. Inventory elements appear as spirals in the environment, and occasionally you’ll need to inspect objects or choose which fragment of information Kirie should examine next. These small puzzles and exploration moments reinforce the sense of unraveling a mystery, making you feel actively engaged rather than passively observing the gruesome spiral curse unfold.

Graphics

The art style in Uzumaki: Denshi Kaikihen faithfully replicates the stark black-and-white visuals of the source manga, complete with intricate line work and heavy shading. Every panel looks as though it has been lifted directly from Junji Ito’s pages, maintaining the unsettling detail of each spiral, from the mundane swirl of a snail shell to the grotesque curves of self-inflicted scars. This monochrome palette enhances the horror, forcing your imagination to fill in the darkest corners.

Panel transitions are smooth and often accompanied by subtle animations—flickering shadows, pulsing spiral patterns, or drifting particles that give life to what could otherwise be static pages. The vertical orientation of each chapter allows for cinematic reveals: a tap can zoom in on a pupil dilating into a spiral or pull back to show the entire town of Kurôzu-Cho consumed by spiraling debris. These framing choices heighten the eerie atmosphere.

The UI is kept intentionally minimal. Text boxes and choice prompts appear in clean, semi-transparent overlays that never detract from the art. Occasional sound effects—whispers of wind, the creak of a door, the soft scraping of a blade—widthen the visual experience, although music is sparse by design to underscore the isolation and dread that permeate Kirie’s world.

Story

The narrative of Uzumaki: Denshi Kaikihen unfolds through the memories of Kirie Goshima, who reflects on her high school years in the cursed town of Kurôzu-Cho. As she recounts how her beloved Shuichi Saito first proposed eloping, you experience the mounting unease as he reveals his family’s spiral-induced tragedies. Each anecdote—Shuichi’s father’s obsessive collection of spiral objects, his mother’s self-mutilation—serves as a grim foreshadowing of the town’s fate.

As Kirie returns to her everyday routines, the spiral curse infects the mundane: hair curls unnaturally, a jack-in-the-box’s spring twists into a lethal coil, and geometric patterns in tiles and plates begin to throb with malevolent life. The game masterfully layers these incidents, so even moments of calm are tinged with anticipation. Every choice you make deepens your connection to Kirie’s fear and hope, making her ultimate decisions resonate on an emotional level.

While rooted in the source material’s iconic horror, the game also humanizes its characters. Kirie’s inner monologue conveys her skepticism, denial, and eventual desperation, giving context to each harrowing image. Supporting characters—classmates, neighbors, even minor NPCs—leave lasting impressions through short but impactful dialogue exchanges, reinforcing the social fabric unraveling alongside the spiral curse.

Overall Experience

Uzumaki: Denshi Kaikihen delivers a uniquely immersive experience that will appeal to horror aficionados and visual novel enthusiasts alike. Its commitment to an authentic manga presentation sets it apart from traditional graphic adventure games, offering an experience that feels both interactive and faithfully illustrative. The vertical-scrolling mechanic is a clever way to harness the mobile form factor without sacrificing narrative depth.

The game’s length is modest—most playthroughs take a few hours—yet the branching storylines and multiple endings provide strong replay value. Whether you explore every possible twist or simply soak in the singularly chilling main route, each session leaves you with lingering unease and curiosity about unexplored paths. It’s the kind of game that you’ll want to discuss with friends or revisit to see hidden details you might have missed.

In the end, Uzumaki: Denshi Kaikihen stands out as an innovative adaptation that balances faithful artistry with interactive storytelling. It may not satisfy players seeking fast-paced action or complex puzzles, but for those craving a slow-burning, atmospheric descent into madness, it offers a haunting journey through spirals of obsession and horror. Potential buyers should be prepared for psychological tension rather than jump scares—once you step into Kurôzu-Cho, you’ll find its spirals hard to escape.

Retro Replay Score

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