Brooke Martin
Red Candle Games' Devotion is a first-person psychological horror video game set in Taiwan in the 1980s. The game incorporates elements of Taiwanese culture and folk religion, including references to specific deities. One of the central themes of the game is the main character Du Feng Yu's devotion to the deity Cigu Guanyin, and the disturbing acts he is willing to commit in her service. The game explores the dark side of domestic life and the horror that can be found within the familiar. Devotion has been praised for its storytelling, attention to detail, and emotional depth, although some have criticised its gameplay as unimpressive and boring. The game also sparked controversy due to a satirical message discovered within its graphical assets, leading to its removal from the Steam platform shortly after its release.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Game Type | First-person psychological horror video game |
| Game Developer | Red Candle Games |
| Game Setting | Taiwan in the 1980s, primarily in an apartment complex in Taipei |
| Narrative Elements | Family, guilt, redemption, child-rearing, religious devotion, career success |
| Religious Elements | Vajrayāna Buddhist, Daoist, Taiwanese folk religion |
| Gameplay Mechanics | Puzzle-solving, exploration, environmental storytelling |
| Release Date | February 19, 2019 |
| Removal from Steam | February 26, 2019, due to a controversial Easter egg |
| Re-release | March 15, 2021, on Red Candle Games' digital store |
| Deity | Cigu Guanyin |
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What You'll Learn
The deity Cigu Guanyin
Cigu Guanyin is a deity featured in the video game Devotion by Red Candle Games. Devotion is a first-person psychological horror game set in Taiwan in the 1980s, with most of the game taking place in an apartment complex in Taipei. The game incorporates elements of Taiwanese culture and folk religion.
Cigu Guanyin is a character in the game that the protagonist, Du Feng Yu, is devoted to. Feng Yu believes that Cigu Guanyin will solve all of his family's problems if he proves faithful enough. This devotion to Cigu Guanyin is the strongest thread throughout the game, complicating the Du family's life in multiple dimensions.
The name Guanyin is derived from the evolved translation of Avalokitesvara, the deity's name in original Sanskrit. Guanyin was originally a male deity, but over time, the deity took on more female characteristics and became known as Guanyin, representing compassion and the ability to hear the suffering of the world.
Guanyin is a popular East Asian goddess revered by Buddhists and Taoists. She is known as the goddess of mercy, compassion, kindness, and fertility and is often depicted as a protector of women, children, and those in need. In Taiwan, Guanyin is known as the Ancient Buddha of the South Sea and is a primary deity of the Yiguandao. Due to her popularity, Guanyin is commonly featured in literature, television, and movies and has recently appeared in the video game Devotion as Cigu Guanyin.
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Religious elements and imagery
Devotion, the horror game by Red Candle Games, incorporates various religious elements and imagery inspired by Taiwanese folk religion and Chinese religious imagery. The game is set in Taiwan in the 1980s, primarily within an apartment complex in Taipei.
One of the central religious aspects of the game revolves around the character Du Feng Yu's devotion to a deity named Cigu Guanyin. Feng Yu strongly believes that this deity will solve all of his family's problems if he proves faithful enough. This theme of devotion and faith is a strong thread that runs throughout the game, influencing the character's actions and decisions.
The game also includes religious elements and ritual implements that are reminiscent of Vajrayāna Buddhist and Daoist traditions. For example, there are ritual implements that the character Du must use to sacrifice his own body, as well as talismans that appear throughout the apartment building. These talismans play a significant role in the game's narrative, as one particular talisman sparked controversy for containing a satirical message referencing Xi Jinping, the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party.
In addition to these specific religious references, Devotion also draws on the rich religious culture of Taiwan, where various popular deities and sects coexist alongside more familiar religious institutions. This reflects the religious landscape of Taiwan, where believers often seek out religious services based on efficacy rather than strict denominational loyalty.
The game's narrative effectively utilizes the domestic space of the home, where much of the religious imagery is encountered. The familiar setting of the home, which is usually associated with safety and comfort, is transformed into a source of unease and horror as the player uncovers the disturbing tale of the family's devotion and the consequences of their actions.
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Taiwanese folk religion
Taiwanese folk beliefs are traditional beliefs that are widely circulated in Taiwan, including Chinese folk beliefs that combine Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. These beliefs also include the deification of local heroes and celebrities, Wang Ye worship, and Taiwanese aboriginal ancestors. With the immigration of the Han Chinese to Taiwan, exchanges between the indigenous Austronesian aboriginal religion and Chinese folk religion occurred. For example, Ali-zu, the Sirayan god of fertility, has been incorporated into the Han pantheon in some parts of Taiwan.
