Who would have guessed a horror game about selling balut could be so scary?
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Selling balut doesn’t exactly make for the most exciting of a video game premise, IMO. But a balut vendor simulator that’s also a horror game? Now we’re cooking. This staple of Filipino culture being turned on its head serves as the premise for a horror game that has become one of the newest indie gems taking over the internet with over a hundred thousand downloads so far and millions of views on social media. The best part? The game was made by a single Filipino developer.
SCARIEST FACE CARDS IN GAMING
If you’ve been seeing the name “Hapunan” on social media recently, it’s probably because of the video game. Hapunan is a first-person story-driven horror game made by Josef Yenko, who goes by Yikon on social media. In it, you play as Niko, a balut vendor whose simple task turns dark and dangerous real quick. First, you are tasked to secure a business permit. But things go downhill during your investigation as you uncover sinister secrets involving the Barangay Captain, his dangerous friends, and a violent past. As you get closer to the truth, you’ll have to face tough decisions and protect yourself and your family from dark forces.
What makes Hapunan special, aside from the fact that it makes balut selling something so ominous, is that the game takes heavy inspiration from Filipino culture, folklore, and traditions that makes for an experience that finds the scares and frights in cultural stories. No spoilers here, but you’ll get it once you play the game.
A FILO DEVELOPER DID THAT
Made using the Unity Game Engine, Hapunan is Yikon’s first official game release, and as such, it’s pretty simple in terms of presentation (though it is admittedly eerie with the creepy face models on the low poly bodies). But it makes up for it with its effective suspense, unsettling atmosphere, and chilling narrative. Honestly, the fact that one person made this is pretty impressive and the potential is there. Also, at around 30-40 minutes long, it makes for a quick gaming session, if you aren’t the type to hit pause every 30 seconds, that is.
It’s definitely a gem, which is no wonder the game has been going viral as of late even though it was released on December 10, 2024. Hapunan is a uniquely Filipino horror game that has found a global player base to the tune of over 100,000 downloads on itch.io alone. The game has even attracted attention from massive gaming creators who’ve streamed and played the game such as CaseOh, Kubz Scouts, and Khristian PH.
Filipino horror games may not be as popular as those from other Asian countries, but there are local gems out there worth a play. If anything, Hapunan’s viral success is yet another reminder to support local game developers who have the talent and just need the extra resources.
If you’d like to see what all the hype is about, you can purchase a copy here for $3.99 or you can download a free demo for PC and Android.
Continue Reading: 9 Filipino-Made Video Games That Are Worth The Download
