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Game
Game2024
Paper Ghost Stories: Third Eye Open
Developer Cellar Vault Games
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. From the Steam store page
80 reactions from 2 sources (Steam reviews, Bluesky) · newest Aug 30, 2026 · last updated Oct 8, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
97
LovedLoved
61 positive · 2 negative
95% range 89–99%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam reviews | 61 | 2 | 0 |
| Bluesky * | 7 | 0 | 10 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
Steam's own rating
Very Positive
61 of 63 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What players are saying
97% recommend · 61 yes, 2 no
Counted from the reviewers’ own thumbs up/down on the 63 English Steam reviews we collected, not by the AI. Valve’s all-language rating: Very Positive (93 of 99 positive).
Players praise the emotional story and unique paper theater art style. [1][2][3] Many appreciate the authentic Malaysian and Chinese cultural representation. [4][5][6] Some find the pacing slow, especially in the first half. [7][8]
Liked
Representative posts
- [1]
Ohh Paper Ghost Stories: Third Eye Open, what an amazing and emotional story. You kinda broke me but I loved the journey and was in awe with the artwork during the whole game. Approximate amount of time to 100%: I would guess around 14h without a guide Estimated achievement difficulty: 4/10 Minimum number of playthroughs needed: 1 + chapter selection Is there a good guide available: Not yet when I write this …
- [5]
As a Malaysian, Broken English is a MUST TICK for me (Optional if you guys don't care), This game to be honest, is an prequel to their previous game 7PM (Recommend to try it out), way longer in story structure, as well as improve on their art style. The story overall itself is abit emotional and i enjoyed it. However, i encounter few small bugs here and there, and some of the backstory not really explain well (which …
- [3]
Review in progress, but WOW, what an incredible and immersive experience. The immediate star of course is the art style - this whole papercut-carboard aesthetic is done so well, so pretty. And together with great ambient music and sound design it just feels so comfy, and pleasant to play (I played with a controller). It has the vibes of childhood summer vacation story with a tint of paranormal and supernatural. And …
- [10]
Storyline: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I didn’t expect the plot twist at the end—it was unexpected but really tied the story together emotionally. The narrative kept me hooked from start to finish, and the connection to 7PM made it even more engaging. Art Style:⭐⭐⭐⭐ Comel je (It’s cute), don’t underestimate the paper theatre visuals! The unique art style gives the game a charming yet spooky atmosphere that enhances the overall …
- [2]
Beautiful game and look great on the OLED Steamdeck, loved the story and the amount of love and care that has gone into this game. It's a really authentic and honest game that I highly recommend and the story and characters are just as beautiful as the art style. Highly recommend as the more people that play this the more chance we get of getting more from this team.
Summarised from 34 of the 80 public posts collected about this game; every point cites the posts behind it ([n] opens the post) and the split is counted from the posts’ own ratings. Updated Oct 13, 2026. How summaries are made
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
Players who liked Paper Ghost Stories: Third Eye Open talk about beautiful and unique paper doll art style; those who didn't talk about slow pacing, especially early on. Which matters more to you?
