View source for White Day: A Labyrinth Named School (2015 video game)

{{for|the 2001 original game|White Day: A Labyrinth Named School}}
{{Short description|2015 survival horror video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = White Day: A Labyrinth Named School
| image = WhiteDay.jpg
| alt = White Day: A Labyrinth Named School
| developer = ROI Games, Gachyon Soft
| publisher = {{vgrelease|KOR|[[:KO:손노리|ROI Games]]|WW|ROI Games (Mobile)|[[North America|NA]]/[[Europe|EU]]|PQube}}
| director = {{ubl|Lee Won Sool|Lee Gyu-ho}}
| producer = Lee Won Sool
| platforms = {{ubl|[[Android (operating system)|Android]]|[[iOS]]|[[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]|[[PlayStation 4]]|[[PlayStation 5]]|[[Xbox One]]|[[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]]|[[Nintendo Switch|Switch]]}}
| engine = [[Unity (game engine)|Unity]]
| released = '''Android'''{{Video game release|KOR|November 19, 2015|WW|May 2, 2018}}
'''iOS'''{{Video game release|WW|December 17, 2015}}
'''Windows'''{{Video game release|WW|August 22, 2017}}
'''PlayStation 4'''{{Video game release|KOR|August 21, 2017|EU|August 24, 2017|NA|August 29, 2017}}
'''PlayStation 5'''{{Video game release|WW|September 7, 2022}}
'''Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S'''{{Video game release|WW|September 8, 2022}}
| genre = [[Survival horror]]
| modes = [[Single-player]]
| caption = North American PS4 cover
}}
'''''White Day: A Labyrinth Named School''''',{{efn|{{Korean|hangul=화이트데이 학교라는 이름의 미궁|rr=hwaiteudei haggyolaneun ileum-ui migung}})}} known on mobile platforms internationally as '''''White Day: The School''''',<ref>{{Cite web |title=White Day - The School - Apps on Google Play |url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kr.co.sonnori.whiteday.g&hl=en_US |access-date=2023-06-08 |website=play.google.com |language=en-US}}</ref> is a 2015 [[survival horror]] video game developed by [[:KO:손노리|ROI Games]] (also known as Sonnori) and Gachyon Soft. A remake of [[White Day: A Labyrinth Named School|the 2001 game of the same name]], it was initially released for [[Android (operating system)|Android]] in November 2015 in South Korea, and [[iOS]] on the following month. A port for [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] and [[PlayStation 4]] was released in August 2017, published by ROI Games in Korea, PQube in North America and Europe, and [[Arc System Works]] in Japan.<ref>{{cite web|title=Korean horror title White Day: A Labyrinth Named School set to get PS4 release|url=http://crashlanded.co.uk/white-day-a-labyrinth-named-school-release-date.php|publisher=Crash Landed|date=May 4, 2017|accessdate=July 19, 2017|archive-date=November 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111185858/https://www.crashlanded.co.uk/white-day-a-labyrinth-named-school-release-date.php|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Set in South Korea in 2001, players control Lee Hui-min, a new transfer student at a local high school who sneaks into the institution after hours to prepare a [[White Day]] surprise for his crush, Han So-young. Upon entry, Hui-min becomes trapped and begins to encounter the supernatural. With the assistance of other students, Hui-min traverses the building, hiding from foes and using item micro-management to solve puzzles to progress through the school, in an attempt to leave the building before dawn.

==Gameplay==
''White Day: A Labyrinth Named School'' is a [[survival horror]] video game played from the [[First-person (video games)|first-person perspective]]. Players explore the school collecting items to solve puzzles and advance the story, much in the vein of a classic [[adventure game]]. Micro-management of items is key, as the player has limited item slots and some objects may be important for progression despite not being used for hours from the collection point. As the game offers non-linear progression, various documents can be found throughout the school offering additional backstory and hints on how to advance. Likewise, the player can receive [[SMS|text messages]] through their cell phone which offers clues on plot progression.<ref name="GematsuLivePlayDemo">{{cite web| last=Romano|first=Sal|url = http://gematsu.com/2017/06/30-minutes-white-day-labyrinth-named-school-ps4-gameplay | title = 30 minutes of White Day: A Labyrinth Named School PS4 gameplay|work = Gematsu | date = June 20, 2017 | accessdate = July 19, 2017}}</ref> Holding certain objects in specific sections of the game can trigger unique events and encounters, such as fights with ghosts that otherwise would not have been prompted.<ref name="GematsuLivePlayDemo"/> Puzzle solutions, such as combinations for locked safes, are randomized on each playthrough.<ref name="Gematsu Announcement">{{cite web| last=Romano|first=Sal|url = http://gematsu.com/2017/05/white-day-labyrinth-named-school-ps4-pc-coming-west-august | title = White Day: A Labyrinth Named School for PS4, PC coming west in August|work = Gematsu | date = May 3, 2017 | accessdate = July 19, 2017}}</ref> This encompasses a large portion of the gameplay; searching for items and solving puzzles.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

