The Bizarre, Budget Horror Game That Never Left Japan

The Tairyou Jigoku (aka The Overwhelming Hell) is a Japan-exclusive survival horror game in the SIMPLE2000 series. It is likely one of the lowest budget survival horror games on the PS2, but has a lot to love about it! Join me as I talk about this obscure title... Simple 2000 Series Vol. 113: The Tairyou Jigoku !
Thanks to ‪@tangomushi‬ for the translations! You can watch her videos here: / @tangomushi
And thank you to ThePepperRoni (twitter) for the voiceover mixing, ‪@hotcyder‬ for the thumbnail and @AdamLane4 for script proofing!
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Music Used:
pastebin.com/AMntJn0c
Retrotink 5x Pro and NTSC-J PS2 used for footage recording.
#TheOverwhelmingHell #TheTairyouJigoku

[@eurothug4000]

If you'd like to support me, you can do so via Nebula using my link: go.nebula.tv/eurothug4000 You can get early access to vids AND watch loads of other amazing creators, as well as Nebula exclusives!

[@pimscrypt]

Going through literal hell just to get your phone back might be the most relatable plot of any survival horror game.

[@Zanji1234]

she must be thinking "hopefully that rabbit doesn't read my messages, or look at my pictures... and OMG I have this embarassing video also on my phone!!!!"

[@CitrusPeppercorn]

She really should have got the extended warranty.

[@lozey8317]

Imagine going through literally Hell and being scared enough by the fact you missed a call from your parents, that you chastise the literal demon in front of you 😂 "OMG do you even know what you did?!?! She's going to be so mad at me you Muppet!?!?"

[@leroyjenkins1249]

Going into school JUST for your phone, is such a teen-stupidity you could believe it. And the follow-up "fuck, he could break it" lmao

[@amspook]

@@lozey8317 Dude, 37 missed call from Mom is hell lot scarier than whatever horror out there

[@Esmeyippie]

The fact sis went through all this for HER PHONE is the goofiest and realest storyline to ever exist within' a game,like me too honestly😭

[@AvalancheReviews]

I feel like there's so much untapped gold in that simple 2000 series.

[@eurothug4000]

definitely! just seeing some of the wild titles they have while I was researching was enough to make me wanna try out a bunch!

[@ultra_kapiszon]

oh hey its the resident evil clone guy

[@DebugMenu]

in PAL territory we got quite a few localised. I think I own all of them. They're almost all absolutely terrible lol

[@JuanjoPP]

Earth Defense Force started as a simple 2000 game IIRC

[@starscythe2099]

@@JuanjoPPEDF is a gem.

[@snowballeffect7812]

This kind of reminds me how important video games and electronic media conservation efforts are. I really hope these older titles remain playable and accessible into the far future. It'd be a shame to lose any of it, even if it wasn't the highest quality or effort material produced. I think your videos go a very long way to help the conservation efforts. Thank you!

[@Achromatic_0]

there are a ton of games for really old systems that are actually really good but unfortunately have a very small following, or none at all. its so cool to dig through all of them and possibly find a hidden gem (its also really cool to see how devs got around hardware limitations back then). thats why i love videos like these so much.

[@fuzzy7644]

It's kind of why emulation is so important. Games like these would be completly lost if it wasn't for file sharing and let's face it piracy. Piracy is bad in short term for businesses sure, but long term it's what stops a game from diappearing forever.

[@fuzzy7644]

@@ifu138 I remember it being way worse in the past I feel. Emulation for a while felt like a dirty word for some. I do sometimes worry about companies (cough, cough nintendo, cough) forcing hosting sites for these games to shut down is gonna end with millions of obscure games disappearing some day. Which is why a video like this is good. The more spotlight these games get the more likely they will be remembered in the future.

[@palchristianandersen9086]

@@fuzzy7644 Most of the time the original creators aren't going to see a dime out of the sale of an old classic on modern e-shops anyway. It's just passive income for the CEO of whatever company currently holds the rights to the IP. Some companies barely put a modicum of effort into preserving their legacy games compared to the preservation scene. The e-shops are littered with repackaged 10+ yo mobile ports of classic snes and psx games, sometimes with the bugs from those old ports still present.

