Iwaihime on Steam - User reviews, Price & Information

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From hit writer Ryukishi07, the creator of When They Cry, comes a story on the theme of “curses.” Strike down the dark riddle of dolls and soot in this supernatural horror visual novel.

Iwaihime is a visual novel, anime and psychological horror game developed by DMM GAMES and published by Shiravune.
Released on October 23rd 2020 is available only on Windows in 4 languages: English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese.

It has received 796 reviews of which 638 were positive and 158 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. 😊

The game is currently priced at 24.99€ on Steam, but you can find it for 2.81€ on Eneba.


The Steam community has classified Iwaihime into these genres:

Media & Screenshots

Get an in-depth look at Iwaihime through various videos and screenshots.

System requirements

These are the minimum specifications needed to play the game. For the best experience, we recommend that you verify them.

Windows
  • OS: Vista/7/8/8.1/10
  • DirectX: Version 9.0c
  • Storage: 6000 MB available space

User reviews & Ratings

Explore reviews from Steam users sharing their experiences and what they love about the game.

Feb. 2026
It baffles me that this game has mixed reviews, as it's one of my favourite visual novels and the only one that has really made me cry. Whoever is reading this and is on the fence about buying due to reviews, please give this a shot. I felt connected deeply to the characters as the cast showcases well the negative experiences of living as a female, making me feel true horror, sadness and fear playing this. They represent trauma in an amazing way, and show the true dark side to mankind and how it affects the main characters.
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Nov. 2025
Iwaihime presents a linear visual novel built on tension, folklore, and gradual psychological pressure. The structure relies on controlled pacing rather than branching complexity. Each chapter introduces a clear set of mysteries and expands them through steady exposition. The narrative focuses on character psychology. Dialogue and internal monologue carry most of the weight. The story uses repetition and slow reveals to build unease. The approach is deliberate and rewards patient reading rather than rapid plot shifts. Horror elements depend on atmosphere. Supernatural events are presented through implication and timing instead of constant shock. The tone stays consistent as it mixes folklore motifs with personal trauma and group dynamics. Artwork supports the mood with restrained character expressions and sharp contrast in key scenes. Backgrounds remain simple but effective. The style stays readable and avoids visual noise during extended dialogue segments. Sound design reinforces the tension. Music cues shift at controlled intervals to signal narrative turns. Effects are minimal and appear only when needed to frame a moment. The story is linear. Player agency is limited and exists mainly through reading order. This design choice keeps focus on narrative coherence rather than interactive variation. Overall Iwaihime provides a focused and atmospheric horror novel built on slow escalation and controlled delivery. Its value comes from narrative discipline rather than mechanical variety.
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Sept. 2025
Iwaihime, developed by DMM GAMES and published by Shiravune, is a supernatural horror visual novel that stands out for its atmospheric storytelling and complex narrative. Written by Ryukishi07, the acclaimed creator behind the When They Cry series, the game delves deep into themes of curses, fate, and the unsettling unknown. Set in a quiet, rural town, the story follows Suzumu Susuhara, a young man who becomes entangled in mysterious and eerie events after encountering a strange girl named Toé Kurokami, who is never seen without her traditional Japanese doll. This encounter sets off a chain of events that blur the line between reality and supernatural horror, creating a tense and immersive experience for players. The core strength of Iwaihime lies in its ability to craft an oppressive and haunting atmosphere through careful pacing and character development. Early chapters gradually build tension, drawing players into a world where every conversation and interaction feels heavy with significance. The characters themselves are well fleshed out, each bringing their own personal histories, secrets, and motivations to the narrative, which adds depth and emotional weight to the unfolding mystery. Visually, the game’s art style complements its eerie tone with detailed character designs and backgrounds that evoke a sense of isolation and dread, effectively immersing players in the unsettling environment. That said, Iwaihime is not without its shortcomings. The pacing can occasionally feel uneven, with certain sections dragging longer than necessary, which might cause some players to lose engagement during slower narrative stretches. Additionally, while the horror elements are ever-present and create a lingering sense of unease, they may lack the intensity or jump-scare moments that fans of more adrenaline-driven horror games expect. Instead, the game opts for a psychological and slow-burn style of horror, focusing more on creeping dread and emotional tension. This subtle approach, while effective for some, may not satisfy all horror enthusiasts. The story’s intricate layers and gradual revelation of mysteries demand patience and attention, which might be challenging for those preferring more straightforward or fast-paced narratives. The English localization by Lemnisca LLC generally succeeds in preserving the tone and nuance of the original Japanese text, although there are occasional awkward phrasings and minor grammatical hiccups. These small issues do little to detract from the overall experience but might be noticeable to players who are particularly attentive to language details. The availability of the game on Steam with support for multiple languages makes it accessible to a broader audience, inviting fans of visual novels and supernatural horror alike to explore its chilling tale. Overall, Iwaihime offers a richly atmospheric and emotionally charged experience that will appeal especially to fans of slow-burning horror visual novels. Its strengths lie in its storytelling, character depth, and eerie world-building, even though some might find its pacing uneven and horror elements less intense than expected. For players willing to immerse themselves in a narrative about curses, fate, and the thin veil between reality and the supernatural, Iwaihime provides a compelling and memorable journey into the unsettling unknown. Rating: 8/10
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July 2025
I think of Iwaihime as an underrated classic or a hidden gem. It's a horror-romance game with great characters and a premise that allows for all sorts of strange and macabre imagery. Each character gets a wholly unique aesthetic associated with them, and nightmares fine-tuned to their psychology and personal trauma. Iwaihime was one of the works that caught Konami's eye when they hired the author to work on Silent Hill. Having said all that, the game has one of the most bizarre endings I've ever encountered. I still can't quite make up my mind about how I feel. It's nuts! Overall a very fun experience with memorable characters and beautiful art.
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July 2025
This visual novel has impressive production quality — from its beautiful artwork and strong voice acting to a well-composed soundtrack. It's clear a lot of care went into its presentation. Unfortunately, the story is where it falls short. It struggled to hold my interest and felt overly drawn out; by the end, I just wanted it to be over. While it wasn’t entirely without its moments, the narrative wasn’t compelling enough overall. I’d give it a 5.5 out of 10.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Iwaihime is currently priced at 24.99€ on Steam.