Taiwanese Taoism is almost entirely entwined with folk religion, with priests functioning as ritual ministers of local community cults. Taiwanese Taoism differs from northern China's Quanzhen Taoism in that it lacks a contemplative, ascetic, and monastic tradition. The Celestial Masters, leaders of the Zhengyi school of Taoism, are based in Taiwan.
The diversity of religious beliefs in Taiwan is reflected in the variety of temples found across the island. These include folk Taoist temples in Taichung, an altar dedicated to various gods in Tainan, the Temple of Fude in Wujie, and the Hotsu Longfong Temple dedicated to Mazu in Miaoli.
Red Candle Games' Devotion is a psychological horror video game set in Taiwan in the 1980s, primarily taking place in an apartment complex in Taipei. The game incorporates elements of Taiwanese culture and folk religion, including the use of ritual implements and talismans. The game's narrative explores issues of family, guilt, and redemption, with a particular focus on the main character's devotion to the deity Cigu Guanyin.
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The uncanny and the supernatural
Red Candle Games' Devotion is a first-person psychological horror video game set in Taiwan in the 1980s. The game incorporates elements of Taiwanese culture and folk religion, including Buddhist and Daoist flavours, and revolves around a family's devotion to a deity. The player primarily controls Du Feng-Yu, a screenwriter living with his wife, a former singer/movie star, and their daughter.
The game takes place in an apartment complex in Taipei, where rooms represent different years in the lives of the Du family. As the player explores the apartment, they uncover the family's vows and witness their devotion, which is primarily driven by the father's faith in a deity, Cigu Guanyin. Du believes that this deity will solve all of his family's problems if he proves faithful enough, leading him to commit disturbing acts.
While the game includes supernatural elements, the true horror lies in human motivations and behaviours. The game effectively blends the familiar with the uncanny, using the setting of a home, which is inherently emotional, to craft a creepy and sad tale. This domestic terror is further enhanced by the subtle and dramatic shifts in the environment, such as the arrangement of rooms and objects, adding to the sense of unease and the uncanny.
The game's narrative structure also contributes to the uncanny experience. By first establishing the Taiwanese context, with its unique spaces, sounds, and sights, the game provides a sense of normalcy before fully immersing players in the horror elements. This contrast between the familiar and the uncanny is a key aspect of the game's appeal and effectiveness in exploring cultural themes and the complex dynamics of family, guilt, and redemption.
Devotion's use of religious imagery and supernatural literary themes serves as a teaching tool, providing an immersive experience for students to learn about Taiwanese and Chinese culture. The game offers a unique approach to fostering a connection between the everyday lives of students and the cultural world of Taiwan and China, enhancing their understanding and appreciation of these unfamiliar contexts.
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The domestic as a source of horror
Red Candle Games' Devotion is a first-person psychological horror game that explores the domestic as a source of horror. Set in Taiwan in the 1980s, the game takes place primarily in an apartment complex in Taipei, with rooms representing different years in the lives of the Du family. The player controls Du Feng-Yu, a screenwriter living with his wife, a former singer/movie star, and their daughter, Mei Shin.
The game's narrative centres around the family's religious devotion, specifically Du's unwavering faith in the deity Cigu Guanyin, whom he believes will solve all their problems if he proves faithful enough. This devotion leads to disturbing acts and a heart-breaking conclusion. The domestic setting of the game, with its inherent emotional weight, adds to the sense of unease and creepiness. As one reviewer notes, "the true horror isn't in the supernatural...the horror is in human motivations and behaviour and in how real and plausible everything is".
The game also incorporates Taiwanese culture and folk religion, with religious imagery and implements encountered throughout the apartment building. These religious elements draw on the rich religious culture of Taiwan, where various deities and sects coexist with more familiar religious institutions. The game's immersive narrative effectively deploys traditional Chinese religious imagery and supernatural literary themes to explore issues of family, guilt, and redemption.
Devotion's strength lies in how its narrative structure introduces players to the Taiwanese context and its familiar spaces before the horror element takes over. This allows players to develop a sense of what should be normal and homely, making the emergence of supernatural elements even more disturbing. The game subverts the safe and secure feeling of home, with rooms shifting and stirring, objects changing, and other presences felt, all contributing to the overall sense of domestic terror.
By utilising the familiar setting of the home, Red Candle Games has created a unique and immersive gaming experience that explores the dark side of family life and the disturbing consequences of extreme religious devotion.
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Frequently asked questions
Devotion is a first-person psychological horror video game developed by Red Candle Games.
The deity from Devotion is Cigu Guanyin.
Cigu Guanyin is not a real deity. However, the game incorporates elements of Taiwanese folk religion and culture.
Devotion was removed from Steam due to a controversial Easter egg referencing Xi Jinping, the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party.