[@CT63648]

This game not coming overseas was such a missed opportunity, because it could have easily been renamed to "OverHELLming"

[@obesekaren]

👎🏽👎🏽👎🏽

[@Bigrico52]

​@@obesekaren😂😂😂😂😂

[@PunchFaceChamp9]

I love the way she dives to catch the rabbit falling flat on her face. And the way she stomps rats. She bad fr, need a modern sequel 😌

[@chadwickjdillon]

Something about stomping the bugs makes me upset. Not that bugs are fren, but that stomping a foot long cockroach would be so gross I can't believe it. Ugh, they would keep moving? And the other bugs would go immediately eat it? Ick. Zowa zowa zowa.

[@TheDrugSong]

Just imagine having your feet stucked into the body of a giant cockroach that is still moving and trying to run. Now, find him a friend for your other foot and let's terrorize your opponents at a roller derby lol For real, imagine climbing buildings that way haha

[@planescaped]

The exoskeleton scaled up would likely be quite springy, so you'd need to really jump on it, and the thing would likely thrash and make noises. Zowa indeed.

[@jessicaclakley3691]

Oh this got icky quicky lol but I’m gonna have the image of building scaling roach shoes in my brain for a while

[@Goldenkitten1]

@@TheDrugSong I now know how the protagonist is going to win in my next book. The Villain: "You have finally come my mortal foe! Prepare to - ....wait, what are those?" Hero: "Giant roaches from the first sewer level! Do you like them?!" The Villain: *Shirks away in disgust* "ZOWA ZOWA ZOWA!" *Runs away* The Hero: "Haha! Victory at last, right boys?!" *Stomps foot, SQUELCH*

[@niwatorimeat]

Unlockable dialects is the strangest thing lol. More games need this.

[@tessfabled4115]

Imagine a Glaswegian accent DLC, without subtitles....

[@alexeyeliseev6322]

Imagine a DLC for a Yakuza game that lets you change accents/dialects of characters, like stripping Majima of his Kansai accent. Would that be blessed or cursed?

[@yoshietakayama]

I'm Japanese and I've never heard of this game ! Good video,thank you ! Subscribed ! ! ! I watch English language channels to learn English on free-time,I also study English but videos that are in English and interesting to me,helps me learn English too aside from studying it in school !

[@corbanekarel3692]

I'm also an English learner. I've had mandatory lessons for years, but I'd say 50% of how I learned is the Internet and video-games. It allows putting what you're learning to practice and have fun doing it on top :)

[@ilaya4183]

OSAKA!!!!!!

[@maraganger]

God, there's just something about the game's vibe that hits the right spot. That middle gorund between genius, low budget and straight out of this world.

[@themissionslayer]

The PS2 has a specific vibe, no matter the game genre. Maybe this is nostalgia talking, but no other console has made me feel the way the PS2 did. Great work as always! Love learning about these obscure titles.

[@giannisc.5254]

I completely agree, PS2 is my favorite console (although I grew up with a PS1). I've been trying to pinpoint what makes PS2 games special for me. I think that on a macro level it's that companies were willing to risk more and that "middle self" games or even budget games like the 2000 series were acceptable releases from a business point of view. Instead we now have photorealistic graphics and safe choices (when it comes to AAA releases in the west, but the safe part applies to Japanese releases also). In regards to graphics, PS2 had that sweet spot of more than geometric shapes but still....easy to look at and nostalgic ? Good but not too good so devs had flexibility ? I don't make much sense I know, but maybe that's why PS2 games are special.

[@StyleshStorm]

It's not just you. Not even the PS1 era has this very special type of nostalgia from the PS2 era.

[@Powered1Buttercup]

Me with the psp

[@hyuuganatsume2621]

Same.. ps2 have so much variety of games genre and most console cant even beat

[@private6574]

it’s hard to describe, but i feel like the original dark souls captures that vibe a lot

[@Stuurminator]

The fact that (one ending notwithstanding) our survival horror threat is not death or imprisonment but "eww gross" is certainly refreshing.

