What Is Narinig Mo Ba?
Narinig Mo Ba? (roughly “Did you hear?”) is a short, story-driven psychological horror game that looks and plays like a cozy sari-sari store simulator. You stand behind the counter of a neighborhood Filipino store, greet regulars, find the items they want, check prices, and give correct change while the conversations around you slowly turn unsettling.
Created by a student team for Game Jam Los Baños 2026, the game uses hand-drawn 2D art, everyday store routines, and neighborhood gossip to build tension instead of jump scares or combat. Most sessions last under an hour and unfold across several in-game days.
The title phrase is a common Filipino way to start gossip. In the game, that ordinary small talk becomes the main way the neighborhood’s secrets surface.
How the Game Works
Gameplay mixes simple store simulation with a visual-novel-style story.
Core elements include:
- Sari-sari store counter: Customers arrive one at a time and request specific products.
- Item hunting: Locate the right goods on shelves, in sachets, or in the fridge area.
- Price checking and change: Right-click or inspect items for prices, then calculate and return the correct bills and coins.
- Dialogue and gossip: Customers chat about neighbors, rumors, and events. These lines carry the plot.
- Multi-day structure: The story advances across several shifts, with new customers and details appearing each day.
There is no combat, inventory management beyond the immediate order, or traditional puzzle solving. The main skill is paying attention while handling the routine transactions.
How to Play
The game runs in the browser on itch.io and supports mouse (and now mobile) controls.
Step 1: Open the Store
Visit the official itch.io page and run the HTML5 version. You start behind the counter of the sari-sari store.
Step 2: Take a Customer’s Order
Read what the customer wants. Early orders serve as a tutorial—for example, fetching a stick of coffee and learning the basic controls.
Step 3: Find and Check the Items
Click to pick up products from the shelves. Right-click or hold to check the price. Place the correct items on the counter.
Step 4: Handle Payment and Change
The customer pays with cash. Use the on-screen calculator if needed, then select the right combination of bills and coins to return as change. Drag or click the money onto the counter.
Step 5: Listen and Continue
Talk through the dialogue options. Do not skip the small talk—names, debts, and conflicting stories are how the larger neighborhood mystery unfolds. Finish the day and return for the next shift until the story concludes.
Tips for Playing
- Read every conversation. The store tasks stay simple; the story lives in the gossip and repeated character details.
- Double-check change. The math for exact change is one of the few places players commonly stumble.
- Watch for recurring names and contradictions. Details mentioned early often gain new meaning later.
- Expect a short experience. The game is designed as a compact narrative rather than a long simulation.
Who It’s For
Narinig Mo Ba? suits players who like atmospheric story games, psychological horror that relies on implication rather than scares, or short indie titles with a strong sense of place. Familiarity with Filipino neighborhood culture adds flavor, but the core story is understandable without it. It is less ideal for anyone seeking action, long progression, or pure management challenges.
Conclusion
Narinig Mo Ba? turns the everyday rhythm of a sari-sari store into the frame for a quiet, dialogue-driven horror story. The contrast between cozy routine and unsettling neighborhood secrets is the main appeal, and the short length makes it easy to finish in one sitting.
If you enjoy narrative games that hide their tension inside ordinary tasks, open the official itch.io page and run a shift behind the counter.