Reactions
60 of 80 · most liked firstOhh Paper Ghost Stories: Third Eye Open, what an amazing and emotional story. You kinda broke me but I loved the journey and was in awe with the artwork during the whole game. Approximate amount of time to 100%: I would guess around 14h without a guide Estimated achievement difficulty: 4/10 Minimum number of playthroughs needed: 1 + chapter selection Is there a good guide available: Not yet when I write this Multiplayer achievements: No Missable achievements: Hard to answer, there is chapter…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Paper Ghost Stories is a unique game, I love the art style, the Malaysian and Singaporean Culture that is presented, the small details around the house, like for example the Fridge noise, the background chatter during the Lunar New Year. Since I played Paper Ghost Story: 7PM, I was looking forward for this entry and also surprised how the story connects with the characters and place. If you're wondering about the previous game, it is now included with this game. Played through the entire game…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A mix of adventure, quest and visual novel with Malaysian/Chinese flavour, "paper theater" style graphics, mini games and puzzles. Five years from the life of the girl who can communicate with ghosts. Gameplay: https://youtu.be/K9pr4wsn3u0 You take on the role of little girl Ting. She has a ghost friend named Xiu. Together with her, Ting goes through the stages of growing up, makes new friends, helps ghosts and tries to keep her family from falling apart. The gameplay with visual novel style…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Beautiful game and look great on the OLED Steamdeck, loved the story and the amount of love and care that has gone into this game. It's a really authentic and honest game that I highly recommend and the story and characters are just as beautiful as the art style. Highly recommend as the more people that play this the more chance we get of getting more from this team.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A first look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAWRTJqeGZA Ting can see ghosts, but is this a gift, curse, or maybe both? Discover it in this hauntingly beautiful and unique story-driven adventure inspired by Malaysian and Chinese myths and culture. Being a little kid, growing up isn't always so easy. Especially not when you suddenly move to a new place where you know no one. Thankfully, it doesn't take long before Ting, our main protagonist, makes friends with Xiu. And while her parents,…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →My only gripe is the children characters speak like adults as in their vocabulary consist of words that children wouldn't regularly use. Otherwise, this is a very solid game with beautiful art style and great insight into Malaysian Chinese culture. Play in Broken English for extra immersion! Also includes Paper Ghost Stories: 7PM
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →🚀 Supported the launch of many titles from the region including Nine Sols (for Game Pass), The Star Named EOS, Cat Quest 3, My Lovely Empress, Paper Ghost Stories: Third Eye Open, Dark Light, DreadHaunt, and Petit Island.
neutral · AI labelView post →The game is so underrated, I hope alot of people will notice about this hidden gem. The game is developed by local studio in Malaysia. The elements that incorporated in the game really hit to the spot, especially those growth and lived in Southeast Asia. The game story really wholesome. I like the message that they try to convey to us, the audience. The game is 8.5/10, I like the unique origami-style they used in the game, so beautiful. Please give it a try. The game really got alot of love…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →★★★★★ https://youtu.be/ZmikQsTPb9M Gameplay: Good Story: Incredible Graphics: Very Nice PC Requirements: Mid-High Game Time: 5-6 hours
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I had a great time with this game even tho I had to rush a review out since I received the code a day before launch. Paper Ghost Stories: Third Eye Open unfolds across multiple chapters, each presenting new challenges for Ting to overcome. The game controls are uncomplicated, and you can easily navigate through without the need for a tutorial. A significant portion of the game involves interacting through conversations, as there is no voice acting, requiring you to read through the dialogue.…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →As a Malaysian, Broken English is a MUST TICK for me (Optional if you guys don't care), This game to be honest, is an prequel to their previous game 7PM (Recommend to try it out), way longer in story structure, as well as improve on their art style. The story overall itself is abit emotional and i enjoyed it. However, i encounter few small bugs here and there, and some of the backstory not really explain well (which they probably need to explain well or at least create some encyclopedia on the…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Really adore how a single title card can describe the whole story in Paper Ghost Stories: Third Eye Open by Cellar Vault Games (Malaysia). It represents Ting's mental decline (from abusive fathr to opening her third eye) Really recommend for those who loves narrative horror game #indie #horror
positive · AI labelView post →I just finished Paper Ghost Stories: Third Eye Open I didn't expect to finish this game today... and I'm not sure what I think about the ending, but... what an adventure. Final episode (long time coming) on my YouTube in July.
