Background
   Step back to 11th century Heiankyo, which was the capital of old Japan before it was renamed Kyoto. Between the years 794 and 1192, Japan entered a tranquil period called the Heian Era where the aristocracy flourished and a refined court culture was established. Classical literature began in the Heian period where Chinese letters became a part of an evolving writing system and court ladies such as Murasaki Shikibu and Sei Shonagon penned novels. Such matters as proper kimono color combinations, incense judging and moon viewing became inclinations of the court culture in Heiankyo.

Storyline
   It is against this indolent backdrop that Kuon takes shape. A father and two daughters living near the mountains in Heiankyo are enjoying a sedate existence. One day, the father goes off to work but does not return and the two sisters go off in search for him. Their quest leads to a sprawling manse guarded by a stately door. As the two sisters approach the entrance, one girl moves ahead and hears an eerie song sung by children. She enters alone. The other sister follows but her sibling is nowhere to be seen...

The Game
   A total of five main characters may be played in the game who have their own little adventures in the house although there is interplay between them during key spots in the respective storylines. If we were to judge the style of dress of every character, as was routine during the Heian period, they'd rank high with their color-coordinated kimonos and sashes. The monsters in Kuon are primarily of the human kind - or at least they used to be human. Ambulatory corpses with broken necks, distorted limbs and gaping wounds are some examples of the horrors within the mansion. Spirits are indicated by wind gusts and then there are little beetles which swarm out of crevices and eat a person from the inside. The action in Kuon moves at a measured pace and the cinemas integrate neatly with the action for a very smooth gaming experience.

Cover Photo
   The game cover may be construed in different ways but the back story to the cover is this: Two sisters are playing near a cliff and one traipses down a rope ladder which is anchored by a wooden stake. Things get a little frantic when the older sister above is surprised by a pair of spooky little girls and lets go of the stake holding the ladder. Her younger sister tumbles to the ground and breaks her neck. Although she does not die in the accident, she is paralyzed and harbors resentment against her sibling... She serves as the covergirl for Kuon while her older sister is a playable character in the game.

Asian version vs Japan version
The only difference between the Asian and Japanese version of a PS2 game is the distribution mark on the back of the DVD insert. The Asian version includes a Japanese game DVD and a Japanese instruction manual. As an added bonus, the Asian version includes an English quick-start guide which reveals the controls in the game.

View the back cover and screenshots.

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