Causality

Causality is a survival horror adventure game where players must rescue three students trapped in a haunted school filled with psychic phenomena. The game blends puzzle-solving and strategic choices as players navigate ever-changing environments, uncover dark secrets, and avoid deadly enemies in a thrilling chase for survival.

Causality: A Masterclass in Atmospheric School Horror

Introduction

In a saturated market of survival horror, Causality (2021) emerges not just as another indie title, but as a meticulously crafted experience that recontextualizes familiar tropes into a poignant, psychological narrative. Developed by Waffle Games and published by PsychoFlux Entertainment, this top-down 2D adventure transcends its RPG Maker MV roots to deliver a haunting journey through a cursed Korean school. Its legacy lies in its unique fusion of poltergeist-driven environmental deformation, a devastating story rooted in real-world school bullying, and a gameplay loop that masterfully balances tension with puzzle-solving. This review argues that Causality is a landmark indie horror title—a triumph of atmospheric storytelling and mechanical innovation that, despite some accessibility critiques, stands as a testament to the power of restraint in game design.

Development History & Context

Waffle Games, a relatively obscure developer, crafted Causality within the constraints of RPG Maker MV, an engine traditionally associated with simpler, less graphically intensive projects. Published by PsychoFlux Entertainment—a label known for championing niche Asian indie horror like Flowers Blooming at the End of Summer—the game released on April 16, 2021, for Windows. Its arrival coincided with a resurgence of interest in psychological horror and pixel-art aesthetics, with titles like LUNA and ALONE gaining traction. Technically, the engine’s limitations were cleverly repurposed: the 2D scrolling perspective and diagonal-down view created claustrophobic corridors, while the “Anime/Manga” art style lent itself to expressive, emotive character sprites. The late 1990s Korean setting—hinted at by CRT monitors and flip phones in-game—provided a grounded, relatable backdrop for supernatural events, contrasting with the fantastical Western locales often favored in survival horror. PsychoFlux’s marketing emphasized the game’s “causal relationship” theme, framing it as a narrative-driven experience where player choices unravel a complex web of tragedy.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

At its core, Causality is a searing indictment of institutionalized bullying and cyclical violence. The player controls a silent, white-haired protagonist revealed to be the grandfather of Baek Seo-yeon, a student lynched by three bullies—Lee Ji-hye, Choi Soo-young, and Kim Jun-seok—after years of psychological and physical torment. Tasked with rescuing the bullies (now trapped in the school by Baek’s vengeful spirit), he navigates a space where the past bleeds into the present. Key narrative threads include:

• The Curse of Causality: Baek Seo-yeon’s death ignites a curse that warps the school, manifesting as poltergeist phenomena. Her spirit, represented by cryptic blood notes and fragmented flashbacks, is not a malevolent entity but a victim seeking closure. The game’s title ironically underscores how bullying’s “causal chain” dooms both perpetrator and victim.
• The Underworld Guardian: The black-haired guide who aids the protagonist is later revealed as an underworld agent. His role—to enforce karmic balance—adds meta-commentary on justice, as the bullies face damnation despite rescue. Their refusal to atone (confirmed when asked, “Is there anyone else?”) seals their fate.
• Dual Endings: The Normal Ending involves a simple exit, but the True Ending requires restoring Baek’s fragmented photo. This act of confronting history reveals her backstory: a musically gifted girl driven to muteness and despair by systemic abuse. The grandfather’s ultimate act—absorbing her curse—breaks the cycle, allowing her spirit to pass on.

Themes of legacy, regret, and the inescapable weight of past actions permeate the narrative. The game’s emotional crescendo lies in the revelation that the protagonist died young in the Korean War, returning from the afterlife to avenge his granddaughter—a twist that reframes the entire quest as a tragic, familial duty.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Causality’s brilliance lies in its streamlined yet innovative mechanics, centered on evasion and environmental manipulation:

• Poltergeist Mechanics: The school’s layout dynamically shifts during “chase” sequences. Locks may rewire, corridors realign, or hazards appear, forcing players to adapt rather than memorize paths. This “tag” mechanic—where the player is “it” against spectral pursuers—creates constant tension.
• Puzzle Design: Puzzles are organic to the setting: deciphering codes from bulletin boards, finding keys in lockers, or avoiding tripwires. The photo restoration quest (collecting 4 pieces for the True Ending) adds optional depth, requiring thorough exploration.
• Economy of Survival: Health is managed via healing items, and saving is limited to specific checkpoints, encouraging resourcefulness. Ghost encounters vary: some evadeable, others requiring specific tactics (e.g., luring a “centipede demon” into a trap).
• Chase Dynamics: Enemies like the “Black Mask” specter or “Large Black Hand” pursue distinct patterns. Success hinges on using poltergeist shifts to redirect threats into environmental hazards, turning the school itself into a weapon.

While the systems are cohesive, some critiques note the AI can be inconsistent, with chases occasionally feeling punitive rather than fair. The lack of combat emphasizes vulnerability, aligning with the game’s psychological horror ethos.

World-Building, Art & Sound

The late 1990s Korean school setting is rendered with meticulous detail. Classrooms overflow with chalkboards, lockers, and student graffiti, while the infirmary and music rooms hint at Baek’s unfulfilled potential. The art style—stark 2D sprites with anime-inspired character designs—contrasts the mundane with the macabre: blood stains seep into walls, and ghostly apparitions flicker like corrupted data. This visual economy amplifies dread; a static image of a swinging door or a misplaced locker can signal impending danger.

Sound design is equally crucial. The soundtrack by Giventicket blends melancholic piano with dissonant strings, swelling during chases. Environmental audio—creaking floors, distant screams, and the static of old telephones—immerses players in the school’s decay. Jump scares are sparing but effective, relying on audio cues (e.g., a sudden whisper) to amplify the uncanny. Together, art and sound transform the school from a backdrop into a character, its “resentment” almost tangible.

Reception & Legacy

Causality debuted to a Very Positive reception on Steam (92% of 227 reviews), praised for its atmosphere and narrative. Critics like Kutar’k lauded its accessibility, noting it offered “a gentler introduction to horror” for newcomers. IGN Korea awarded it 6/10, deeming the scares “relatively weak” but acknowledging its clever use of poltergeist mechanics. Commercially, it found success in PsychoFlux’s indie bundles, exposing it to a global audience.

Its legacy is twofold: it elevated RPG Maker games beyond niche appeal, proving the engine could deliver AAA-caliber storytelling. Thematically, it resonated in post-Parasite discussions on South Korean class struggles and school violence. While not a genre innovator, Causality’s influence is seen in titles like Temple of Causality (2024), which echoes its environmental deformation puzzles and focus on karmic retribution.

Conclusion

Causality is more than a survival horror game—it’s a meditation on how actions echo across lifetimes. Waffle Games leverages RPG Maker’s limitations into strengths, crafting a world where every creaking floorboard and ghostly whisper feels purposeful. The poltergeist mechanics are a masterstroke of tension, while the narrative’s emotional gut punch—rooted in real-world tragedy—elevates it beyond typical genre fare. Though occasional gameplay hiccups and its brevity (3–4 hours) prevent perfection, Causality stands as a triumph of indie artistry. In the pantheon of survival horror, it earns its place alongside classics like Silent Hill 2 for proving that the most terrifying monsters are often human. For players seeking horror with heart and ingenuity, Causality is not just recommended—it’s essential.