19:03 Ueno-hatsu Yakou Ressha

Part of the "Digital Novel" wave on the PlayStation, 19:03 Ueno-hatsu Yakou Ressha (translated as 19:03 Night Train from Ueno) is a suspenseful sound novel released in 1998. Developed by Planning Office Wada, it is an atmospheric mystery that takes place entirely aboard a night train departing from Tokyo's Ueno Station. You play as a passenger caught up in a complex web of intrigue, secret pasts, and a potential crime unfolding in the cramped, swaying carriages of the express train. The game relies on a "branching narrative" system where your choices—who you talk to, which carriage you visit, and how you respond to tension—dictate which of the multiple endings you receive. It is a masterclass in low-budget tension, using still photography, ambient train sounds, and a moody score to create a sense of claustrophobia and unease.