Iwaihime is currently not on sale. You can purchase it for 24.99€ on Steam.

Iwaihime received 638 positive votes out of a total of 796 achieving a rating of 7.61.
😊

Iwaihime was developed by DMM GAMES and published by Shiravune.

Iwaihime is playable and fully supported on Windows.

Iwaihime is not playable on MacOS.

Iwaihime is not playable on Linux.

Iwaihime is a single-player game.

There is a DLC available for Iwaihime. Explore additional content available for Iwaihime on Steam.

Iwaihime does not support mods via Steam Workshop.

Iwaihime does not support Steam Remote Play.

Iwaihime is enabled for Steam Family Sharing. This means you can share the game with authorized users from your Steam Library, allowing them to play it on their own accounts. For more details on how the feature works, you can read the original Steam Family Sharing announcement or visit the Steam Family Sharing user guide and FAQ page.

You can find solutions or submit a support ticket by visiting the Steam Support page for Iwaihime.

Data sources

The information presented on this page is sourced from reliable APIs to ensure accuracy and relevance. We utilize the Steam API to gather data on game details, including titles, descriptions, prices, and user reviews. This allows us to provide you with the most up-to-date information directly from the Steam platform.

Additionally, we incorporate data from the SteamSpy API, which offers insights into game sales and player statistics. This helps us present a comprehensive view of each game's popularity and performance within the gaming community.

Last Updates
Steam data 23 April 2026 14:21
SteamSpy data 27 April 2026 01:54
Steam price 29 April 2026 04:36
Steam reviews 28 April 2026 04:06

If you'd like to dive deeper into the details about Iwaihime, we invite you to check out a few dedicated websites that offer extensive information and insights. These platforms provide valuable data, analysis, and user-generated reports to enhance your understanding of the game and its performance.

  • SteamDB - A comprehensive database of everything on Steam about Iwaihime
  • SteamCharts - Analysis of Iwaihime concurrent players on Steam
  • ProtonDB - Crowdsourced reports on Linux and Steam Deck Iwaihime compatibility
Iwaihime
Rating
7.6
638
158
Game modes
Features
Online players
0
Developer
DMM GAMES
Publisher
Shiravune
Release 23 Oct 2020
Platforms
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