PlayStation 4 Shin Hayarigami 3

Strange phenomena lurking in everyday life

The third instalment follows Shin Hayarigami and Shin Hayarigami 2. This horror-suspense adventure series pursues the truth behind mysterious incidents connected to urban legends. Enjoy a new story unfolding in G Prefecture.

Urban legends are like a never-ending game of telephone, drawing in hundreds of thousands, even millions of people.

A friend's friend. An acquaintance's acquaintance. An unsettling account of an experience supposedly heard from someone whose identity is unknown.

In many cases, these are nothing more than fabricated stories. But the Shin Hayarigami series begins when mysterious incidents resembling those urban legends actually happen.

A new investigation, five years after Shin Hayarigami 2

This new entry in Nippon Ichi Software's Shin Hayarigami series once again takes place in G Prefecture, with Saki Hojo investigating five new inexplicable cases.

Her partner Sena Aizen returns, while Shintaro Niimi and Masaomi Koketsu join the Special Investigation team, bringing its membership to four as they approach the truth behind the incidents.

Science or the occult: two approaches to the truth

The story retains the scientific-route and occult-route structure praised throughout the series, investigating one incident from two different perspectives.

Choose a scientific approach or an occult approach that does not rule out the existence of supernatural phenomena. Was the incident caused by a human, or by something beyond human understanding? How you interpret it is up to you.

As in the previous game, your investigative stance makes the second half of each episode branch into a scientific route or an occult route. Either approach can lead you towards a solution, but getting closer to the truth requires looking at the incident from both perspectives.

Illustrations that intensify the horror

The series' familiar cut-ins and full-screen illustrations return. For the first time in the series, animated illustrations further strengthen its horror presentation. Experience still greater fear through these new effects.

Investigation systems

The game includes Self-Question, Courage Points, Liar's Art and Deduction Logic.

Courage Points

Courage Points are needed in situations that demand bravery or an important decision. If they run out, you may be unable to decide at a crucial moment. Yet holding back too much can also leave you cornered, so you must plan your actions.

Liar's Art

Not everyone connected to a mysterious incident tells the unvarnished truth. To draw the truth from those who conceal facts or lie, some situations require Liar's Art: psychological techniques that use Saki's expertise in psychology to manipulate lies and unsettle the other person.

Choose the right words within the time limit to shake the other person's composure and expose their true thoughts.

Deduction Logic

Fit keywords into a relationship chart to map the people involved. Keywords are obtained as the investigation progresses. The more accurately you complete the chart, the deeper you can approach the truth behind the incident.

Saki Hojo

The protagonist previously served in the S Prefectural Police. After becoming involved in the Blind Man case, a transfer order sent her to G Prefecture, where she became a member of the newly established Special Investigation team.

In the past, her efforts were not enough to prevent a tragedy. Determined not to let the same thing happen again, she faces the many mysterious incidents that arise.

Sena Aizen

Born and raised in G Prefecture, this passionate man deeply loves his home region. His appearance and speech resemble those of a delinquent, which tend to leave him isolated.

He is uncomfortable around women, but after being assigned to Special Investigation with Saki Hojo and solving numerous strange cases together, he has built a strong relationship of trust with her as her partner.

He knows a great deal about urban legends and generally takes a position that accepts the occult.

Shintaro Niimi

One of the G Prefectural Police's most capable detectives, Niimi is an elite graduate who finished first in his class at the University of Tokyo's Faculty of Law.

Although he looks down on those around him, he sincerely respects his partner and senior colleague Masaomi Koketsu. He firmly rejects urban legends and the occult, making him and Sena Aizen like oil and water.

In this game, he joins Special Investigation with Koketsu and finds himself having to confront mysterious incidents.

Masaomi Koketsu

A taciturn veteran detective, Koketsu boasts a high arrest rate alongside Niimi. Above all, he values traditional methods such as investigating at the scene and interviewing people.

He has an intense determination to corner the perpetrator, however difficult the case. In this game, he joins Special Investigation with Niimi to take on strange incidents.

Urban legend 1: The Woman in the Gap

A paper-thin woman slips into gaps between walls and furniture and stares silently at you. This is a relatively well-known urban legend, and similar rumours are said to have existed since the Edo period.

Urban legend 2: The Devil's Doll

Dolls are common toys that many people have handled. Consequently, numerous urban legends concern them, ranging from famous ghost stories such as Mary-san to tales that are almost puns.

Urban legend 3: Human Stew

An elderly man living alone unfortunately dies while bathing with the water being reheated. Days later, a friend discovers his body. When the friend touches it, it crumbles, leaving the bathwater like stew...

Urban legend 4: Ryomen Sukuna

Ryomen Sukuna has both a folktale aspect and an urban-legend aspect. In the urban legend, a mummy with two faces and multiple limbs is discovered when an old temple is dismantled. Those connected with it then suffer unexplained illnesses and unforeseen accidents one after another.