Bob played “The Exit 8” and “Platform 8.”

Released at the very end of 2023, The Exit 8 (8 Ban Deguchi in the original Japanese) became a hot topic in 2024. Bob, always up-to-date on the latest trends, decided to talk about it in 2025. While at it, he’s also covering Platform 8 (8 Ban Noriba in the original Japanese), its sequel (which, spoiler alert, also happens to be a prequel!) as well as The Exit 8 VR, both of which were released in 2024, along with ports of the two games by the developer Kotake Create. According to the official site, it seems these two games were the work of a single individual, even though the ports were outsourced to third-party studios. This same developer is now working on their third game, Strange Shadow, planned for release in 2025.Technically speaking, The Exit 8 and Platform 8 are within reach for any Unreal Engine developer who’s completed a couple of tutorials. A single person can definitely pull it off—but only if they’re talented. And Kotake Create has shown that talent in spades.

What is it about?

So, what are these two games that every well-informed media outlet felt compelled to talk about in 2024? First, they’re not strictly “games” in the usual sense. The term “playful experience” seems more fitting. Each experience takes about 45 minutes (give or take 15) to complete, with very low replayability. In fact, writing about The Exit 8 or Platform 8 is a risky endeavor—the danger of revealing too much is very real.

That said, these two experiences are among the most refreshing things I’ve encountered in gaming in years. Far from AAA behemoths or indie productions that recycle the same tired gameplay mechanics, Exit/Platform 8 boldly focus on being “atmospheric games.” They demand neither skill nor reflexes; they’re all about immersion.

Set in photorealistic environments—a Japanese subway corridor (The Exit 8) or the interior of a commuter train (Platform 8)—these games are stunningly accurate, down to the sounds and visual details. The player’s sole objective is deceptively simple: find the exit.

But it’s not as straightforward as it sounds. Players find themselves wandering in circles, seemingly trapped. They must observe carefully, noticing every anomaly and supernatural event to try to escape this infinite loop. More unsettling than scary, more surprising than shocking, these two adventures let the player invent their own story. Nothing is explained, nothing is justified—everything is merely suggested.

Kotake Create reminds us that video games are, above all, an experience. This medium allows us to break the boundaries of reality and explore the world of possibilities. Far from military-realistic FPS games, ultra-competitive online titles, endless sequels, and neo-retro creations that are often just polished rehashes, The Exit 8 and Platform 8 remind us that what’s truly great about video games is the escape they offer.

And that, as they say, is priceless… Well, almost: just €3.99 per title! For that price, it’s an absolute steal. Supporting Kotake Create with a few of your hard-earned euros is a small price to pay for the promise of more high-quality creations in the future. To help convince you, Bob even went the extra mile and made a gameplay video!

What about VR?

Bob may be a bit naïve or outdated, but he still wants to believe in VR. So when The Exit 8 got a VR adaptation, I had to try it! Especially since there’s a Steam promotion going on. You’ll probably notice the VR version is more expensive, likely to cover the fees of MyDearest Inc., a Japanese company specializing in VR game development.

In the case of The Exit VR, it’s a direct port of the original game. The anomalies and progression are identical, with a few cosmetic tweaks—like bumping into the man in the hallway and making him drop his phone. As an atmospheric game, The Exit 8 is well-suited for VR.

To be direct: it works, but the visual downgrade slightly breaks the immersion, which is the key strength of The Exit/Platform 8. This visual drop surprised me because the base game isn’t technically demanding. The most notable changes are in lighting, VR’s perpetual weak spot. Since a standalone version for the Meta Quest (compatible with the five-year-old Meta Quest 2) is available, I assume the technical level was adjusted for the least powerful device, with no enhanced versions for Quest 3 or Steam VR. Disappointing but financially understandable—an example of VR’s inherent development challenges.

Don’t let this discourage you from trying The Exit 8 in VR. The experience remains fascinating, and the port compensates for visual shortcomings with improved sound design, especially spatial audio. The screenshots in this article highlight the differences, and another video (Bob was dedicated!) showcases a full VR run. The port is far from a disaster.

In summary, I spent two enjoyable hours with The Exit 8 and Platform 8, and I’m eagerly awaiting Strange Shadow. Meanwhile, if a VR version of Platform 8 comes out, I’ll be first in line!

Bob Dupneu