Description

"Nanatsu no Hikan," also known as "Seven Mansions" in English, is a horror and mystery adventure game developed and published by Koei for the Sega Saturn console in 1996. Set within a foreboding and secluded area featuring interconnected mansions, the game offers players a spine-chilling exploration-driven experience. Players assume the roles of either Kei or Reina, two characters who find themselves entangled in a baffling supernatural mystery involving their missing friends and a series of ancient artifacts. Gameplay principally revolves around puzzle-solving, exploration, and interacting with NPCs and the environment in a quest to unravel the mysterious phenomenon engulfing the setting.

"Nanatsu no Hikan" stands out in the survival horror genre of the era due to its emphasis on the exploration of large environments and a intricate plot rich with cultural references and supernatural elements. Notably, the game was designed using pre-rendered backgrounds and utilized fixed camera angles, similar in style to contemporary classics like "Resident Evil." However, it distinctively offered a more narrative-focused experience with less emphasis on combat. Despite being critically acclaimed in Japan, "Nanatsu no Hikan" remained largely unknown in the West, chiefly because it was never officially released outside of Japan. Its legacy lives on among classic gaming enthusiasts and those with a penchant for eclectic, culturally-rich narratives from the 90s gaming era.