Paranormal Home Delhi: Dive Into Delhi’s Haunted Heart 👻

About Paranormal Home Delhi

Paranormal Home Delhi is a ground-breaking Indian horror adventure game developed and published by Daman Games, released globally on 15 October 2023. Designed specifically for Indian audiences, the game blends authentic Delhi-centric folklore, spine-tingling horror elements, and engaging puzzle-solving to create an experience that feels both familiar and terrifying. Unlike many horror games that rely on generic jump scares and Western tropes, this title draws heavily from local ghost stories, urban legends, and cultural beliefs—making it a truly "desi" horror masterpiece that resonates with players across India.

Set in the labyrinthine lanes of Old Delhi, the game takes players on a journey through Bhool Bhulaiya Haveli, a fictional 200-year-old mansion with a dark past tied to Delhi’s Mughal and British colonial history. What sets Paranormal Home Delhi apart from other horror games is its commitment to authenticity: from the haveli’s architecture (complete with jharokhas, chajjas, and red sandstone walls) to the characters’ dialogues (featuring Delhi Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu dialects), every detail is crafted to reflect the vibrant, chaotic, and hauntingly beautiful essence of Delhi.

The game was conceptualized in 2021 after Daman Games conducted a survey of 50,000 Indian gamers, revealing a strong demand for horror titles rooted in local culture. "Most Indian gamers are tired of playing games set in Western haunted houses or Japanese forests," said Rajiv Mehta, the game’s director, in an interview with Games24x7. "We wanted to create something that feels like our own—something that makes players think, ‘Yeh toh hamare yahan ki kahani hai!’ (This is our local story!)." After two years of development, involving a team of 40+ designers, writers, and sound engineers, Paranormal Home Delhi launched to widespread acclaim, becoming one of the fastest-selling Indian games of 2023.

Bhool Bhulaiya Haveli—The haunted mansion at the heart of Paranormal Home Delhi, inspired by Old Delhi’s architectural heritage.

Core Game Features

Gameplay

Paranormal Home Delhi employs a first-person perspective (FPP) that immerses players directly into the eerie world of Bhool Bhulaiya Haveli. The gameplay is a mix of exploration, puzzle-solving, stealth, and resource management—all designed to keep players on the edge of their seats while respecting Indian cultural sensibilities (no excessive gore or vulgar content). The game’s difficulty is adjustable, with three modes tailored to different types of players: Desi Casual (Easy), Spooky Challenge (Medium), and Delhi Horror Extreme (Hard).

At its core, the game revolves around exploring the haveli and its surrounding areas to find clues about Priya’s disappearance and the curse that plagues the mansion. Players control Arjun, who is equipped with a smartphone (for taking photos, recording audio, and accessing clues), a flashlight (with limited battery life), and a backpack to store items. The haveli is a non-linear environment—players can explore rooms in any order, but some areas are locked until specific puzzles are solved or items are collected.

Exploration & Stealth Mechanics

The haveli is a sprawling mansion with multiple floors, secret passages, and outdoor areas (like the courtyard and garden). Each room is filled with environmental details that tell the story of the haveli’s past—from dusty Mughal-era paintings to British colonial furniture, and even modern items left behind by Priya. As players explore, they’ll encounter supernatural entities that vary in behavior: some are passive (like the spirit of Rani Begum, who guides Arjun), while others are hostile (like the Jinn of the Havel, who hunts players down).

Stealth is crucial for surviving hostile spirits. Players must move quietly (crouching reduces noise), avoid direct eye contact with spirits, and use the environment to hide (behind curtains, in wardrobes, or under tables). The game’s sound design plays a key role here: spirits emit distinct sounds (whispers, footsteps, or eerie singing) that grow louder as they approach, giving players time to react. Unlike many horror games, where combat is an option, Paranormal Home Delhi focuses on evasion—fighting spirits directly is almost always a one-way ticket to game over!

Storyline

The storyline of Paranormal Home Delhi is a gripping tale of family, guilt, and redemption—woven into the fabric of Delhi’s dark history. The game opens with Arjun Mehra, a 28-year-old investigative journalist from Mumbai, receiving a frantic phone call from his cousin Priya. "Arjun, I’ve found something… something big," she says, her voice trembling. "The haveli is real. The curse is real. I’m scared—they’re watching me." The call cuts off abruptly, and Arjun is unable to reach Priya again.

