Feel is now called JU-ON: The Grudge, hits US near Halloween

By Stephany Nunneley

XSEED Games officially announced JU-ON: The Grudge today, and it’s scheduled for release in the US sometime in October.

Previously known to us as Feel, the Wii game is being toted as a “haunted house simulator” where instant scares are given priority over all other game aspects.

Using the Wii Remote as a flashlight, players explore haunted areas like an abandoned warehouse, a hospital, and a mannequin factory – proceeding forward even after being frightened and running away.

A second player can even take hold of another Wii Remote and push buttons to make in-game events happen immediately to the original player.

Choose that second player wisely then, we suggest.

Press release is posted below.

XSEED Games Announces JU-ON: The Grudge for Wii
New “Haunted House Simulator” To Offer Quick and Plentiful Scares

Torrance, Calif., (May 22, 2009) – XSEED Games today announced that JU-ON: The Grudge is in development for Wii and scheduled for release in North America in October, 2009. The title is inspired by the Japanese classic horror movie, “JU-ON”, on which the American release of the hit horror film “The Grudge” was based upon. JU-ON: The Grudge for Wii is a “Haunted House Simulator” where accessibility and instant scares are given priority over all other game aspects, with the original creator of the movie, Takashi Shimizu, serving as a creative consultant to game development.

It is said that when a person dies with a deep and burning grudge, a curse is born. When an average housewife in Nerima, Japan, was murdered in a grisly fashion, it gave rise to a curse so powerful that it threatens to kill at a pace thought unimaginable before.

The curse manifests on those who encounter the curse by any means, such as entering the house or being in contact with somebody who was already cursed. Once Erika Yamada is exposed to the curse while searching for her dog in an abandoned warehouse, the entire Yamada family is put in grave danger as soon as she reunites with them at home. They must now face their individual challenges alone, and only by overcoming the curse together will their family truly be free again.

”Ever since I first heard about this unique concept, this is a game that I’ve been looking forward to,” said Jun Iwasaki, President of XSEED Games. “JU-ON: The Grudge makes quick scares accessible to anyone with a Wii, players can even hand the Wii Remote to their mother and enjoy watching her play and get scared.”

Using the Wii Remote as a flashlight, JU-ON: The Grudge has players move forward with the touch of a button and explore haunted areas such as an abandoned warehouse, a dimly-lit hospital, and a mannequin factory. Much like a haunted house, the player must proceed forward even after being frightened and running away from the initial threat. As much fun as it is to get scared, sometimes it’s even more fun to watch others play to observe their reactions. For instant gratification, grab a second Wii Remote and push buttons to make in-game events happen immediately to make the player jump and hate you forever.

XSEED Games partnered with AQ Interactive to secure the North American rights to publish and distribute JU-ON: The Grudge. The title is being developed by Feelplus and will be available October 2009 exclusively for Wii.