Neighbor slays Kickstarter target

The remake of classic Japanese horror is coming to Western audiences.

Neighbor (隣人 Rinjin in Japanese) is a Japanese visual novel originally developed and released by game brand Rosalia in 2009. Set in an inescapable haunted apartment, the game features a story dripping with traditional Japanese horror elements and uses monochrome background art to chilling effect.

The companies behind the original game are unfortunately no longer trading, and as such it was very difficult to obtain the game. The aim of the Kickstarter is to bring Neighbor back to Japanese audiences, and, for the first time, to introduce it to the West.

The Kickstarter campaign details the story behind the game:

Sometimes, in life, there are places where the rules of reality just don’t apply. Sometimes, it’s the one place where you ought to feel safe. Like your house.

Freelance designer Yuuki Kae has just moved into a new apartment. On her move-in day, she decides to introduce herself to her new next-door neighbor… but something isn’t quite right.

Static over the intercom… A violently rattling doorknob… And a ghostly pale hand reaching out through the crack in the door…

They said the apartment next to hers wasn’t for rent. It was supposed to be empty.

Through a series of strange events, Kae meets Hisamatsu Daigo, a fellow tenant who lives above her on the 3rd floor. Together, they must hunt for clues to solve the mystery…

With 12 days left to go in the Kickstarter campaign, the goal of £3,731 has already been exceeded, with a total of £6,592 raised so far. A tentative release date of August this year has been set by developer Otusun Land. Neighbor will be released for PC, iOS and Android.