Elevator Ritual

Elevator Ritual is a horror-themed puzzle RPG where players follow a series of eerie rules while riding an elevator to transport themselves to another world. Inspired by urban legends like the Elevator Game, the game blends survival horror with Japanese-style RPG mechanics, featuring a 2D scrolling perspective and anime/manga art style. Players must navigate a fantastical yet unsettling setting, adhering to strict rituals to avoid dire consequences, all while unraveling the game’s mysterious and chilling narrative.

Elevator Ritual: A Haunting Descent into Horror and Urban Legend

Introduction

The Elevator Ritual is a chilling blend of urban legend, psychological horror, and survival gameplay that emerged from the shadows of internet folklore to become a cult phenomenon. Developed by Satria_Games and released in 2018, this RPG Maker title draws inspiration from the infamous “Elevator Game” urban legend—a ritual said to transport participants to another dimension. The game’s eerie atmosphere, unsettling narrative, and tense gameplay mechanics have cemented its place in the pantheon of indie horror experiences. But what makes Elevator Ritual so compelling? Is it a masterful adaptation of a modern myth, or does it fall short of its lofty ambitions? This review will dissect the game’s development, narrative, gameplay, and legacy to determine its true place in horror gaming history.

---

Development History & Context

The Studio and Creators’ Vision

Elevator Ritual was developed by Satria_Games, a small indie studio that leveraged the accessibility of RPG Maker to craft a horror experience rooted in urban legend. The game’s creation was likely influenced by the viral spread of the Elevator Game myth, which gained traction in the early 2010s through forums like 2ch (Japan) and Daum (South Korea). The developers sought to capitalize on the legend’s eerie allure, transforming it into an interactive nightmare where players could “experience” the ritual firsthand.

The game’s premise is simple yet terrifying: Naysilla, a hotel maid, stumbles upon a note detailing the Elevator Ritual. After performing it, she finds herself trapped in a nightmarish version of her workplace, overrun by monsters and shrouded in darkness. The developers’ vision was to create a game that mirrored the psychological dread of the urban legend, emphasizing isolation, uncertainty, and the supernatural.

Technological Constraints and the RPG Maker Legacy

Elevator Ritual was built using RPG Maker, a tool known for its accessibility but also its limitations. The engine’s 2D scrolling perspective and anime/manga-inspired art style are evident in the game’s visuals, which, while not groundbreaking, effectively convey its horror themes. The diagonal-down perspective and pixel-art aesthetics evoke a retro feel, reminiscent of classic survival horror games like Silent Hill (a noted inspiration for the developers).

However, the constraints of RPG Maker are also apparent. The game’s combat and movement mechanics are somewhat clunky, and the UI, while functional, lacks the polish of more mainstream horror titles. Despite these limitations, the developers managed to craft a tense atmosphere through clever use of lighting, sound, and environmental storytelling.

The Gaming Landscape at Release

Elevator Ritual launched in March 2018, a time when indie horror games were flourishing. Titles like LISA: The Painful RPG and IB had already demonstrated the potential of RPG Maker for horror storytelling, and Elevator Ritual sought to carve its own niche by tapping into the cultural fascination with urban legends. The game’s release on Steam for a modest price ($1.99) made it accessible to a wide audience, and its short playtime (2-3 hours) ensured it could be experienced in a single, nerve-wracking session.

---

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Plot Summary

The game follows Naysilla, a maid working in a hotel who discovers a note outlining the Elevator Ritual. Intrigued, she performs the ritual, which involves pressing a sequence of elevator buttons in a specific order. The ritual goes awry, and Naysilla finds herself trapped in a distorted version of the hotel, now infested with monstrous creatures and cloaked in an oppressive darkness. Her goal is to uncover the truth behind the ritual, survive the horrors lurking in the shadows, and escape the nightmarish dimension.

Characters and Dialogue

Naysilla is the sole playable character, and her journey is largely a solitary one. The game’s dialogue is minimal, relying instead on environmental cues and the occasional note or clue to advance the narrative. This sparse approach to storytelling amplifies the sense of isolation and dread, as players are left to piece together the mystery of the ritual and its consequences.

The lack of extensive character development is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it reinforces the game’s themes of loneliness and despair. On the other, it prevents players from forming a deep emotional connection with Naysilla, making her plight feel somewhat detached.

Themes: Isolation, Fear, and the Supernatural

Elevator Ritual explores several potent themes:
1. Isolation: The game’s setting—a deserted, monster-infested hotel—creates a palpable sense of loneliness. Naysilla’s solitude is accentuated by the absence of other humans, leaving her (and the player) to confront the horrors alone.
2. Fear of the Unknown: The game plays on the primal fear of the unseen. The darkness that envelops the hotel obscures threats, forcing players to rely on sound and intuition to navigate safely.
3. Supernatural Dread: The Elevator Ritual itself is steeped in urban legend, and the game leans heavily into the idea of a ritual gone wrong. The presence of the “woman on the fifth floor” (a staple of the Elevator Game myth) adds a layer of psychological horror, as players must resist the urge to interact with her.

