An all around improvement on the original, Utaho no Tatari 2 features a pretty nothing story, and its exploration is lacking in comparison to other similar games, like Ib. However, if you want a genuinely scary game that you can beat in an hour or two, you really can't go wrong with this one.

Much like the original, Utaho no Tatari 2's exploration can feel a little directionless, usually involving searching rooms (often repeatedly) for items rather than any actual puzzles. Unlike the original, I felt this directionless feeling, particularly in the two house levels, really added a certain tension rather than any frustration. Chasers are used sparingly, but were more unpredictable this time, which is exactly what I was hoping for.

The game also features two distinct main routes, both of which are worth pursuing, as well as a hidden ending that shouldn't be too hard to find. The hospital route had the better dungeon and had more outright scares, though the shrine route has that one thing that you probably know this game for, and had more moments that induced paranoia.

Hoping this game gets a fan translation one day. The RPG Maker horror boom is long over, but I'd love to see this game get more attention in the west.