《8號出口》（日文名稱「8番出口」／英文名《Exit 8》）是由日本獨立開發者KOTAKE CREATE所製作的短篇心理驚悚遊戲，於2023年11月上架Steam平台。雖然體量小巧，但因其極具特色的「錯覺辨識」玩法與令人不安的氛圍設計迅速引起話題，尤其在社群平台與遊戲實況圈中引發廣泛關注，更在2024年確認改編為電影作品，2025年8月29日在日本上映，成為少數由獨立短篇遊戲成功跨足影視的案例。

故事與背景設定非常簡約卻充滿詮釋空間。主角被困在無止盡地下通道中，目的只有一個——成功離開並找到「正確的第八個出口」。在此過程中，需反覆穿越幾乎相同的隧道場景，觀察周遭是否出現「異常」。這些異常可能是微妙的光影變化、一張錯誤的廣告海報、無法打開的門，甚至是視覺上難以察覺的細節錯誤。只要發現任何不對勁的地方，就必須立即折返；若誤判「正常」為異常，或忽略真實異常，將導致遊戲重新開始。

這種玩法讓《8號出口》被歸類為「異常辨識型」心理恐怖遊戲的一員，與類似作品如《I'm on Observation Duty》形成一種精神上的承襲。但與傳統的Jump scare或劇情導向驚悚不同，完全仰賴環境觀察與細節記憶的考驗，讓人在冷靜沉默的場景中，逐漸被不安與焦躁感吞噬。搭配簡約的畫面風格與反覆性的空間設計，這種冷調的詭異感被極大化，使人不自覺地進入「無限重複的地獄」之中。往往在重複的行走與觀察中，逐漸產生對現實感的懷疑，這正是遊戲企圖營造的心理困境。

操作方面非常簡單，僅需以鍵盤與滑鼠進行基本行走與視角控制。無需對話、戰鬥或解謎，全部的遊戲性都建立在「觀察力」與「記憶力」之上，這也讓它成為極具沉浸感的體驗型作品。不少玩家指出，進行到後期時，明知異常已經出現卻無法具體指出位置，是精神上的焦慮煎熬，而這正是遊戲的魅力所在。

從市場評價來看，《8號出口》在Steam上獲得壓倒性的正面評價，不僅因為售價低廉、內容精簡且高完成度，還因其成功用最小的設計實現心理驚悚的最大效果。實況主與VTuber界的強力推廣也讓它在短時間內爆紅。許多玩家表示，雖然流程約在30分鐘至1小時之間，但那種重複與懷疑自身觀察力的壓迫感，甚至比一般恐怖遊戲更令人不安。

而電影版的開發也讓這部作品受到更多矚目。改編權由日本本土影視公司取得，據報將保留遊戲的精神主軸與極簡恐懼感，並以心理懸疑的手法延伸劇情，探索人類面對日常異常時的恐懼心理。這也使《8號出口》從小品遊戲躍升為文化現象，成為日本當代都市恐懼美學的代表之一。

總結來說，《8號出口》是極具創意與心理深度的短篇驚悚遊戲，以最簡單的操作和最重複的場景，創造出令人無法忽視的恐懼感，並打破獨立遊戲只能「輕量化」的刻板印象。對於喜歡潛意識恐怖、極簡敘事與環境詮釋遊戲的玩家來說，不只是值得一玩，更是難忘的精神旅程。

“Exit 8” (Japanese title: 「8番出口」) is a short psychological horror game developed by Japanese indie creator KOTAKE CREATE, released on Steam in November 2023. Despite its modest scope, the game quickly went viral thanks to its unique "anomaly detection" gameplay and unsettling atmosphere. It garnered significant attention on social media and among livestreamers, eventually being adapted into a feature film scheduled for release in Japan on August 29, 2025—an impressive achievement for a small indie game that successfully crossed into the world of cinema.

The story and setting of Exit 8 are deliberately minimalist, yet open to rich interpretation. The protagonist finds themselves trapped in an endless underground passage. Their sole objective is to escape by correctly identifying and exiting through the true “eighth exit.” Along the way, players repeatedly walk through nearly identical tunnel environments, scanning their surroundings for any signs of anomalies. These anomalies could include subtle lighting changes, a misplaced poster, an inoperative door, or small visual inconsistencies that are easy to miss. If an anomaly is detected, the player must turn back immediately; failing to notice a true anomaly or incorrectly assuming something is amiss causes the game to reset.

This distinctive mechanic places Exit 8 firmly within the “anomaly recognition” subgenre of psychological horror, sharing a spiritual lineage with titles like I’m on Observation Duty. However, unlike traditional horror games that rely on jump scares or narrative twists, Exit 8 challenges players through acute environmental awareness and memory. The game’s quiet, repetitious environments gradually erode the player’s sense of security, building a slow-burning sense of anxiety and paranoia. Its minimalist visuals and recursive level design amplify this eerie dissonance, creating a claustrophobic, looping hell that makes players question what is real. This psychological unease is a central theme of the game.

Gameplay is remarkably simple. Players navigate with a keyboard and mouse, using only basic movement and camera controls. There are no conversations, combat, or puzzles—every gameplay element hinges solely on observation and memory. This streamlined design enhances immersion and focuses the player's attention entirely on their environment. Many players report that the latter part of the game becomes particularly stressful, as the realization that an anomaly exists—without being able to identify it—leads to an intense mental strain. That tension is precisely where the game’s brilliance lies.

From a commercial and critical standpoint, Exit 8 received overwhelmingly positive reviews on Steam. Its low price, compact yet polished design, and maximal psychological impact from minimal elements were widely praised. The game’s meteoric rise was also fueled by prominent coverage from streamers and VTubers, turning it into a viral sensation. Many players noted that while the entire experience only takes 30 minutes to an hour, the pressure of repeated observation and second-guessing their own perception of reality was more disturbing than many traditional horror titles.

The film adaptation has further elevated the game’s profile. A Japanese production studio acquired the rights and is reportedly preserving the core themes of the game—its minimalist horror and psychological tension—while expanding the narrative through a suspense-driven lens. The film aims to explore the fear of mundane abnormalities in everyday life, turning Exit 8 into a full-fledged cultural phenomenon and a representative example of contemporary Japanese urban horror aesthetics.

In conclusion, Exit 8 is a deeply creative and psychologically resonant short horror game. Through the simplest of mechanics and the most repetitive of settings, it generates a uniquely immersive and memorable sense of dread. It defies the stereotype that indie games are necessarily “lightweight,” proving instead that less can truly be more. For players drawn to subconscious horror, minimal storytelling, and environmental interpretation, Exit 8 offers more than just a play session—it’s a haunting mental journey.