There are no weapons in the game, and thus the protagonist is unable to engage enemies in combat. Therefore, the player must hide from opponents, in a bid to stay alive. If damaged, healing items must be used to restore health, as the game does not feature [[Health (gaming)#Regenerating health|health regeneration]]. If health is depleted completely, the player must return to a prior save. Saving can only be accomplished at bulletin boards scattered throughout the school with the use of [[Marker pen|felt-tip pens]], which are limited and must be found around the academy, akin to ink ribbons from the original ''[[Resident Evil (1996 video game)|Resident Evil]]''. Though other characters throughout the title are fully voiced, the protagonist is never heard, and instead communicates with other persons through the use of player-input [[Dialog tree|dialogue options]]. Depending on what is said, conversations and in-game scenarios may change. The title features eight different endings, and the result achieved is dictated by these decisions made during conversations with [[Non-player character|story characters]].<ref name="Endings">{{cite web| last=Vincent|first=Brittany|url = http://twinfinite.net/2017/06/watch-30-terrifying-minutes-of-white-day-a-labyrinth-named-school-footage/ | title = Watch 30 Terrifying Minutes of White Day: A Labyrinth Named School Footage |work = Twinfinite | date = June 21, 2017 | accessdate = July 19, 2017}}</ref> Similarly, the difficulty selected when starting a new playthrough affects gameplay. Easier difficulties offer more items, progression hints and less paranormal encounters, whilst the harder ones include fewer items and hints, more difficult encounters, exclusive enemies and more frequent scares.<ref name="Gematsu Announcement"/> On hard and above for example, the player's phone has no signal, thus eliminating the aforementioned text message clues.<ref name="GematsuLivePlayDemo"/>

==Synopsis==
In [[East Asia]], an observation known as [[White Day]] falls one month after [[Valentine's Day]]. In the region, women present men with chocolate on Valentine's Day, usually as an expression of affection, a reverse of the Western tradition which has boys offering gifts to girls. One month following Valentine's Day, on March 14, the men return the favour to the girls that gifted them chocolates, which is known as white day.<ref name="uh">{{cite web | url=http://www.crosscurrents.hawaii.edu/content.aspx?lang=eng&site=japan&theme=cal&subtheme=CULTURHOL&unit=JCAL018 | title=White Day (March 14) | work=Cross Currents | publisher=[[University of Hawaii]] | accessdate=July 19, 2017}}</ref> The game takes place on the eve of White Day in 2001 and in [[South Korea]], it follows protagonist Lee Hui-min, a newly transferred student who sneaks into his new [[high school]], Yeondu High School, to leave his crush, Han So-young, some sweets and return her diary, which he found earlier that day on the school grounds.<ref name="GematsuLivePlayDemo"/> Upon entering the building, he becomes trapped inside the facility and encounters other students, including So-young. In his attempt to escape the school, Hui-min is tormented by ghosts and possessed human staff members of the school, and begins to uncover the dark past of the institution, learning about several paranormal events that occurred between 1998 and present day.

Most of the story throughout the game is revealed in collectible documents found throughout the school, and the plot varies depending on which choices the player makes throughout the adventure.

