I’ve always been fascinated by the quiet unease of late-night streets. There’s something about their stillness that feels both comforting and unsettling—like you’re always a little too exposed. That’s exactly the kind of tension Hapunan thrives on.
This short, story-driven horror game drops you into Barangay Sak Dudol, where you play as Niko, a balut vendor trying to make ends meet. The night begins innocently enough—just sell the last batch of balut so your family has enough money to leave their home for good. But as the radio crackles warnings about violence in the area, it’s clear that this isn’t going to be an ordinary night.
The thing about Hapunan is that it doesn’t need ghosts or monsters to scare you. The horror here is disturbingly human. The faces of your enemies are twisted into strange, permanent grins, and they emerge from the shadows like predators. There’s something deeply unsettling about how calm and deliberate they are, as though they’ve been waiting for you all along.
At its core, though, Hapunan isn’t just about fear—it’s about survival. Niko’s family can’t agree on much, but they know one thing: staying in the barangay is no longer an option. The tension between his parents is palpable; his mother pushes for safety, while his father clings to their home despite its growing danger. These moments feel grounded, almost uncomfortably so, giving the game an emotional weight that lingers long after it ends.
What really got to me, though, is how much the game leaves unsaid. The radio’s warnings, the grins on the attackers’ faces, the Barangay Captain’s unconvincing “SAFE” permit—it’s all vague enough to let your imagination do the heavy lifting. The game thrives in its ambiguity, encouraging you to fill in the gaps with your own fears and interpretations. And yet, if you’re familiar with certain chapters of Filipino history, you might feel a deeper chill as you piece things together.
Hapunan doesn’t try to over-explain itself. It’s short—around 30–40 minutes—and tightly paced, with just enough mechanics to keep you immersed. The low-poly graphics give the characters an uncanny look, enhancing the unsettling atmosphere. It’s rough around the edges, sure, but that only adds to its charm.
At $3.99 on Itch.io, it’s an easy recommendation for anyone who wants a horror game that does more than just scare you. Like balut, it might not be for everyone, but if you can handle it, it’ll stick with you—long after the night has ended.
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