The Elevator Game Mythos

The game’s narrative is deeply intertwined with the Elevator Game urban legend, which originated in Japan and South Korea. The legend posits that performing a specific sequence of elevator button presses can transport the participant to another dimension. The myth gained notoriety following the tragic death of Elisa Lam in 2013, whose bizarre elevator behavior fueled speculation about supernatural involvement.

Elevator Ritual adapts this mythos faithfully, incorporating key elements such as the ritual’s steps, the ominous woman on the fifth floor, and the eerie “other world” where electronics fail and reality is distorted. The game’s adherence to the legend’s rules lends it an air of authenticity, making the experience feel like a direct translation of the myth into interactive form.

---

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Core Gameplay Loop

Elevator Ritual is a survival horror game with light RPG elements. The core gameplay loop involves:
1. Exploration: Players navigate the hotel’s darkened corridors, searching for clues, items, and exits.
2. Puzzle-Solving: The game features a variety of puzzles, ranging from simple key hunts to more complex environmental challenges.
3. Stealth and Combat: Players must avoid or confront monsters using a mix of stealth (hiding in closets or behind objects) and combat (engaging in turn-based battles).

The loop is repetitive but effective, with the tension escalating as players progress deeper into the hotel’s horrors.

Combat and Character Progression

Combat in Elevator Ritual is turn-based, a staple of RPG Maker games. Players can attack, use items, or attempt to flee from enemies. The combat system is functional but lacks depth, with enemies often feeling more like obstacles than genuine threats. Character progression is minimal, with Naysilla gaining slight stat boosts or new abilities as she advances, but the focus remains squarely on survival and escape.

UI and Inventory Management

The game’s UI is straightforward, with an inventory system that allows players to manage items and equipment. The interface is functional but unremarkable, with no standout innovations. The lack of a map or detailed objective tracker can make navigation confusing, particularly in the hotel’s labyrinthine layout.

Innovative and Flawed Systems

Elevator Ritual’s most innovative aspect is its adaptation of the Elevator Game mythos into a playable experience. The ritual’s steps are woven into the game’s progression, with players required to perform them to advance the story. This integration of lore and gameplay is clever and immersive.

However, the game’s flaws are equally apparent. The combat system is simplistic, and the stealth mechanics can feel clunky. The lack of a map or clear objectives occasionally leads to frustration, and the short playtime (2-3 hours) may leave some players wanting more.

---

World-Building, Art & Sound

Setting and Atmosphere

The game’s setting—a once-familiar hotel transformed into a nightmarish hellscape—is its strongest asset. The transition from the mundane to the supernatural is executed brilliantly, with the hotel’s corridors and rooms warping into something alien and terrifying. The use of darkness and limited visibility heightens the tension, forcing players to rely on sound and memory to navigate.

Visual Direction

Elevator Ritual’s visuals are a mix of anime/manga-inspired character designs and pixel-art environments. While not technically impressive, the art style effectively conveys the game’s horror themes. The contrast between the hotel’s normal and corrupted states is striking, with the latter featuring distorted architecture, eerie lighting, and grotesque monsters.

Sound Design

The game’s sound design is a standout feature. The ambient noise—creaking floors, distant whispers, and the hum of malfunctioning electronics—creates an oppressive atmosphere. The lack of music in certain sections amplifies the silence, making the sudden appearance of enemies or jump scares all the more effective.

---

Reception & Legacy

Critical and Commercial Reception

Elevator Ritual received mixed reviews upon release, with a Steam score of 64/100 based on 25 user reviews. Critics praised the game’s faithful adaptation of the Elevator Game mythos and its tense atmosphere but criticized its short length, repetitive gameplay, and technical limitations. Commercially, the game found a niche audience among horror enthusiasts and fans of urban legends, though it never achieved mainstream success.

Evolution of Reputation

Over time, Elevator Ritual has gained a cult following, particularly among those fascinated by the Elevator Game legend. Its reputation as a “playable urban legend” has solidified, and it is often cited in discussions about the intersection of folklore and gaming. The game’s legacy is tied to its role in popularizing the Elevator Game mythos, introducing it to a wider audience through interactive media.

Influence on Subsequent Games

Elevator Ritual’s influence can be seen in later indie horror games that draw on urban legends and internet myths. Titles like The House of Da Vinci and Faith: The Unholy Trinity similarly blend folklore with gameplay, though none have replicated Elevator Ritual’s direct adaptation of a specific myth. The game’s success also demonstrated the potential of RPG Maker for horror storytelling, inspiring other developers to explore the engine’s capabilities.

---

Conclusion

Elevator Ritual is a flawed but fascinating experiment in interactive horror. Its faithful adaptation of the Elevator Game urban legend, combined with its tense atmosphere and clever world-building, makes it a standout title in the indie horror landscape. While its gameplay mechanics and technical limitations hold it back from greatness, its ambition and creativity are undeniable.

Final Verdict: Elevator Ritual is a must-play for fans of urban legends and psychological horror. Its short length and mixed execution may disappoint some, but its unique premise and eerie atmosphere make it a memorable experience. For those willing to overlook its flaws, it offers a chilling descent into the unknown.

Score: 7/10 – A haunting adaptation of a modern myth, held back by technical limitations but elevated by its ambition.