Why PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid's Curse Is Trending
Square Enix's cult psychological mystery series is back, and critics are already calling The Mermaid's Curse the stronger entry. Releasing today (February 19, 2026), the sequel earns an 85 on OpenCritic with an incredible 96% critic recommendation rate — placing it in the top 7% of all games scored on the platform. For a niche visual novel adventure from Square Enix's experimental side, that's a massive achievement.
The original PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo was a sleeper hit that quietly became one of the most-praised mystery games of its year. This sequel doubles down on what worked — striking visual presentation, psychological tension, and clever deduction-based puzzle design — while fine-tuning the gameplay and delivering a story that challenges you to rethink your assumptions at every turn. It's a game that rewards patience and immersion.
Key Stats
Trending in the Steam — category with 85 concurrent players and +380/wk followers gained this week.
What Critics & Players Are Saying
✅ Reasons to Play
- Stronger cast, better deduction puzzles, and more ambitious story than the original
- No prior game knowledge needed — fully accessible to newcomers
- Striking visual style and atmospheric Japanese supernatural setting
❌ Things to Consider
- Fairly linear — it's more of a crafted narrative experience than an open-ended mystery
- Less horror emphasis than the first game (some fans may miss the scarier moments)
- Short by some standards at 8–12 hours, though the quality justifies the price
What the Community Is Saying
Imagine my shock when I heard that a second PARANORMASIGHT game got announced, with the game releasing mere weeks after. I thought the first game was a beautiful, underrated gem and I never could have guessed a sequel would be made. I am glad this was made, for this game is FIRE…
Here I am, 2 years and 7 months after I 100% completed PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo and reviewed it, and a new game has been released, hence marking PARANORMASIGHT as a series, just as I wished for. Now, about the game, PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid's Curse is an…
Fun dive fishing game! Oh, and there is a visual novel attached to the side. That's cool I guess. In all seriousness, The Mermaid's Curse is a great follow up to The Seven Mysteries of Honjo. It maintains that same level of writing, containing a gripping mystery populated with…
Oh, let me tell you about my life as a diver. Being a diver isn’t just a hobby; it’s a lifestyle, a calling, an oceanic adventure that begins the moment I slap on my wetsuit and take a deep breath. The thrill of descending into the water, surrounded by nothing but the deep blue…
I played the game on NSW2 but I bought it here as well just because I loved the 1st one and 2nd is an improvement over it. Was happy this got announced, as I did not expect it at all. And yes - it plays well on Steam Deck (where I ran it so I can do the review) Enjoy !
Should You Play PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid's Curse?
PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid's Curse holds overwhelmingly positive reviews on Steam with a 100% positive rating, one of the most celebrated games in its genre on Steam. It attracts 85 players at its recent 24-hour peak, showing strong player retention for a — title. The combination of strong developer support and passionate community has kept it highly rated over time.
PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid's Curse is mid-range priced at $24.99 on Steam, developed by Square Enix. Players who enjoy the — genre and want something currently trending on Steam will find PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid's Curse worth checking out.
Should You Play PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid's Curse?
PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid's Curse holds overwhelmingly positive reviews on Steam with a 100% positive rating, one of the most celebrated games in its genre on Steam. It attracts 85 players at its recent 24-hour peak, showing strong player retention for a — title. The combination of strong developer support and passionate community has kept it highly rated over time.
PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid's Curse is mid-range priced at $24.99 on Steam, developed by Square Enix. Players who enjoy the — genre and want something currently trending on Steam will find PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid's Curse worth checking out.
Is PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid's Curse Worth Playing in 2026?
Is PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid's Curse worth playing?
Yes, absolutely. It scores 85 on OpenCritic with 96% of critics recommending it — placing it among the best mystery adventure games of 2026 so far. Reviewers at Polygon, Dual Shockers, and Noisy Pixel all call it a great thriller with strong storytelling and clever puzzle design. If you enjoy psychological mystery games, this is a must-play.
Do I need to play the first PARANORMASIGHT to understand this one?
No — The Mermaid's Curse has no direct story ties to the original PARANORMASIGHT. You can jump straight in as a newcomer and enjoy the full experience. That said, fans of the first game will recognize the distinctive tone, visual style, and supernatural atmosphere that made the original a cult hit.
What type of game is PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid's Curse?
It's a visual novel-style mystery adventure with deduction and puzzle-solving elements. Set against a backdrop of supernatural events in Japan, you investigate a series of mysterious deaths connected to curse rituals. The gameplay revolves around gathering clues, interrogating characters, and making deductions that push the story forward — with some genuinely tricky logic puzzles woven throughout.
How long is PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid's Curse?
Most players complete the main story in 8–12 hours. It's a focused, premium narrative experience — not a sprawling open world. Given the $24.99 price tag and the critical acclaim, reviewers unanimously consider it well worth the investment, comparing the value favorably to other story-driven games of similar length.
Is it free to play?
No, PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid's Curse costs $85 on Steam. It is not a free-to-play game, though Steam sales occasionally offer discounts.
How many people play PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid's Curse?
PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid's Curse has reached 85 concurrent players at its 24-hour peak. Player counts fluctuate with updates, sales, and new content — check SteamDB for the latest live data.
