Supernormal Reviews

Supernormal is a short but chilling first-person psychological horror experience that takes place almost entirely within the confines of a single, modern Japanese apartment. What makes the game immediately arresting is its attention to visual detail. Every room is rendered with photorealistic care, filled with crisp lighting, believable furniture layouts, and a lived-in atmosphere that feels disturbingly normal—until it doesn’t. That sense of creeping dread builds slowly as the player, stepping into the shoes of Detective Wyatt, investigates the mysterious disappearance of a young girl. The mystery unfolds not through dialogue or cutscenes, but through environmental clues and unnerving events that escalate with careful pacing. The contrast between the sterile normalcy of the space and the supernatural elements that begin to surface makes for a uniquely immersive horror experience. As the game progresses, it becomes clear that the apartment is not just a location, but a character in its own right. It reacts subtly to the player’s presence: lights flicker, doors creak open on their own, distant whispers echo from unseen corners, and strange objects appear where they shouldn’t be. These elements are executed with restraint, avoiding cheap jump scares in favor of a slow-burn atmosphere of unease. What sets Supernormal apart from many of its indie horror peers is its ability to sustain tension without overwhelming the player. You’re not being chased, there’s no stamina bar, and there are no monsters to shoot. Instead, your greatest threat is the house itself—and your own voice. Voice input is one of Supernormal’s most unique mechanics. The game listens to your microphone, requiring you to speak aloud during certain moments. You might call out to the spirit you're investigating or whisper questions into the quiet. Sometimes your words will elicit a direct supernatural response, while other times silence may be your only safe option. This creates a fascinating dynamic where the player's real-world behavior affects in-game outcomes. It also adds a layer of tension rarely seen in horror games. Knowing that speaking too loudly—or at the wrong moment—can invite danger creates an intimacy with the game that’s genuinely unsettling. The system doesn’t always work perfectly, with occasional misreads or ambiguous triggers, but when it does function as intended, the result is unnerving in all the right ways. Supernormal’s story is minimalist by design, focusing more on mood and suggestion than on overt exposition. Clues about the missing girl and the apartment’s dark past are scattered throughout drawers, photo frames, and answering machines. It’s up to the player to piece together what really happened. There are two possible endings, each dependent on the player’s investigation and decisions. While the branching narrative isn’t extensive, it does lend a slight incentive to replay the game at least once. Still, with a playtime of around 90 minutes, Supernormal is more of a one-sitting narrative experience than a sprawling mystery. It knows its scale and uses it to its advantage, ensuring that every moment contributes to the growing sense of dread. The game’s sound design deserves particular praise. Ambient noises—distant traffic, the hum of appliances, the sudden silence of a power outage—are used masterfully to heighten immersion. More overt horror cues, like demonic whispers or the groaning of warped wood, are timed well and rarely feel overused. However, the main character’s voiceover can sometimes break the immersion. His commentary occasionally veers into being too casual or redundant, which dilutes the emotional weight of certain moments. That said, most of the game is spent in silence or in whispered uncertainty, and that restraint pays off in atmosphere. While the gameplay is relatively simple—explore, observe, interact—the core loop is strengthened by the game’s pacing and direction. Supernormal feels more like an interactive film or a playable short story than a traditional game, which may not appeal to players looking for complex puzzles or action sequences. The scares are psychological, the threats implied rather than explicit, and the progression linear. Some players may find that disappointing, but others will appreciate the tight focus and minimalism. This is a game that thrives on subtlety, not spectacle. Developed by a solo indie creator, Supernormal stands as an impressive example of what focused design and atmosphere can accomplish with limited resources. It doesn’t aim to revolutionize the horror genre, but it delivers a smart, well-crafted, and at times genuinely frightening experience. It draws inspiration from titles like P.T., but brings its own identity through its Japanese setting, realistic aesthetic, and the experimental use of voice input. For fans of narrative-driven horror and compact psychological thrillers, Supernormal is well worth experiencing. It might be brief, but it leaves a lasting impression—like a whisper you can’t quite place, echoing just behind you. Rating: 7/10

Great short game, great atmosphere that holds you for the entire playthrough, graphics are really good and the sound design is top notch. It is a walking simulator with some but very little hiding mechanics so keep that in mind. Enjoyed the game to the fullest and can't wait to play more games by the developer.

Super Normal isn’t really a horror game—it’s just a super accurate roommate simulator, where some tall freak keeps moving your furniture around, breathing heavily in the hallway, and popping up in the bathroom mirror like they don’t understand the concept of personal space. The real terror isn’t the monster itself, it’s realizing you’re basically paying rent to live with a shape-shifting parasite who won’t do the dishes and insists on jump-scaring you every time you try to relax. Honestly, 10/10, scarier than college housing and slightly cheaper.

Borderline recommend, Feels impossible to get the good ending and the gameplay loop is good for one go, but not worth replaying to get the good ending. Just try not to die first run lol.

[code]I might be the unpopular opinion here but I’m going to be honest about this game. While the concept is interesting (using voice to communicate with the ghost and trying to solve the mystery behind the girl's disappearance) the game just doesn’t deliver any real scares or a sense of progression. It’s basically a walking simulator with cheap "jumpscares" that don’t actually scare you. The ghost is more cute than creepy, and the animations are kind of awkward. I got bored pretty quickly and played for only about two hours to unlock all the achievements. I wouldn’t recommend buying this game. The story also felt inconsistent and I would have preferred more exploration, hidden documents and actual puzzles to piece the story together myself instead of the rushed ending. Also, let’s be honest: the whole "using the camera" mechanic was boring. The character doesn’t even run and walking back and forth to mess with the lights just added another layer of tedium. The ending was pretty predictable, and the main character makes pretty basic observations about clues (clues you’ll never really investigate, so they’re just there to waste your time). If you get bored easily like I do, avoid this game at all costs. You’ll probably fall asleep.[/code]

Supernormal is a short psychological horror game with a tense, unsettling atmosphere—but unfortunately, it ends up feeling quite boring. It leans into subtle scares and a PT-inspired vibe, but the slow pacing and lack of real payoff drag it down. The story unfolds through exploration, but there’s not much depth or engagement. It’s a forgettable experience that doesn’t really live up to its eerie premise.