《夕鬼 零 -Yuoni: 崛起-》（Yuoni: Rises）是由日本獨立開發團隊 Tricore Inc. 所打造的一款驚悚視覺小說作品。與續作 Yuoni 偏向生存恐怖與動作玩法不同，本作更加著重於劇情敘述與沉浸式的視覺體驗。

故事背景設定在1990年代中期的日本，那是一個網路尚未普及、手機仍不常見的年代。劇情圍繞兩名小學生——修司與愛（Ai），兩人各自背負著來自家庭的壓力與煩惱，卻在偶然之下被捲入與都市傳說「夕鬼」相關的恐怖事件之中。作品透過懷舊的日本鄉間氛圍，結合心理層面的恐懼描寫，細膩刻畫出孩童內心的孤獨、不安與壓抑。

在遊戲形式上，採用高度沉浸的視覺小說設計。彷彿坐在桌前翻閱一本素描本，透過按鍵推進文字劇情，同時觀察場景的細微變化。雖然在 Nintendo Switch 等平台上並非真正的VR遊戲，但畫面模擬出近似360度的空間感。隨著劇情推進，周圍環境會出現異樣變化，例如人影閃現、場景扭曲或逐漸腐化，營造出強烈的不安與壓迫感。

整體操作相當簡單，主要以閱讀與少量選擇為核心，互動性較低，因此特別適合喜歡劇情導向與恐怖小說氛圍的玩家。

在評價方面，因其獨特的演出手法而受到關注。像是 IGN Japan 等媒體便讚賞其運鏡方式與劇本品質，成功塑造出帶有「黃昏美學」的恐怖氛圍。不過整體評價呈現兩極化：一方面，其氣氛營造與故事深度備受肯定；另一方面，也有玩家認為遊戲時數偏短（約2至4小時），且互動性有限，更接近動態繪本而非傳統遊戲。

此外，其VR版本也曾在 台北國際電玩展 中獲得「最佳VR遊戲」提名，顯示其在沉浸式體驗上的創新表現。

整體而言，《夕鬼 零 -Yuoni: 崛起-》是一款篇幅不長卻氣氛濃厚的敘事型恐怖作品。它不僅能作為獨立故事體驗，也為後續的《夕鬼》鋪陳出更加陰暗且令人不安的世界觀。

Yuoni: Rises (Japanese title: 夕鬼 零 -Yuoni: 崛起-) is a horror visual novel developed by the Japanese indie studio Tricore Inc.. Unlike its sequel Yuoni, which focuses on survival horror gameplay, this title emphasizes storytelling and immersive presentation.

Set in mid-1990s Japan—an era before widespread internet access and smartphones—the story follows two elementary school children, Shuji and Ai, both struggling with difficult family situations. Their lives take a dark turn when they become entangled in a terrifying urban legend known as “Yuoni.” The narrative blends nostalgic rural Japanese scenery with psychological horror, exploring themes of loneliness, childhood trauma, and fear.

Gameplay is designed as an immersive visual novel experience. Players progress through the story as if flipping through a sketchbook placed in front of them, advancing text while observing subtle environmental changes. Although not a true VR title on platforms like the Nintendo Switch, the game simulates a 360-degree panoramic perspective, enhancing immersion. As the story unfolds, the environment may distort—shadows flicker, figures appear briefly, and surroundings decay—creating an unsettling atmosphere.

Interaction is minimal, focusing mainly on reading and occasional choices, making it particularly suitable for players who enjoy narrative-driven horror rather than action-heavy gameplay.

Critically, Yuoni: Rises has been recognized for its unique approach to horror presentation. Reviewers, including IGN Japan, have praised its cinematic perspective and strong writing, which effectively create a distinct “twilight horror” aesthetic. However, reception has been somewhat divided: while many appreciate its atmosphere, emotional depth, and affordable price, others note its short playtime (around 2–4 hours) and limited interactivity, describing it as closer to an interactive storybook than a traditional game.

The VR version on PC platforms has also received industry recognition, including a nomination for “Best VR Game” at the Taipei Game Show.

Overall, Yuoni: Rises offers a compact yet haunting narrative experience, serving as both a standalone story and a thematic prelude to the darker, more action-oriented world of Yuoni.