[@Mc-DonaldsWifi]

Something about weird Japanese horror games are cosmic and fun. Like they somehow tap into a part of the mind that creates games like this and I love them.

[@nickgreene9456]

Really makes you think how many of these hidden gems there are waiting to be talked about

[@tangomushi]

If the PC release of Final Fantasy 16 doesn't come with an unlockable Geordie accent now I will be SORELY disappointed 😪 Another common thugger W video, well done!

[@TheBeird]

I love the PS2 vibe. It was advanced enough to introduce scale, but not so much as to invite you to continue using your imagination. Makes one even more involved.

[@KailynnKat]

Love the moment @12:48 where Erika looks back as you mention "the ominous orange horizon". It's cut perfectly as if she heard you talking, lol

[@anthonywheeler2082]

I love hearing about obscure horror games. A video about Escape From Bug Island sounds awesome. I always wanted to play it. Thor Highheels did a video on it like ten years ago or something! It should really be talked about more.

[@NutyRiver]

The aesthetics of this game are just so… aesthetic. I love it so much.

[@agustincammarota4595]

Haven't seen the video yet, but just came to say this channel is so underrated

[@snowballeffect7812]

I totally agree. I'm glad it's growing, but the rate seems unfairly slow considering the quality and consistency of Maria's uploads.

[@cabreezy4110]

I recently discovered Tangomushi's channel, and I'm so glad to see some of my favorite video game essayists teaming up to make amazing content. It's always a joy to come back here and see your perspective on games I've played many times in the past and games I may never even touch. Keep up the awesome work!

[@D9Valentine]

Holy crap, thank you so much for this video! Back in 2008 I was flicking through some old video game magazines, and skimmed over a brief write-up of this weirdly interesting looking game. For the last several years I've spent far too much time trying to track that game down (all I could remember was that it involved a schoolgirl and a bunch of giant bugs), but never managed to find anything...and then today this video randomly shows up in my recommendations! So thank you for helping me actually find this game after all these years!

[@DiegoReviews]

Been binging your channel. Absolutely love the cozy/creepy vibes you’ve curated here.

[@idlesenses1]

Great video. I def think we need to push for Scouse accents in all Resi games going forward

[@eurothug4000]

HONESTLY THOUGH it would be so good I'm not even kidding

[@passthehanky]

tango and thug uploading the same day? common girls W! but for real, it was fascinating to see such a budget title be so compelling! great vid :D

[@musicinmymind623]

So interesting how tango’s video was about Hungry Ghosts and thug brings it up here as well despite it being so obscure! Great minds think alike, truly Edit: I just saw that tango helped with the translations! I haven’t seen thug’s channel before but this is exactly the type of content I’m looking for on KZbin. Definite immediate sub

[@yungpm]

Everytime I see the word “thug” I think about the fucking thug shaker.

[@e.j271]

Cant thank you enough for this wonderful content. Means a lot to have a video essay that resonates with us.

[@Muntedbug]

This game looks amazing. Can't believe I've never heard of it. Japan really kept some of their best stuff to themselves. This is the first time I've seen your channel but curious to see if you've reviewed LSD Dream Simulator!

[@RudeCanine]

I love learning about niche games like this, thanks Maria!

[@almastidyatlov9641]

This has nothing to do with the video, but your merch-store is the most stylish site I've seen for ages!! Absolutely lovely.

[@praisetheoak]

Man, I miss this era of gaming so much. So experimental and bizarre.

[@marioagainsttheworld6248]

I love how crazy the premise of this game is, really hope you tackle more obscure games soon!❤

[@animegirlprincess]

Oh this is actually pretty interesting! You did wonderfully! I love videos like this about obscure games from old retro consoles.

[@pippop7284]

I really enjoyed this video! I would love to see more videos on these kinds of obscure janky horror games, they have such a charm!

[@princeapoopoo5787]

Found this video in my recommendations after watching Tangomushi's latest video, and not gonna lie, I laughed at noticing that she worked with you on the translations in this. Never heard of budget games before! Love to see more of these!