neutral · AI labelView post →Stunning original game with a excellent representation of the Malaysian culture Story is great, characters are unique and gameplay is somewhere between a quest and a visual novel Highly recommended! A true gem among indie games :)
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →As a person who had just marathon back-to-back two Southeast Asian juggernauts of a story-based game, playing Paper Ghost Stories: Third Eye Open feels like it is somewhat of an interesting change of pace for me… As far as the story goes, this game kinda feels more like a "mini side-story" that could perfectly be enjoyed as an appetiser before or even a mid-break between the two games that I've played which were: A space of the unbound and Until Then… And unlike those two games, I feel like…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This is a BEAUTIFULLY done game. I love the paper doll aesthetic and I adored the story! The devs were kind enough to send me a key and I played all of Third Eye Open on stream. The cultural notes were absolutely fascinating and I very much appreciate the moments where you get to have the tension lowered. It makes it so much sweeter when the tension builds back up for a scare. Very good character work and also very heart-touching and emotional in places. I'm not the greatest at quick time…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →So I wanna start this review off by saying that I was sent this game by the developer. Despite this, it wouldn't be too hyperbolic to say this is probably my favorite game I've played in 2024 and my personal game of the year. Now to start, the gameplay isn't going to be significantly more than a walking simulator and some pointing or clicking with some minor mix-ups to the formula that I won't mention for spoilers. If you're expecting more than that then this one isn't the title. However,…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Pros: - Cultural tidbits and facts - Music - Illustrative work - Story - Characters - Short mini-games Cons: - Pacing (takes entirely too long to get to anything super interesting) - Length (too long) - Portions of the game felt unnecessary and didn't add to the greater story (talking to kids at the daycare to get their name and favorite food???) - Too much cultural slang made for a difficult stream as someone who isn't used to speaking that way Overall I don't think I'll be recommending this…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Storyline: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I didn’t expect the plot twist at the end—it was unexpected but really tied the story together emotionally. The narrative kept me hooked from start to finish, and the connection to 7PM made it even more engaging. Art Style:⭐⭐⭐⭐ Comel je (It’s cute), don’t underestimate the paper theatre visuals! The unique art style gives the game a charming yet spooky atmosphere that enhances the overall experience. Horror:⭐⭐⭐⭐ There are some well-placed jumpscares (sudden scary moments)…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A worthwhile narrative full of spooks, truths and the growing pains of youth. tl;dr: More Night in The Woods than Scarlet Hollow, Third Eye Open provides a memorable narrative adventure through it's unique art and setting, even if the pace sometimes falters by leaning too hard into the slice of life sections, instead of striking the nice balance between scary and dramatic that most of the game carries. Pros: TEO has a great and unique visual design, not only from the 2D cutouts of…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Really love it! Always a fan since 7PM, an interesting POV from the MC. Broken english is very recommended hahahahahaha (Ps. not from Malay, but it's very relatable with chinese Indonesian). Gonna wait for the sequel!!! This series need to be alive till the next hungry ghost festival!!!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Wokely changing the name of my custom Steam game collection from J-HORROR to ASIAN HORROR as I add Paper Ghost Stories to it. My girlfriend, who is dripping wet and hanging partially out of my TV, rolls her eyes at me. Well, she rolled her head, I can't see her eyes because her face is covered in lo
neutral · AI labelView post →The game is a bit slow at the first half of the story, but I love the abandoned house episodes. The puzzles are pretty intense and challenging. However, there is one thing that annoys me so much in this game, I want to hentam him like hell. The father, ugh!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Stream Live! My brain has fought back against me. Instead of gacha games tonight, I will be playing a horror game called Paper Ghost Stories, a Malaysian narrative game. That and I had it installed for a while already so why not~ #Vtuber #ENVtuber twitch.tv/AniconicTea
neutral · AI labelView post →This game is nothing like I played before. The concept of making characters and backgrounds out of paper is so good, I find myself keep looking at them lol. I am an Asian myself so I find some of the culture/personalities very relatable, especially involving family dynamics and the ghosts. I haven't finish playing the game yet but totally recommend it for someone who's into ghost stories and discovering different cultures! Can't wait to see the end ^ w ^
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →i thought this was a spooky game,,,, why is it sad,,,
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Review in progress, but WOW, what an incredible and immersive experience. The immediate star of course is the art style - this whole papercut-carboard aesthetic is done so well, so pretty. And together with great ambient music and sound design it just feels so comfy, and pleasant to play (I played with a controller). It has the vibes of childhood summer vacation story with a tint of paranormal and supernatural. And because of how the beginning is structured (a slowburn to settle you in) you…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Still playing through the game, but really enjoying the story and art style so far. The story is very centered around Malaysian culture in the best of ways
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Great game with a decently long story for its price, a very intriguing storyline and also set in Malaysia which I love. Very easily immersed in the culture and language. The pace of the story starts off slow but it does ramp up at the end. I was very attached to a lot of the characters, especially Xiu. Also the music is very fitting for the whole game, found myself humming along while playing. The vibe in general is very good, the slice of life moments were chill and the more horror moments…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Confusingly mundane. Like, I got about 45-60 minutes in and it's just the utterly generic story of a 6-year-old Malaysian girl's first day at school. With a friend who is either a ghost or imaginary. Also, really awful camera controls. I'm just... really confused? I expected something spookier or more thrilling, and while it was pretty, it felt a bit hollow. That said, if you want, you can check out my video below; https://youtu.be/RcvkvzMZhMo
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Im enjoying it so far and have completed Chapter 1. Looking forward to the rest of the game and definitly added to my recommended list
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Remember to tick "broken english" XD The spooks take a while to get there but its the friends (and ghost friends) we made along the way that matter. The art style is charming and the characters hit very close to home. I also really appreciate the cultural explanations of the slangs used for "Broken english" xD The game is a fun time. ps. the QTE math problems gave me ptsd flash backs XD
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Started Paper Ghost Stories and I'm hype just from seeing the setting menu, alone. It's not likely to be a bad game if they put this much effort into the UI.
