I feel like I need to start this review by stating that I do not like horror games. Why? First of all, they are scary, second of all, they scare me, and therefore, there does not need to be a third of all. Had I known that this was a horror game, I wouldn’t have chosen to play it, much less review it. In retrospect, the thumbnail and trailer for The Coma 2:  Vicious Sisters scream “horror,” so I have no idea what I was thinking at the time.

In this South Korean survival horror adventure game, you play as Mina Park, a student at Sehwa High. Everything seems normal at first, but Mina’s world quickly devolves into a dark, twisted version of its former self. You can explore different areas, such as the high school or police station. You complete various tasks, such as searching for and obtaining different items, while trying to escape psychotic teachers. You know, typical teenager stuff.

Despite my aversion to horror games, this game quickly won me over. I don’t think I’ve ever played a game like this before. The art style is fantastic, and the music is highly atmospheric and effective. Everything worked together to make a cohesive whole–even the tutorials were concise and to the point.  I think it’s impossible to play this game and feel bored.  You might feel scared, uncomfortable, or anxious, but definitely not bored.  It’s so good, it’s almost on par with Goosebumps Dead of Night.  That was a joke, folks.  Goosebumps was terrible. But this game, dare I say, was kind of fantastic.

The most terrifying aspect of the game was probably also my favorite. As you are exploring different areas, you can hear slow, distant footsteps of an unknown mysterious character. The sound instantly caused my spine to tingle and my eyes to widen. The footsteps belong to none other than former nice teacher turned psychotic teacher Ms. Song. When she starts screeching and chasing after you, it is both terrifying and exhilarating. Since I don’t really have many horror games to compare it to (see paragraph 1), it reminded me of the feeling I had when I first encountered a guardian in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. I was terrified but I was loving the experience at the same time. I give props to any game that causes visceral reactions such as these.

I gotta say, if you’re new to horror or you plain just don’t like it, I urge you to give this one a shot. Maybe you wouldn’t want to play it with others or in front of others, but the jump scare elements might just give you enough of a thrill that you would enjoy this game. It is very intentional in its concept and execution, and it is very well made.

The Coma 2:  Vicious Sisters kept me on my toes. For a game whose genre I’m not particularly fond of at all, and yet provided me with an immersive and atmospheric experience that I genuinely enjoyed, I have to give it the utmost respect. From the unique art style to the effective story telling, to the ominous music, puzzle-solving, and enjoyable gameplay, The Coma 2: Viscious Sisters is a solid game that, for me, transcends the genre of horror. Who knows? This could very well be my gateway game into the horror genre.  That, in and of itself, deserves high praise.

Graphics: 9.0 The art style is very unique and well done. The creepy factor in its art is on point.	Gameplay: 9.0 The gameplay was effective in its execution and I was definitely never bored.
Sound: 9.0 The footsteps were a very fun and effective gimmick. The music fit very well with the spooky atmosphere.	Fun Factor: 9.0 As a non-horror fan, I found this game to be quite enjoyable. It’s terrifying in a fun way.
Final Verdict: 9.0

The Coma 2:  Vicious Sisters is available now on PS4, Switch, Xbox One, and PC.

Reviewed on PS4.

A copy of The Coma 2:  Viscious Sisters was provided by the publisher.