A balut vendor is now a main character in a Filipino-made horror video game titled, ‘Hapunan’ by Josef Yenko, who is also known as ‘Yikon.’
The game’s creator, Yenko, shared on his website that Filipino culture was mainly his inspiration in the process of creating his first-ever game release. Within the realm of ‘Hapunan,’ the player would assume the role of Niko, a balut vendor who finds himself caught in a dangerous situation at the dawn of the night—which draws close to the real-life experience of balut vendors who typically sell their goods around the streets after dark.
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The player, Niko, unveils grim secrets surrounding the Barangay Captain and his friends, and a foreboding violent past. As the player braves through the night, Niko will face tough decisions, uncover hidden truths, and muster all the courage to protect his family.
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Within the thirty to forty-minute playtime, players should expect to immerse themselves in a mix of suspense, action, and an intense emotional experience that draws close to the Filipino culture and experiences.
Yenko shared on his site that the game’s conception was made around the goal for him to afford a new Personal Computer (PC). Whereas, Yenko, for the longest time, had only used a “potato PC” or an entry-level gaming computer that runs on outdated software. Yenko had made a promise to himself that once ‘Hapunan’ gets the success it deserves, he will finally get to buy himself a brand new PC, a tool he promised to use to craft even better games with intriguing stories.
The comment section of Yenko’s website was rained with praises from followers and players alike. Filipinos especially loved the little details within the game that are visibly a nod to the local culture which made the game more relatable while ingenious mixed with the thrill of the player’s journey.
The game is available to be downloaded for Windows and Android. Since Gcash is a more convenient mode of payment, Yenko made sure to have this special mode of payment for Filipino players apart from PayPal or credit cards.
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