positive · AI labelView post →2. Paper Ghost Stories: Third Eye Open (&7PM). I was expecting this to be a horror game but it was more of a girl's growing up story with spooky vibes. The story is a sad one, reflecting the times, traditions and culture of Malaysia. The unique paper doll -art style is the main reason I got this.
neutral · AI labelView post →Paper Ghost Stories: Third Eye Open is a one-of-a-kind horror game. Or maybe not as much a horror game, as a ghost story (yes, shouldn't be surprising, since it's in the title). It reminds me of those old shows that sometimes had an episode where characters would explore a haunted house. Rather than being scary, it's mysterious in a vaguely... "comfy" manner. It's focused on storytelling, but there's enough gameplay for it to not feel like a visual novel. And, aside from some minor technical…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Paper Ghost Stories: Third Eye Open is a game that features a paper theater art style, and a story steeped in Malaysian culture! It's out now on all major platforms, and you can check out our review via the link below! Link: a-to-jconnections.com/gaming/caugh... #PaperGhostStoriesThirdEyeOpen
neutral · AI labelView post →Honestly I am surprised how the story of this game turned out I really loved and enjoyed the game and played it until chapter 8 on stream. You should definetly check out the game but I reccomend you to not read much spoilers as the game is narrative driven and it's like ironically reading a book. Absolutely reccomended. if you wanna see the start of the game (2 chapters) tho I made a video on youtube: https://youtu.be/efm55ksb-wk
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I have only played the first chapter but already i can tell this game is special for me. I spent a large part of my life living in SE Asia and immediately the culture, sounds, language used and imagery in this game feel familiar and nostalgic. I love how the game takes its time to explore the family setup and relationships giving you these little slices of life and give you a realistic snapshot of family life in this region. The graphics are stunning. The unique art style is what first drew…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Very proud to know that a Malaysian Studio developed this masterpiece! South East Asians might find the story very relatable, and I really love that the art direction is very intentional and well designed. It was fun practicing voice acting with the dialogues as there are not many materials out there that is true to myself; for a Malaysian like me to practice with. Wishing the studio all the best in their future endeavors!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →2 chapters in and I'm already loving it. There was so much blast from the past, and I had fun pointing out some of the nostalgic Malaysian cultural experiences from the 2000's in the game. If you're wondering how Malaysian Chinese kids were raised in some families, then this is it. As for the horror, it jumps between a 0 and a 100. The narrative is very compelling, and it's the right amount of suspense. The art style isn't you atypical for horror games (as far as the ones I've seen). It does…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The goods - It's really nice to see Malaysian culture in video game, some more got broken English! Though I think some of it is a bit forced la, don't think Malaysian ever say like that haha. Overall a refreshing experience. The bads - The controls and camera angles are very awkward and frustrating to play with, especially during stealth mission, I would imagine this game to be a hard pass if you're not in for the Malaysian settings.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Love seeing Malaysian culture being showcased in this unique art style
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Thanks for the devs for giving me a key to their game Wow, this game might be another one of the best games for me in 2024. As a Malaysian, there are so many things I can relate to the main character and others and this what makes the game fun for me Love how the sounds in the game are actually real life sounds like the devs really went outside and recorded the natural sounds for the game and that what makes this game unique and different than most visual novels The art style were great as…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Paper Ghost Stories: Third Eye Open #review #indiegame Ohh Paper Ghost Stories: Third Eye Open, what an amazing and emotional story. You kinda broke me but I loved the journey and was in awe with the artwork during the whole game. Full review: www.missitheachievementhuntress.com/paper-ghost-...
