Product Info

Platform

Switch, PC, iOS, Android

Publisher

Square Enix

Developer

Square Enix

Series

PARANORMASIGHT

Genre

Adventure, Puzzle, Simulation

Players

1

File Size (Minimum)

846 MB

Release Date (NA)

Feb 18, 2026

Purchase From

eShop

Steam

Android

iOS

PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid’s Curse is the second installment of the PARANORMASIGHT series. Like its predecessor, The Mermaid’s Curse is a supernatural mystery game that has compelling storytelling that will leave players yearning to uncover the mystery on the island of Kameshima.

If you have not played the first game, PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo, you can still play The Mermaid’s Curse without needing to know about the previous game.

Searching for Immortality

The horror, thriller, and narrative-driven investigation revolves around the mystery of mermaids, their curses, and the story of gaining immortality. Meanwhile, tragic events are unfolding on the island of Kameshima. The game incorporates Japanese history and folklore to create the background and storyline of The Mermaid’s Curse. As you begin to uncover secrets, your desire to continue grows. Instead of controlling just one character, you will be switching between characters and delving into each of their stories, expanding upon the game’s “Story Chart.”

The Story Chart is a narrative tool that weaves together different paths for players to explore, allowing them to switch between characters to trigger events and further develop the story. The layout is easy to understand, and watching the chart evolve based on your experiences adds to the enjoyment of the storytelling. Just when you think you have hit a dead end, or sometimes unexpectedly, The Storyteller will break the fourth wall to engage in a dialogue with you. This unique approach keeps things fresh and innovative.

Searching All the Angles

Players will utilize the game’s mechanics to search the area in 360-degree environmental exploration, uncovering information from the stars, landscape, and nearby items. This detective work will reveal clues that initiate more conversations within the current chapter or uncover new chapters from other characters, building on the Story Chart. When the story progresses from your discoveries, it feels rewarding.

The game doesn’t constantly throw in thriller moments like the popular horror game, Resident Evil; instead, there are suspenseful moments that build up to key points. Scenes like daylight walks on the beach or collecting thoughts in a nearby inn add depth to the storytelling. The game aims to engage players interactively, such as using a jewel to search for a cursed item by slowly moving it until it reacts. The opening cinematic of scuba diving to collect items and uncover secret areas is intriguing as the game uses the data you’ve played through the game’s story. Players are also asked to input names to solve riddles. These interactive moments and puzzles are not overly challenging but require attention to detail.

Players can control the scene using the game’s controller or touchscreen capabilities. The touchscreen functions as the left joystick, allowing players to maneuver icons and initiate commands like chat or search. Players can also select map locations or start specific chapters in the story chart, providing additional options beyond joystick control.

The right joystick enables a 360-degree view search, but some puzzles require precise use of the right stick, which can be overly sensitive. For instance, aligning lines on a boxed item with the landscape may require minor adjustments that are not immediately obvious. The game could benefit from greater precision or sensitivity adjustment options to address these challenges. While rare, players should be mindful of these precision moments. 

Overall, the experience of uncovering the mystery in The Mermaid’s Curse is compelling, striking a balance between tension, solvable puzzles, and a manageable pace that avoids overwhelming players.

Feeling Spooked

The supernatural game creates a thrilling, spooky vibe with its eerie soundtrack and sound effects. Some moments are chilling, especially when searching for a spirit while using a mirror for reflection. From gruesome scenes of a mummified mermaid to storytelling of Japanese folklore, the game is full of suspense.

Each character has a distinctive design and their dialogues convey unique personality traits. However, a major drawback of the storytelling game is the lack of voice acting. Adding at least one language would have enhanced the emotional depth and brought the characters to life. 

The illustrations have a watercolor feel with thick brushstroke lines and subtle animated noise, giving them an old-school vibe. Backgrounds are photo-like visuals that may appear pixelated when zoomed in, similar to the character illustrations. The game’s visuals and controls are best experienced on a console’s portable view rather than a television screen.

The user interface, like the Story Chart, is clean, easy to navigate, and filled with data. Players must use the game’s data files to solve riddles and recall earlier moments to understand unfolding events. It can be challenging to remember everything and everyone, making the data files a useful tool that can be accessed at any time.

The Final Clue

PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid’s Curse delivers a suspenseful narrative adventure that intertwines folklore, curses, and immortality into a layered island of mystery. Through multi-character storytelling and engaging investigative mechanics, it creates a chilling atmosphere, despite minor control quirks and the absence of voice acting.

A Nintendo Switch review code was provided for this review and played on the Nintendo Switch 2. PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid’s Curse arrives for the Nintendo Switch, PC (Steam), iOS, and Android devices on February 19, 2026. Fans can visit the game’s official website for more information.