Forbidden Ground - Lair of Aooni – is an action-packed horror game developed and published by HYDE, Inc. for PC. In this adventure based on the Ao-oni mythos, you must explore the forbidden grounds of a Japanese school and investigate the strange phenomena that led to its abandonment. 

Search for loved ones 

In Forbidden Ground - Lair of Aooni -, you guide Himari, a stranded girl, and Komari, a haunted Japanese doll, through a crumbling, Showa-era school pulled from beneath a drained dam. As you search for missing loved ones, eerie remnants of the past emerge, hinting at the school’s tragic history. 

The building creaks with memories and prowling Blue Demons, pushing you to unravel disturbing secrets through scattered records. Unfortunately, most of your time is spent backtracking with painfully slow textboxes and unclear dialogue. Worst of all, it adds nothing new to the Ao-oni mythos. 

Has the potential 

Forbidden Ground - Lair of Aooni - has atmosphere and potential but is bogged down by sluggish pacing, repetitive gameplay, and weak storytelling. While the haunted setting and eerie tone might appeal to die-hard horror fans, most players will find little reward in revisiting ground that feels too familiar and too hollow.