positive · AI labelView post →I will start off by saying I wasn't really sure what to expect with this game, despite the fact I usually enjoy most games related to Horror / ghosts / the supernatural etc. The game is story based and revolves around a young child who can see spirits, the game spans over several years of her life and is split into many chapters, some involve just walking around chatting, picking up things, others have some puzzles to solve and stealth sections, these aren't hard but if you fail you have to…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →🛍️This week on the eShop: Ace Attorney Investigations Collection, BAKERU, Gimmick! 2, Paper Ghost Stories: Third Eye Open, Shogun Showdown, and Sunsoft is Back! Retro Game Selection www.vooks.net/nintendo-dow...
neutral · AI labelView post →A beautifully crafted adventure. The art and music are amazing and the story is really cool so far. I love the Malaysian setting too as it's not something i know.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It's a nice game that has a slow start because it wants to setup the story. This is a good thing in this case because it wants to tell you more about Malasyia, the 2000s and knowing your parents better. The story is about a little girl and her ghost friend and the pressure of family to be "social adequate". The horror story starts a bit later . I played the first 30 minutes and it was great https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFHKV6cG4HI The game artstyle is great and incredibly detailed, the…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →-there are some minor bugs n glitches in third eye open, sometimes they make the game broken and need to be restarted which makes it annoying sometime. -i hate 7pm game so much, please be easier with jumpscare like third eye open, it was nice to see horror game without execessive jumpscare. pokoknya jumpscare bangsat dikurangi dulu, jalan dikit di 7pm ketemu hantu nakal jir. +i never open the notebook during the gameplay as its super useless but appreciate beutiful artwork it had, terrific job…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Paper Ghost Stories: Third Eye Open is a narrative-driven supernatural adventure developed by Cellar Vault Games and published by Chorus Worldwide Games. Drawing heavily from Malaysian culture, folklore, and family traditions, the game delivers a heartfelt coming-of-age tale that stands apart from conventional horror experiences. Instead of focusing on constant scares or survival mechanics, it explores the emotional challenges of childhood through the eyes of Ting, a young girl blessed with the…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →#51 Paper Ghost Stories: Third eye open The whole style of this horror game was awesome, so unquie! I also love the little notes it throws in all the time to help people understand what being said and the culture.
positive · AI labelView post →Malaysian here! I love that the game explains the local slangs, and I exceptionally love how the mini game 7PM gave additional closure to the overall story as well. The story is very well-written and discusses a lot of the Asian cultural beliefs.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This is a beautiful game - captivating narrative, creative art direction and it provided a good insight into the Malaysian culture. Great work on storytelling and character development. I just wish it gained more attention. I will definitely support future Paper Ghost Stories projects.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A family drama where real life compete with the supernatural to find out which one is the most horrific. It was a great experience with gorgeous art and great writing. Overall a game made with a lot of love. You need to do some menial tasks between story beats, but they offer some insight of the developer's culture, which I appreciated. Very nice.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Loving the art style and story so far. This game needs more attention based on the love and care put into the art.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →depressing story
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This game has a distinct charm, and I had a fun time playing it. I love how it embraces its own identity with the paper cutout-style sprites—it really adds to the atmosphere. The fixed camera angle didn’t bother me, but I can see how it might turn some players off. Technically, it’s solid—I only ran into one bug in my six-hour playthrough, which is pretty good. The broken English and local slang were an interesting touch and fit the setting, but after a while, the constant glossary popping…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Twas good. Enjoyable game. I recommend it if you like storyline games and find SEA/Malaysian culture charming.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →really unique game and art style
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Came here for the scare, got the feels instead. Y'all really good at making us cry :') Thank you for making this beautiful game, really helps me to process some generational trauma right there. The stories is so well written and easy to follow through, I love the mini activities we can do. It's so nostalgic ♡ Great jobs to the devs, definitely will play again just for the feels 😭💕 I love how everything came together, I remember playing 7 PM Demo & seeing how the game developed.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
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