==Development and release==
{{Imageframe|width=200|content=[[Image:White Day Janitor Screenshot 2001 original.png|200px|alt=An antagonist as seen in the 2001 original game.]]
[[Image:White Day Janitor Screenshot 2017 remake.png|200px|alt=The same antagonist, as seen in the 2015 remake (PlayStation 4 version)]]|caption=The graphical overhaul the team gave the original game can be seen in this comparison of antagonist Lee Bong-gu, pictured from the 2001 original (above) and the 2017 PlayStation 4 port.|align=left}}

The game's development began in March 2014, at that time a port of the original ''White Day'' for [[Android (operating system)|Android]] and [[iOS]] titled ''White Day: In Your Hands'', with the port being handled by Korean developers [[:KO:손노리|Sonnori]] and Gachyon Soft. This port would have more accurately represented the original game from the 2009 mobile version, titled ''White Day Mobile'' — which was the first remake of ''White Day'' and was released only in South Korea by [[Ntreev Soft]] who shared the copyright — and where most of the original game's 3D graphics were replaced with 2D still images due to hardware limitations. However, as development continued, the team's additions to the original game, which included new story segments, improved graphics and cut content from the 2001 build led to the project being re-revealed as a remake in January 2015, with development being switched over to a new studio, ROI Games.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}} Lee Won-Sool, the former CEO of Sonnori, who developed the original title, returned as director and producer of the remake.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://biz.heraldcorp.com/article/717160 |title= 아이지에이웍스, '스타웍스' 통해 '화이트데이 모바일'에 투자 |work=[[Herald Business]] |date= November 13, 2015 |access-date= January 15, 2025 }}</ref>

On November 19 of that year, the completed Android game was released to the T-Store, Korea's equivalent to the [[Google Play Store]], with the iOS version coming in the following weeks.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.tstore.co.kr/userpoc/game/view?pid=0000694997 | title = White Day: A Labyrinth Named School | publisher = T-Store | date = November 19, 2015 | accessdate = July 19, 2017 | language = Korean}}</ref> A few months later, an English language version was made available for international markets, under the name ''The School: White Day.''<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/iPad/White+Day/news.asp?c=69362 | title = Horror fans get in here: Korea's cult game White Day is now available on iOS and Android |work = Pocket Gamer UK | publisher = Steel Media | date = March 11, 2016 | accessdate = July 19, 2017}}</ref> English language voice actors include [[Erica Schroeder]], [[Sarah Natochenny]], [[Jason Griffith]], [[Tom Wayland]] and [[Kate Bristol]], who collectively have played roles in the [[Sonic the Hedgehog]] and [[Pokémon]] franchises.<ref>{{cite web| last=|first=|url = http://www.pcgamer.com/white-day-returns-unimaginable-horror-set-in-school/ | title = White Day returns: unimaginable horror set in school|work = PC Gamer | publisher =  Future plc | date = March 17, 2016 | accessdate = July 19, 2017}}</ref> All mobile versions were self-published by ROI Games.

At a November 2015 [[Sony Interactive Entertainment|SCEK]] press conference in South Korea, it was announced that ''White Day'' would be releasing domestically on [[PlayStation 4]] for the then upcoming  [[PlayStation VR]].<ref>{{cite web| last=Gordon|first=Rob|url = https://gamerant.com/white-day-playstation-vr-517/ | title = Korean Horror Meets PlayStation VR in White Day |work = Game Rant | publisher = Warp 10 | date = November 3, 2015 | accessdate = July 19, 2017}}</ref> However, on May 10, 2016, at SCEK's PlayStation Developer Conference 2016, the developers announced that it would be difficult to fit existing scenarios into VR play, so they announced a new VR title with changed scenarios, titled ''White Day: Swan Song''.<ref name="White Day: Swan Song Announcement">{{cite web|title=White Day VR 'White Day: Swan Song' information disclosed!|url=http://www.thisisgame.com/webzine/main/nboard/225/?n=61939|website=This is Game.com| date = May 10, 2016|accessdate=24 July 2017| language = Korean}}</ref> On April 18, 2016, a [[Steam (service)|Steam Greenlight]] posting confirmed the existence of a PC version.<ref name="Greenlight">{{cite web| last=Romano|first=Sal|url = http://gematsu.com/2016/04/white-day-remake-added-steam-greenlight | title = White Day remake added to Steam Greenlight |work = Gematsu | date = April 20, 2016 | accessdate = July 26, 2017}}</ref> Seven months later, during the annual South Korean trade show [[G-Star]], it was announced that White Day would be releasing on PlayStation 4 as well as PC with new information about a new female character called Yoo Ji-Min and a new ending collection, with the release date being set for March 14, 2017.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}} The release date would later be postponed in order for the game to have simultaneous worldwide release.<ref name="Release postponed Notice">{{cite web|title='White Day' PS4 / PC ver release postponed Notice|url=https://www.facebook.com/whiteday2015/photos/a.1575483136061167.1073741830.1560202700922544/1836278159981662/?type=3|website=Official Facebook Page| date = February 26, 2017 | accessdate = July 24, 2017 | language = Korean}}</ref>

