“Doki Doki Literature Club: A New Era of Psychological Thrills Awaits”

There’s a distinct cozy charm to video games like Doki Doki Literature Club that emerges from a deeply unsettling psychological horror masked by the sickly sweet layer of a vibrant, colorful anime setting. Even though you are engaging in a horror game and are likely to encounter some distressing moments, there’s just something disarming about not knowing when or what to expect thanks to the seemingly cheerful atmosphere of the game.

This seems to be the main appeal of MiSide, a new psychological horror game that is giving me strong Doki Doki Literature Club vibes. “This game contains intense scenes. It is not advisable for those with sensitive hearts,” cautions developer Aihasto on the Steam product page. They seem to be trying to warn me.

Much like Doki Doki, things begin innocently enough when you download a mobile game and start spending time with your new virtual girlfriend, engaging in cooking, cleaning, and various mini-games with her. However, you soon find yourself ensnared in Mita’s digital realm, and regrettably, she isn’t always eager to assist you in navigating back to your own world.

Mita can have a distinct appearance and personality depending on which version of her you encounter. Most of the time, she’ll lend a helping hand, but in many instances, she might chase you down with a bloody chainsaw. In other, far more horrifying scenarios, she’ll conjure up creepy, spider-like creatures that I assume are not looking for a cuddle.

Even with Aihasto’s caution…