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Paper Ghost Stories: Third Eye Open

Paper Ghost Stories: Third Eye Open

Cellar Vault Games · released Sep 4, 2024

AdventureIndiePCPlayStation 5Xbox OneNintendo Switch

Third Eye Open is a supernatural narrative adventure about a young girl coming of age. The game is set in a small Malaysian suburb which the player navigates to speak to friends, families, and ghosts. Various minigames immerse the player deeper into the protagonist's journey.

80
VGC Score
·No trend datalow confidence
80%
At launch
94%
Steam all-time
n/a
Press
100%
Recent sentiment

Screenshots & trailers

Review sentiment over time

Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.

How this score was computed

The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.

ComponentPositiveQuality (0-100)Weight (pseudo-reviews)
Press reviews (Metacritic)0
All-time Steam reviews94%8850
Metacritic user ratings0
Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted)100%970
Calibration prior (typical game)7250

Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 1 reviews sampled · 1 total reviews in window · weighted 1 up / 0 down · computed 4h ago · full methodology →

Press & Creators reviews (10)

Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.

  • 70
    trust 79Oct 24, 2024

    Paper Ghost Stories: Third Eye Open plays much more like a visual novel than an action/adventure game as claimed in the Nintendo eShop, but it provides enough minigames, light puzzle solving, and general creepiness to appeal to younger gamers haunted by the prospect of growing up.

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  • 100
    trust 77Sep 28, 2024

    Paper Ghost Stories proposes an interesting and dark story seen from the point of view of a young girl, which revolves around grieving spirits and family dramas. Although the story loses its way, at the end of the day it is a highly recommendable experience. Perhaps not for those looking for a fast-paced, terrifying story, but for those who want to experience a slow-burning narrative.

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  • 81
    trust 70Sep 11, 2024

    A unique adventure with a mix of the supernatural, family drama, and distinct cultural elements

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  • 90
    trust 68Oct 24, 2024

    The game's distinct “paper theater” art style is inspired by the Joss-Papercraft of Southeast Asia, and is set in a Malaysian suburb showcasing both Malaysian and Chinese culture.

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  • 70
    trust 68Jan 12, 2026

    Paper Ghost Stories: Third Eye Open is both an interesting and strange case, aimed at people with admittedly unusual tastes.

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  • 80
    trust 66Sep 18, 2024

    Paper Ghost Stories: Third Eye Open delivers a fantastic tale but has some flaws with navigation and instructions that do stand out.

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  • 80
    trust 65Sep 5, 2024

    Paper Ghost Stories: Third Eye Open is a unique blend of supernatural horror and cultural exploration, rooted in Malaysian folklore. The game excels in storytelling, offering a deeply engaging narrative that combines childhood innocence with darker, more sinister themes. The gameplay is solid, with engaging puzzles and timed decisions that add to the tension. Visually, the paper-craft style is both charming and eerie, perfectly complementing the tone of the game. The audio design, while effective in creating atmosphere, falls slightly short compared to other aspects. Overall, Third Eye Open delivers a memorable experience that is as emotionally resonant as it is unsettling.

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  • 65
    trust 63Jul 7, 2025

    Paper Ghost Stories is an adventure that, despite the studio's inexperience, has several strong points that are worth trying, especially its art.

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  • 85
    trust 55Sep 13, 2024

    Paper Ghost Stories: Third Eye Open is a unique experience that skillfully blends the supernatural with human, everyday themes. With an engaging narrative, deep characters, and a charming visual style, the game stands out as a sensitive and emotional work, as well as being another quality addition to Nintendo's current console catalog.

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  • 78
    trust 39Jul 21, 2025

    Paper Ghost Stories: Third Eye Open is a little gem. It's not the ideal game for those looking for action or intense scares, but it is for those who value a well-told story, outstanding art design, and sincere cultural representation. It's an endearing experience, sad at times, hopeful at others, that stays with you long after you've finished it.

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Patch history