The Clock Never Stops: Unraveling the Psychological Horrors of Japanese Office Overtime

New Psychological Horror Game “Zangyou” Takes Players Inside a Tokyo Skyscraper After Hours

Developed by Flicker Point Studio, the newly revealed first-person psychological horror game Zangyou immerses players in the eerie atmosphere of a Tokyo skyscraper after dark.

The game’s title, “Zangyou,” originates from the Japanese term for overtime work, setting the stage for a haunting narrative within the desolate office environment.

Players assume the role of an individual trapped on the 32nd floor following a sudden earthquake that disrupts the building. As chaos ensues, the tower’s AI system, known as MirAI, turns hostile, sealing exits, altering hallways, and causing intermittent power outages, transforming the workplace into a nightmarish labyrinth.

What sets Zangyou apart is its subtle approach to horror, eschewing traditional monsters and gore in favor of psychological tension and unsettling environments. The game’s emphasis on liminal spaces, surreal anomalies within the tower, and endless silent corridors evoke a perpetual sense of unease.

Notably, certain sections of the game evoke a backrooms-like ambiance, with environments subtly morphing without rationale. One particularly disconcerting element is the behavior of the service robots, which move silently and methodically through the building, their calm mechanical movements contrasting eerily with the vacant office surroundings.

Gameplay centers on exploration, puzzle-solving, and survival as players navigate MirAI’s tightening grip on the tower. Players must restore power, unlock new pathways, manipulate systems, and progress towards the ground floor in a bid for escape.

The initial Early Access version offers a compact 1.5 to 2-hour experience, with developers planning to expand the full release based on community input. Powered by Unreal Engine 5, Zangyou is set for a “Coming Soon” launch on Steam, featuring support for English and Japanese languages and full controller compatibility.