Originally released as a freeware horror game nearly 20 years ago, GameStudio Inc.’s Ao Oni is about to make a comeback. Get ready for that massive, haunting blue visage to be burned into your brain when Ao Oni returns on Nintendo Switch and Steam on July 26, 2024.
When Ao Oni first debuted in Japan, it quickly became a hit thanks to livestreams and playthrough videos. It went on to be adapted into everything from light novels and manga to a pair of live-action films, an anime series titled Ao Oni: The Animation, and an anime film. Now you can see where it all started later this month, as previewed in the new trailer from GameStudio below.
While the visuals still hearken back to the early aughts, the latest version of Ao Oni isn’t without its updates. The devs added in a new mode called “Ao Oni -Ai’s Story-,” which introduces a new character named Ai. She ventures to the mansion that’s rumored to be haunted after an invite from her friend Mika. However, when she shows up, Mika is nowhere to be found, so now Ai is trapped and forced to explore the creepy mansion on her own. Will she be able to find the “key to her escape” and get the hell out of there before the Ao Oni gets her?
You know what? If I were her, I just wouldn’t bother. That thing freaks me the hell out.
Speed it up!
Beyond Ai’s story, Ao Oni adds an official High-Speed Mode. This one is for streamers and folks putting together Let’s Play videos, as well as anyone who has already cleared the game. You can crank it all the way up to 15x speed for those who just can’t wait to escape.
When Ao Oni touches down globally later this month it will do so with support for 10 languages, including English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Russian. I now have 21 days to enjoy seeing nothing but the grim mug of the Ao Oni every time I close my eyes. After that, I can finally square off against my big-faced fears.
