Hapunan
Hapunan puts players in the role of Niko, who must raise chickens to pay off his rent in the mysterious Barangay Sakdudol. Each choice determines the fate of him and his father against the ruthless forces of Penduko. Will you choose silence or uncover the truth?
Hapunan is an indie psychological horror game by Yikon, set in the suburbs of the Philippines. It's a prequel to Balut Vendor Simulator, recounting the journey of Niko and his father before the events of the original game.
The game lasts approximately 30 to 40 minutes, with multiple branching paths and various endings. It's not a pure escape horror game. The game's strength lies in its narrative and how each player decision impacts the relationships between the characters and the resulting ending.
The Chicken Farming Mechanic in Hapunan
Father and son arrive in Barangay Sakdudol simply because they couldn't pay their rent for several months. That's the starting point of Hapunan, but the chicken farm Niko takes care of isn't as simple as it initially seems.
Most of the gameplay in the early levels is about managing the chicken farm. This mechanic operates in a specific loop and has stricter rules than it appears on the surface.
Basic Loop
Chickens need to eat in the feeding coop, not in the rearing house. After eating, move the chickens to the nesting box at the right time; otherwise, the eggs will spoil. Fill the trays with fresh eggs and sell the trays for money. One tray is worth 300 pesos.
Important Limits
The rearing house holds a maximum of 3 chickens. The feeding coop only holds enough for 1 chicken at a time. Overfilling will kill the chickens. This is the most common mistake for beginners who see many chickens to handle at once without paying attention to the slot limit.
Chickens have status indicators. Read the status before moving them; don't guess.
Penduko and the Power Structure
Penduko is the character who controls all of Barangay Sakdudol. He's not a villain in the chase type. The danger comes from his real power within the local system and his willingness to use it.
Choices involving Penduko often occur when the player witnesses something they shouldn't know. Choosing to report or remain silent, which character to trust, befriending or keeping your distance from Jayn—each decision accumulates and directly impacts the ending.
The game has at least 5 different endings. Some bad endings occur because the player reports the right person but at the wrong time.
Controls
Who is Hapunan Suitable For?
Suitable for those who enjoy short, narrative horror with a real story. There's no element of escaping from constant tension, but psychological pressure comes from moral choices in dire circumstances.
If you want to see multiple endings, you'll need to replay the game two or three times and try different approaches to Kayle and Jayn right from the first chapter.
Hapunan doesn't try to explain everything; the rest is a piece of the puzzle for the next game.