On May 3, 2017, it was announced via a post on the European PlayStation Blog that the title would be receiving an international publication in August, 2017, with British publisher PQube handling the translation and distribution in North America and Europe.<ref>{{cite web| last=Hsiao|first=Bryce|url = https://blog.eu.playstation.com/2017/05/03/cult-survival-horror-white-day-a-labyrinth-named-school-is-coming-to-ps4/ | title = Cult survival horror White Day: A Labyrinth Named School is coming to PS4|work = PlayStation.Blog | publisher = Sony | date = May 3, 2017 | accessdate = July 19, 2017}}</ref> Additionally, it was confirmed the game would remain a PlayStation-console exclusive. These new versions would feature improved graphics and audio, reworked mechanics, additional languages and the inclusion of the previously announced new story segments through character, Yoo Ji-min.<ref>{{cite web| last=Patiño|first=Martin|url = http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2017/05/03/white-day-ps4-a-labyrinth-named-school-remake-is-a-ps4-console-exclusive/ | title = White Day: A Labyrinth Named School Remake Announced, Will be a PS4 Console Exclusive|work = PlayStation Lifestyle | publisher = Crave Online | date = May 3, 2017 | accessdate = July 19, 2017}}</ref> PQube initially announced that the game would release across both platforms on August 1 in North America and August 4 in Europe,<ref>{{cite web |last =  |first =  |url = http://pqube.co.uk/games/white-day-a-labyrinth-named-school-release-date-revealed/ |title = White Day: A Labyrinth Named School Release Date Revealed! |work = PQube |date = June 2, 2017 |accessdate = July 19, 2017 |archive-date = January 22, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180122181659/http://pqube.co.uk/games/white-day-a-labyrinth-named-school-release-date-revealed/ |url-status = dead }}</ref> however a three-week delay to the worldwide Steam release caused the PlayStation version to be pushed back to August 22 in North America and August 25 in Europe, in a bid to have the two versions release simultaneously.<ref>{{cite web |last =  |first =  |url = http://pqube.co.uk/games/white-day-a-labyrinth-named-school-steam-release-date-unveiled/ |title = White Day: A Labyrinth Named School Steam Release Date Unveiled |work = PQube |date = June 23, 2017 |accessdate = July 19, 2017 |archive-date = December 13, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171213202659/http://pqube.co.uk/games/white-day-a-labyrinth-named-school-steam-release-date-unveiled/ |url-status = dead }}</ref> The North American release was later pushed back a further week for undisclosed reasons. In Japan, a localization of the original mobile version was released on March 11, 2017. The PlayStation 4 edition was revealed to be published by [[Arc System Works]], of [[Blazblue]] and [[Guilty Gear]] fame. As a nod to this, pre-orders in the region includes access to costumes from the Blazblue series.<ref>{{cite web| last=Romano|first=Sal|url = http://gematsu.com/2017/07/white-day-ps4-early-purchases-include-blazblue-collaboration-costumes-japan | title = White Day for PS4 early purchases include BlazBlue collaboration costumes in Japan|work = gematsu | date = July 14, 2017 | accessdate = July 19, 2017}}</ref> Unlike in other territories, the Japanese version has characters renamed and designed with Japanese names and school uniforms, in order to have the title replicate a Japanese setting.<ref name="JapanChange">{{cite web|title=は，主人公の行動が女の子の運命を決める。開発元CEOへのインタビューやデモ版のインプレッションを掲載|url=http://www.4gamer.net/games/342/G034273/20161120008/|work = 4Gamer| date = November 20, 2016 | accessdate = July 26, 2017| language = Japanese}}</ref>

