Jigoku Train

About

Jigoku Train is a visual novel with RPG elements that splits its story between two distinct protagonists trapped on a mysterious train. You control Ling, an office worker who wakes up on a ride that refuses to follow its usual route, and Grant, a man with no memories who boards the same train toward an uncertain destination. Choices shape how each character navigates their situation, balancing personal survival with the train's bizarre rules. Dialogue and exploration drive the narrative, with branching paths that tie both stories to a shared mystery about identity and purpose. The game stands out for its dual perspectives, weaving philosophical questions about memory and selfhood into a contained, claustrophobic setting. While the story avoids overt action, its strength lies in quiet tension and moral ambiguity. Early feedback from beta testers highlights the writing as its centerpiece, with character arcs that feel earned through tough decisions. At just over ten hours of gameplay, it prioritizes narrative impact over length, making each choice feel weighty without dragging its feet.

Storyline

“Do you want to survive?” What is life? What do you want to achieve in life? What are you willing to do to achieve them? What will you sacrifice to achieve those goals? Ling, your average office worker having her usual shifts and living her usual life, woke up on the train one night, finding that she was not going to head to her usual destinations. Where is she heading, and what can she do in order to head back home? Or is there even any way home? “Looks like we need to do anything we can to get back.” “Do you want your memories back?” What does memories mean to you? How important are they to you? Do you need them to know who you are? Or they don’t define who you are, since you’ve lost them? Waking up with no memories in the train heading towards an unknown location, Grant is your average amnesiac guy. Accepting the assistance of an unknown young girl, will it be possible to gain his memory back, or will he uncover something else? “I will uncover the truth and my memories as well.”