{"rewrite":{"id":"r_a3edb6cd6d588ffb5363c020","clusterId":"c_9efbc1affe90ed74cd0e9d3b","slug":"indie-horror-mole-earns-overwhelmingly-positive-steam-rating-with-97-positive-reviews","model":"deepseek-v4-flash","headline":"Indie Horror MOLE Earns Overwhelmingly Positive Steam Rating With 97% Positive Reviews","summary":"Off Black Creations' psychological horror game MOLE has achieved an 'Overwhelmingly Positive' rating on Steam, with 97% of 1,800 user reviews being positive. Set inside a giant drilling machine descending deep underground, the game blends exploration, vehicle operation, and flashbacks. The developer's tight 2.5-hour runtime and focus on atmosphere have drawn comparisons to Mouthwashing, though the article notes different thematic directions.","whyItMatters":"MOLE's strong reception shows that a short, focused horror game with careful pacing and a clear narrative can stand alongside genre hits like Mouthwashing without replicating their formula.","webCardHtml":"\u003cp\u003eOff Black Creations\u0026#39; MOLE has climbed to an \u0026#39;Overwhelmingly Positive\u0026#39; rating on Steam, with 97% of 1,800 reviews in its favor. The game places players as the helmsman of a massive drilling machine that burrows deep underground. Gameplay cycles between exploring the silent vessel, restoring systems, and confronting the protagonist\u0026#39;s past through flashbacks. The article compares MOLE to Mouthwashing, noting both share a confined setting and psychological decay, but argues MOLE\u0026#39;s horror stems from willful descent into obsession rather than helplessness. At roughly 2.5 hours, the game packs exploration, chase sequences, and story into a concise package. The reviewer calls it one of the best horror games of the first half of 2026, praising its clear design and lack of filler. MOLE is available on Steam for 1,500 yen.\u003c/p\u003e","blueskyPost":"Indie horror MOLE hits Overwhelmingly Positive on Steam with 97% of 1,800 reviews positive. A 2.5-hour psychological horror set in a deep-earth drilling machine. Fans of Mouthwashing should take note, though the game's horror is driven by purpose, not helplessness.","twitterPost":"Indie horror MOLE earns Overwhelmingly Positive on Steam (97% of 1,800 reviews). A 2.5-hour psychological horror in a deep-earth drill. Recommended for Mouthwashing fans, but with a different kind of dread.","threadsPost":null,"newsletterBlurb":"Off Black Creations' MOLE has achieved an Overwhelmingly Positive rating on Steam, with 97% of 1,800 reviews positive. The 2.5-hour psychological horror game, set in a giant drilling machine, is being compared to Mouthwashing for its confined setting and psychological decay, though the article notes a different thematic direction. The reviewer calls it one of the best horror games of 2026's first half.","attributionJson":"[{\"source\":\"Game Spark\",\"url\":\"http://www.gamespark.jp/article/2026/07/20/169484.html\",\"title\":\"Steamで人気の閉鎖空間ホラー『MOLE』はなぜ\\\"圧倒的に好評\\\"？ 『Mouthwashing』好きにも勧めたい上半期ベスト心理ホラー【プレイレポ】\"}]","lintFlagsJson":null,"lintHits":0,"costUsd":0,"inputTokens":5881,"outputTokens":1506,"status":"published","repairAttempts":0,"nextRepairAt":null,"factsAttemptedAt":1784522633,"createdAt":"2026-07-20T04:38:00.000Z","publishedAt":"2026-07-20T04:42:28.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-07-20T04:38:00.000Z"},"cluster":{"id":"c_9efbc1affe90ed74cd0e9d3b","canonicalTitle":"Steamで人気の閉鎖空間ホラー『MOLE』はなぜ“圧倒的に好評”？ 『Mouthwashing』好きにも勧めたい上半期ベスト心理ホラー【プレイレポ】","representativeArticleId":"a_7e2128a64797c1d1b3781b78","sourceCount":1,"writtenSourceCount":1,"writeAttempts":0,"isSolo":true,"entitiesJson":"{\"anime_titles\":[],\"manga_titles\":[],\"work_titles\":[\"MOLE\",\"Mouthwashing\"],\"studios\":[],\"people\":[],\"type\":\"review\",\"domain\":\"games\",\"is_roundup\":false}","contentType":"news","status":"published","firstSeenAt":"2026-07-20T03:00:03.000Z","lastSeenAt":"2026-07-20T03:00:03.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-07-20T04:42:29.000Z"},"attribution":[{"source":"Game Spark","url":"http://www.gamespark.jp/article/2026/07/20/169484.html","title":"Steamで人気の閉鎖空間ホラー『MOLE』はなぜ“圧倒的に好評”？ 『Mouthwashing』好きにも勧めたい上半期ベスト心理ホラー【プレイレポ】"}],"entities":{"anime_titles":[],"manga_titles":[],"work_titles":["MOLE","Mouthwashing"],"studios":[],"people":[],"type":"review","domain":"games","is_roundup":false},"keyFacts":null}