[@rokcetman6913]

Never would I ever have thought I'd watch so many bangers video game essay videos from a channel called eurothuggamer lmao, keep up the great work

[@Horrorzeit]

This was so amazing again 🎉 Just adore your channel :)

[@topooly]

Always enjoy hearing you talk about strange and unique games like this.

[@igoryanga]

Beautiful! Unique graphics, locations and a fine nostalgic feel to it. I would absolutely love to see more of such games reviewed by you! Thank you very much for what you do!

[@tysonlaplante3957]

very good video. great narration. didn't expect that with a channel name like eurothug XD

[@wurch5]

Excellent game, and great analysis. Thanks to show us games like that, and effort so much of your time for that!

[@Arbalesto7]

Amazing work, as always! Loved it

[@giannisc.5254]

This is the first video of yours I've seen and it was fun. Also, while I am familiar with the Simple 2000 series, I didn't know about this specific one so thanks for bringing it to my attention ! You got a new subscriber !

[@KDragneel18]

I would love more videos like these. I don't know nothing about these games and probably will never play them, so your vídeos are extremely interesting. Great vídeo as usual!

[@Royalhanburglar]

Gworl I would watch any video from you!!! Whatever you put effort into is always top notch

[@newbrowny]

Great video! And awesome music choices :)

[@martinauroraeikaiwa]

I've been living in Japan for over twenty years, and I remember seeing this title on the shelves back in the day. Although I did try a few titles in the 2000 series, I never picked this one up, unfortunately.

[@LordMarlle]

Thanks for this. I, too really appreciate smaller titles, as they often have less oversight which sometimes means more interesting ideas

[@IconicBoar097]

always a good day when you upload thanks for blessing us all this was such a strange yet interesting game and i would def love to see you cover others similar to it as well as escape from bug island!!!

[@SamWiGe]

Great video as always

[@KDragneel18]

Knowing how mad my father would get if I broke/lost my phone in school I totally get her decision to go through hell to recover the phone. XD

[@DanoLefourbe]

Just discovered the channel through this video. Good stuff! I'll have to check more.

[@ARaccoonplays]

Amazing find! And your voice is so soothing!

[@KSaran7]

Kudos for contributing to the conservation of hidden gems like this one ❤ Love these videos

[@ViktorErikFade]

There is some kind of value in games like this just being of the era. Even if it is not the best game you can make your own memories with the game most times I find

[@badtzmzo]

Fantastic video! Thanks for spreading awareness about this weird little game.

[@AStupidID]

Needed a new video like this today - thank you :).

[@BurstError]

wonderful review! looks pretty great for a "Simple" game, and that old website was super cool to see.

[@yoonvsaechao]

I like the added touch of a 4:3 aspect ratio to the video :D

[@jx4zntrkvwsn563]

Wait my jaw dropped at the boss music. That is actually such a freaking good theme. I want to play this now to hear the whole thing

[@RappingNinja]

Love this kind of look into horror games we’ve never had released in the west. Thanks for producing this - always excited to learn about games I didn’t even know existed!

[@kardokdelikaya9570]

I love it. Your videos are always good.

[@neverdissthepenguin]

It's always a good day when eurothug uploads :)

[@LegionIscariot]

The PS2 has some interesting Japanese horror games that really need remasters for current gen platforms.

[@vioectrolysis]

this game looks like a classic, thank you for the video! I will try to play this jewel as I love insects or insect-related designs for bosses

[@sxdbxys]

sea of stars and a new maria video? what a day! ✨

[@statesminds]

Great video! I would love you to do more japanese games that never got localized. Wish we got more games like this in west. I watch Tango too, you two are some my favorite youtubers

[@J_Pawsadas-PTSDEnjoyer]

first time viewer and honestly thought this was gonna be escape from bug island from the thumbnail, looking forward to whenever you can get to it

[@Craken1500000xx]

old games took so many risks. A forgotten lesson. Great video :)

[@thekillingjoke8982]

funny you mentioned Tangomushi, found her channel a few days ago. And thanks for bringing up these nice unknown games. This one looks like it would be indeed a good time. Very unique, how they utilized well known mechanics and play with things like hig/mid/low attacks and actually golfing enemies into oblivion. The game has lighthearted humor and i like it.

