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.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 83 | 98 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 95% | 89 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 92% | 87 | 43 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 124 reviews sampled · 110 total reviews in window · weighted 99.8 up / 8.3 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (58)
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
“If you’re also a fan of the oppressive, grim nature of the original game, The Mermaid’s Curse might also give you a bit of whiplash. Lots of scenes take place in broad daylight, with seemingly no sign of anything weird or supernatural. As I mentioned earlier, a lot of the story involves exploring past events, historical context, and interrogating various characters. You’re certainly not going to be using curses every five minutes to kill an NPC, and overall, it never feels particularly unsettling or scary. It’s still well worth your time, though, even if it doesn’t match up to the original.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“If this is how Paranormasight evolves, I’d love to see where it goes next. Maybe another region. Another piece of folklore. Another community hiding uncomfortable truths beneath the surface. For now, though, The Mermaid’s Curse stands as a compelling, thoughtful follow-up that proves the first game wasn’t a fluke. If you enjoy narrative-heavy experiences, layered mysteries, and a touch of the supernatural, this is absolutely worth diving into.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Paranormasight: The Mermaid’s Curse is a confident, atmospheric sequel that builds on the strengths of the original while introducing a chilling new legend to unravel. Its blend of branching choices, investigative depth, interactive flashbacks, and understated supernatural tension creates an experience that feels both familiar and freshly refined for Switch 2. It is a tightly woven mystery that leaves a lasting impression.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The Mermaid’s Curse doesn’t beg for attention. It remains quiet, focused, and at times unsettling. It trusts me to read, to think, to fail, and to try again. That trust makes it one of the strongest adventure games I’ve played in recent times. It’s bold, innovative, and channels the spirit of Square Enix’s golden era in the late 1990s.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“I was enthralled by the mystery and story of PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid’s Curse. If you like mystery stories with a supernatural twist, I can recommend this game without any doubt. The cast of characters is a lot of fun, the ways in which the story unfolds are cleverly done and there’s even a dash of meta elements that make the game a lot more memorable. As a newcomer it has made me very excited to go back and experience the first game in the series.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“A gem of a game with quirky characters and an intriguing plot that's hard to put down, Paranormasight: The Mermaid's Curse is a game that I believe everyone should experience.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid's Curse is an above-average visual novel game. It will certainly appeal to those interested in Japanese folklore, but horror fans will find the experience lacking.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Paranormasight: The Mermaid's Curse is a sequel that is firing on all cylinders. While not as overtly horrific as the first game, it nonetheless shows that the developers have a clear understanding of what did and didn't work in The Seven Mysteries and still have plenty of ideas about how to make things compelling. An excellent game for those who've played the original and those who are new to the series, The Mermaid's Curse is well worth a shot.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“The Mermaid’s Curse may not quite be as strong as its predecessor due to a less eerie atmosphere and slower narrative burn, but it’s a quality return that’s worth celebrating nevertheless. What’s within is more textbook visual novel storytelling that plays with the idea of interactivity, delivering picturesque imagery and a real sense of unravelling every thread of a mystery. The world is a better place with fine and considered pieces of work like this getting to exist beyond one-offs. The case may be closed on more paranormal affairs once again, but I’m only hoping and praying Square Enix doesn’t keep it closed all that long.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“While it lacks the jaw-dropping twists of its predecessor, Paranormasight: The Mermaid’s Curse is an excellent supernatural story that weaves historical and mythological tales into an intriguing and often deadly mystery. If Square Enix continues to put such effort and care into these games, I hope Paranormasight can become a new long-running series.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid’s Curse is a fantastic story that may even make you wish the game was slightly longer. For those who want a mystery that transcends a lifetime set in a beautiful fishing village backdrop, this is for you. While not puzzle heavy, when they appear, they are well thought out and clever. When focused on the narrative, the story is well paced. The writing is smart enough to reiterate the things you need to know without feeling too repetitive. After this entry into the series, I hope Square Enix knows they have something precious in their hands and continues to revisit this series in the future.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Paranormasight: The Mermaid’s Curse is just as intoxicating and surprising as its predecessor, but has an integrally different tone and flavor to its surprisingly heartfelt love story. It’s a new classic for the visual novel genre.”
read full review ↗
Nintendo Life
ani-game.com
Cubed3
Digitec Magazine
NintendoWorldReport
Siliconera
KonsoliFIN
Worth Playing
Checkpoint Gaming
MonsterVine
Gamer Social Club
Pocket Tactics…and 46 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Notice of Version Update 1.1Apr 16, 2026