White Day: A Labyrinth Named School is a Korean survival horror game set in a haunted high school during the night. Players take on the role of a student trapped inside after attempting to leave a gift for a girl he admires. What begins as a simple gesture quickly spirals into a night of supernatural terror, where ghosts and twisted mysteries of the school’s past reveal themselves
Developed and published by Sonnori in South Korea, White Day: A Labyrinth Named School was originally released on September 1, 2001, for Microsoft Windows. At launch, it was a PC-exclusive and became a cult favorite due to its unique setting and cultural perspective within the survival horror genre.
Gameplay
The game emphasizes vulnerability, with no combat system available. Players must survive by stealth, hiding, and solving puzzles while being pursued by the school’s janitors and haunted by a variety of Korean folk-inspired ghosts. Inventory management is key, as healing items and resources are scarce, reinforcing the survival aspect of the horror. The game also features multiple endings depending on player choices, dialogue interactions, and performance.
Visuals and Style
White Day’s visual presentation was rooted in early-2000s PC 3D graphics, with a distinct Korean aesthetic that set it apart from Japanese or Western horror games of the time. While character models appear dated today, the oppressive atmosphere, dark hallways, and clever use of lighting and sound design effectively build dread. Ghost designs were heavily inspired by Korean folklore, which gave the game a unique cultural identity in its horror approach.
Importance in Survival Horror History
White Day is historically significant for bringing Korean horror into the gaming space, showcasing cultural myths and legends rarely explored in the medium at that time. Unlike many survival horror titles focused on combat or action, White Day embraced pure tension, making it more psychologically unnerving. It is often cited as one of the scariest PC horror games of its era and inspired future Korean indie horror projects.
Reception vs Historical Value
Upon release, the game struggled commercially due to limited distribution and its regional exclusivity in Korea. However, critics and players who experienced it praised its difficulty, atmosphere, and the authenticity of its cultural horror. Over time, it grew into a cult classic, regarded as one of the most terrifying survival horror games ever created. Its historical value lies in its rarity and its role in expanding survival horror beyond Japan and the West.
Availability and Collectibility
The original 2001 PC release is extremely rare today, making it a prized collectible among survival horror enthusiasts. Physical copies are scarce, and the game was never widely distributed outside of Korea. White Day later received remakes and re-releases on modern platforms (such as iOS, Android, PlayStation 4, and PC via Steam), but the original 2001 build remains largely inaccessible. Collectors consider the boxed Korean PC version one of the hardest and most valuable survival horror titles to obtain.
Steam Link to Remake: Click Here
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