The feeling of isolation and losing one’s grip on reality is at the core of Broken Lore: Don’t Lie, a chilling spin-off of the horror game Don’t Watch. This new title plunges players into the mind of Junko, a young woman in self-imposed isolation. As a ‘hikikomori,’ Junko has secluded herself from the outside world, and following a therapeutic program, she finds herself alone again, attempting to reconnect with people she met, including Shinji, the familiar protagonist from Don’t Watch.
Making its debut during the PC Gaming Show Tokyo Direct, the first trailer for Don’t Lie delivered a truly chilling impression of the psychological horror that awaits, captivating audiences with its unsettling visuals and premise.
Unraveling Junko’s Reality: Gameplay and Horrors
The game is played from a first-person perspective, immersing you directly in Junko’s apartment and her crumbling psyche. As you explore, her mind conjures up disturbing liminal spaces and terrifying hallucinations, blurring the line between what is real and what is not. The environments feature a mix of hyper-realistic interiors, such as eerie swimming pools and hallways plastered with notes, creating a profoundly disorienting experience.
Adding to the terror is a frightening, eye-covered monster directly inspired by the Dodomeki, a spirit from Japanese folklore. The sheer number of eyes is enough to send a shiver down anyone’s spine, enhancing the game’s deep psychological dread.
A Glimmer of Escape: The Fantasy Boy Mini-Game
To contrast the intense scares, Junko has a unique coping mechanism: a fully-playable, side-scrolling ’90s-style adventure game called ‘Fantasy Boy.’ This game-within-a-game serves as a way for her to calm her nerves when life becomes overwhelming. However, this escape is only for her. Don’t Lie maintains its first-person perspective, displaying ‘Fantasy Boy‘ on an in-game TV, which masterfully enhances the immersion. Even when Junko tries to escape into her game, you, the player, remain trapped in the horrors of her reality, a brilliant narrative device.
Release Window and Wishlist
Broken Lore: Don’t Lie is anticipated to be released sometime in 2026. Horror fans eager to step into Junko’s unsettling world can wishlist Broken Lore: Don’t Lie on Steam now. This intriguing title was one of many exciting reveals from the PC Gaming Show Tokyo Direct. Stay tuned to Digital Tech Explorer for more in-depth coverage and updates on this promising psychological horror game and other emerging tech trends.