VGTimes Interview with the Developers of Revenant : In Memory Of The Day. A Tense Indie Horror in the Spirit of Exit 8

At gamescom аsia, VGTimes editor-in-chief Rodion Ilin spoke with Shin Min Cheol from the Korean studio Shin Ye Rak Je Jak So. He shared details about their new project, Revenant : In Memory Of The Day. It's an atmospheric indie horror game in the “anomaly observation” genre.

The core of the gameplay is careful observation. Players explore gloomy, realistic locations and notice subtle environmental changes — a chair out of place, a missing photo, a flickering light. Each detected anomaly brings the player closer to uncovering the truth behind the story.

At the heart of the narrative is a mother searching for her child, who has been taken by a mysterious being known as the Revenant. She follows its trail into the unknown, and her fate depends entirely on the player’s choices. The Revenant features three different endings, each revealing the story from a new emotional perspective.

VGTimes: Could you please tell us about your game? What kind of project is it, and what genre does it belong to?

Shin Min Cheol: Our game belongs to a genre we call “the abnormal phenomenon game.” It’s somewhat similar to hidden-object titles — the player roams through environments, spots altered items, determines what’s wrong with the space, and ultimately tries to escape it.

VGTimes: What is the game’s lore?

Shin Min Cheol: The story follows a mother who has lost her child. She wanders in search of him and discovers that a being called the Revenant has taken her son. She then tracks this entity, following its traces to the place where it hides her child.

VGTimes: Name three key features of your game.

Shin Min Cheol: First, we created highly detailed and realistic environments, more immersive than in similar games. Second, the game includes a unique story that stands apart from others in the genre and aims for emotional realism. And third, we implemented three different endings, which enhance immersion and let players experience the story from multiple perspectives.

VGTimes: Which games, films, or books inspired you?

Shin Min Cheol: Mainly P.T. by Hideo Kojima. We were also inspired by Exit 8, which essentially established this subgenre. We took its structure and modified it, adding our own directorial and atmospheric touches.

VGTimes: So, would you describe : In Memory Of The Day as a mystery thriller?

Shin Min Cheol: Yes, it can be described as a mystery-horror. After Exit 8, the term “anomaly-finding game” became popular, and our project also fits within that framework.

VGTimes: What engine did you use, and how large is your team?

Shin Min Cheol: We developed the game using Unreal Engine. There were three of us during production, each handling a different aspect of development. Now there are two of us in the studio, but we plan to expand in the future.

VGTimes: When was the game released?

Shin Min Cheol: We launched it on March 29, 2025, on Steam.

VGTimes: Lastly, what would you like to say to players?

Shin Min Cheol: Although there are many similar games out there, ours has its own strengths and distinctive qualities. We’ve put a lot of effort into making : In Memory Of The Day special, and we’ll be grateful to everyone who gives it a chance.

Revenant : In Memory Of The Day will appeal to fans of slow-burn, detail-oriented horror experiences — players who enjoy immersing themselves in atmosphere, tension, and subtle storytelling rather than relying on jumpscares.

Interview by Rodion Ilin.

VGTimes has been operating since 2011 and during this time has attended dozens of exhibitions and festivals where our journalists gathered numerous exclusive materials. For example, at the year 2025 we saw with our own eyes one of Asia's major gaming exhibitions — ChinaJoy in Shanghai.