Physical copies for the PlayStation 4 were made available through various online retailers in the United Kingdom, while limited to [[Amazon.com]] and videogamesplus.ca in the United States and Canada, respectively. Those who pre-ordered the title in Canada and the British retailer [[Game (retailer)|GAME]] received a complementary soundtrack CD.<ref>{{cite web| last=|first=|url = https://twitter.com/PQubeGames/status/874293636250423296 | title = PQube on Twitter|work = PQube | publisher = Twitter | date = June 12, 2017 | accessdate = July 19, 2017}}</ref> ''White Day'' launched at a budgeted price of [[Pound sterling|£]]29.99 in the UK, [[United States dollar|USD$]]29.99 in the United States, [[Canadian dollar|CAD$]]39.99 in Canada, [[Yen|¥]]4800 in Japan and [[South Korean won|₩]]32000 in South Korea.<ref name="Official price in KOR">{{cite web|title=White Day PS4 ™ version will be officially released on August 2 at KRW 32,000|url=https://www.facebook.com/whiteday2015/posts/1896108323998645|work = White Day Official Facebook Page| date = June 1, 2017 | accessdate = July 24, 2017| language = Korean}}</ref>

As of September 3, 2017, two patches have been released for the PlayStation 4 and Windows version of the game. These updates corrected balancing issues with the in-game janitors (which most critics had cited as too difficult) and various other technical fixes. An enhanced version with over 30 costumes originally released as [[downloadable content]] was released for [[Nintendo Switch]], [[PlayStation 5]], [[Xbox One]], and [[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]] on September 8, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-01 |title=White Day: A Labyrinth Named School for PS5, Xbox Series, and Switch launches September 8 |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2022/08/white-day-a-labyrinth-named-school-for-ps5-xbox-series-and-switch-launches-september-8 |access-date=2022-08-03 |website=Gematsu |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| MC = PS4: 67/100<ref name="MC_PS4">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/white-day-a-labyrinth-named-school/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |title=White Day: A Labyrinth Named School for PlayStation 4 Reviews |work=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |accessdate=September 4, 2016}}</ref>
| Destruct = 6.5/10<ref name="Destruct">{{cite web |url=https://www.destructoid.com/review-white-day-a-labyrinth-named-school-455802.phtml |title=Review: White Day: A Labyrinth Named School|website=[[Destructoid]] |date= August 22, 2017 |accessdate=September 4, 2017}}</ref>
}}

''White Day: A Labyrinth Named School'' received mixed reviews from critics on PlayStation 4 according to aggregate review website [[Metacritic]].<ref name="MC_PS4" /> Praise was generally given to the setting, puzzles, and horror aspects. Reviewers also favourably compared the title to classic horror games from the [[Sixth generation of video game consoles|PlayStation 2 era]].{{citation needed|date=March 2020}} Conversely, criticism was given to the difficulty and frequency of the janitors and ghosts that appeared throughout the game, which critics said were too overpowered and hindered exploration (the former of which later received a patch that reduced difficulty).{{citation needed|date=March 2020}} The cryptic nature of certain boss battles was also cited as an issue.{{citation needed|date=March 2020}}

Cory Arnold of ''[[Destructoid]]'', in a review of the PlayStation 4 version, praised the title's sound direction and clever puzzles, as well as the ghost encounters, calling them the best part of the adventure. However, Arnold echoed many other critics in his criticism of the janitors' difficulty level, while also knocking the character interactions and overall story. He concluded his review by scoring the game a 6.5/10.<ref name="Destruct"/>

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.whitedaygame.com}} (Mobile version)
* {{Official website|http://pqube.co.uk/whiteday/}} (Publisher – PQube)
* [http://www.facebook.com/whiteday2015/ Official Facebook Page] (in Korean)
* [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxDeE_09M1x0G_CwX0ewQ1g Developer's Official account]

[[Category:2015 video games]]
[[Category:Action-adventure games]]
[[Category:Android (operating system) games]]
[[Category:Arc System Works games]]
[[Category:Video games about ghosts]]
[[Category:High school-themed video games]]
[[Category:2010s horror video games]]
[[Category:IOS games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Switch games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 4 games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 5 games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:Video game remakes]]
[[Category:Video games developed in South Korea]]
[[Category:Video games set in 2001]]
[[Category:Video games set in South Korea]]
[[Category:Xbox One games]]
[[Category:Xbox Series X and Series S games]]
[[Category:PQube games]]
[[Category:Sonnori games]]