[@snowy2419]

Great video!!

[@chaeyeongLFG]

new eurothug vid AND a new tangomushi vid in the same day?? bless

[@kristoffer2250]

I still remember watching you since Death Stranding. So underrated

[@theSHELFables]

Awesome video. Between Tangomushi's Hungry Ghosts vid and this one I got to see 2 games I that ive been interested in for a while and havent had a chance to play due to language barrier. I'll def check this game out. I love the B movie vibe

[@OkamiWSDwarrior]

Ahhh I totally thought the same about the Shadow Of The Colossus reference during that scene!! Tysm for covering this game, I am a huge Japan horror nerd and I have never heard of this :D now we are gonna play and buy it haha.

[@hollow_specter2063]

New Maria video?? My day is made 🔥🔥

[@ThyMushroomMaster]

Girl, I love your content. Your voice is soothing and you don't sound like somebody that's just doing gaming videos for views. Please! Keep going ! Wish you all the best

[@KazeShikamaru]

Thanks for giving me an idea. I can add it to the list.

[@131]

i love the aesthetic of this game (and old japanese horror games in general) sooo much. there's just something about them that's so charming.

[@floydhead42]

I really like how liberally and unpredictably the game uses sprites for enemy mobs. Gives it a very uncanny vibe. Outstanding aesthetics here for the low budget!

[@ryanng5446]

I used to like looking through all the simple2000 covers and was always curious what this one played like. Funnily enough, i just started playing Escape from Bug Island the other day. So far I'm very tempted to emulate it and try rebinding all the motion controls since it's some of the most awkward wii controls i've ever had to use haha. It definitely has some charm though

[@tylosaurusrex101]

I did not expect to see a video about this game in my feed today. It's been something that I've always wanted to give a shit, and now that I have a modded PS2, I may have to add a copy to my collection (thankfully it's still pretty affordable). Great video!

[@wbl_unlimited]

Algo brought me here. This is a very interesting breakdown!

[@The4thSnake]

I remember the Conflict: Desert Storm games let you choose if your team were British or American. The characters stayed the same, but their accents changed.

[@anthonymoloney3671]

Thank you for the review, it was really good. I actually own this game as well as a number of other Simple 2000 Series games (mostly for PS2). I haven't played this one yet but I will soon.

[@joshuagraham2843]

this is the reason why these games exists, we never heard from it and did not know their existences extremely rare and underrated that we should dig up more missing games

[@solimanidrees6757]

Thanks I've been looking for her long time ago

[@dos_doodles]

I found out about the simple DL series when looking for horror games through the 3ds and while I cannot read Japanese and rely on translate from google to get the gist of things, I appreciate the simple DL series being talked about

[@KennyWgaming]

Nice video and interesting game :)

[@adamez5000]

finally a 4:3 vid i can watch on my crt lol. Awesome video!

[@mariotaz]

Gonna check some of these out

[@aperson6505]

On your last point, if you wanted to cover these weird oddities more in the future I (and I'm sure many others) would definitely be up for it!

[@przemysawzanko6700]

Interesting, thank you ❤

[@juststatedtheobvious9633]

It tracks how many enemies you used as weapons, but there's not one single way to reign over the armies of Hell?

[@Hannah_B.Nana_TheCute]

Okay, yeah I can relate to the idea that hell is EACTLY like that...

[@whatisnonsense]

Channel name is Eurothug4000. Didn’t expect this narrator voice

[@reikolupus136]

Hell being about Giant Creepy Bugs is the most terrifying version fo Hell I have ever seen. This is far worse than mere creepy demons and ghosts.

[@jacobneale5844]

That’s so Iconic she goes though all of this for her phone 😆

[@TM12GB]

new maria video, let's gooo

[@kellodrawsalotkello7058]

this is a game i think my 14 year old would have loved! I agree with you too on graphics part. there is something that just draws me faster into lower graphic games then the new console games that look like i'm stepping into the real world. I love it when gamess just go for a certain style. or find creative ways arround their liminations. It gives their games more of a 'self'feel.