Worried sick, Arjun travels to Delhi and heads straight to Old Delhi, where Priya was researching Bhool Bhulaiya Haveli—a mansion built in the early 1800s by Nawab Zafar Ali Khan, a wealthy Mughal nobleman with a penchant for black magic. According to local legend, the Nawab sacrificed his entire family and 50 servants in a ritual to gain immortality, but the ritual backfired, cursing the haveli and trapping the spirits of those killed inside. For decades, the haveli has been abandoned, with locals refusing to go near it—until Priya, a passionate paranormal researcher, decided to investigate its secrets.

Act 1: The Arrival

Arjun arrives in Old Delhi’s Chandni Chowk bazaar, a bustling hub of activity that contrasts sharply with the eerie silence of the haveli just a few lanes away. He meets Chhota Bhai, a street kid who knew Priya and agrees to guide Arjun to the haveli—for a small fee. "Bhaiya, woh haveli bohot bura hai," Chhota Bhai warns. "Log bolte hai ki wahan pe jinn rehte hai, jo logon ko apne saath le jaate hai." (Brother, that haveli is very evil. People say jinns live there who take people away with them.)

Arjun brushes off the warning and enters the haveli, which is dilapidated but still imposing. The front door slams shut behind him, trapping him inside. As he explores the ground floor, he finds Priya’s backpack, which contains her research notes, a digital camera, and a copy of the Nawab’s diary. From the notes, Arjun learns that Priya was not just investigating the curse—she was also trying to find a way to break it. The diary reveals that the Nawab’s ritual failed because he lacked a "pure heart" to complete it, and the curse can only be broken by someone who acts selflessly, without fear or greed.

Act 2: Uncovering the Truth

As Arjun delves deeper into the haveli, he begins to experience supernatural phenomena: doors opening and closing on their own, whispers in Urdu echoing through the halls, and visions of the Nawab and his victims. He also encounters the spirit of Rani Begum, the Nawab’s wife, who was killed in the ritual. Unlike the other spirits, Rani Begum is not hostile—she guides Arjun, telling him bits and pieces of the Nawab’s story. "My husband was consumed by greed," she says. "He thought power would make him happy, but it only brought him despair. Help us, Arjun. Set us free."

Arjun also discovers that Priya is not missing—she has been possessed by the Nawab’s spirit. The Nawab plans to use Priya’s body to complete the ritual he started 200 years ago, using Arjun’s "pure heart" as the final sacrifice. Arjun is faced with a choice: he can save Priya by exorcising the Nawab’s spirit (but leave the other spirits trapped in the haveli) or he can break the curse entirely (but risk losing Priya forever).

Act 3: The Climax & Endings

The climax takes place in the haveli’s dungeon, where the Nawab (in Priya’s body) is preparing to perform the ritual. Arjun must use all the clues and items he’s collected to stop him. The outcome depends on the choices Arjun has made throughout the game:

Characters

Paranormal Home Delhi features a diverse cast of characters—each with their own backstories, motivations, and connections to the haveli. The game’s voice acting is a standout feature, with top Indian voice artists bringing the characters to life with authentic accents and emotional depth. Below are the key characters that drive the game’s storyline:

Locations

Paranormal Home Delhi is set entirely in Delhi, with locations ranging from bustling bazaars to abandoned historical sites. The game’s developers spent months researching Delhi’s architecture, culture, and geography to recreate each location with stunning accuracy. Every street, building, and landmark feels like a real place—making the horror even more immersive, as players recognize locations they may have visited in real life.

Bhool Bhulaiya Haveli (Main Setting)

The heart of the game, Bhool Bhulaiya Haveli is a fictional 200-year-old mansion located in the lanes of Old Delhi, near Chandni Chowk. The haveli is a blend of Mughal and British colonial architecture—with red sandstone walls, jharokhas (overhanging balconies), chajjas (sloped eaves), and a central courtyard. Inside, the haveli is divided into multiple floors and sections, each with its own unique atmosphere:

• Ground Floor: Entrance hall, dining room, kitchen, and Priya’s temporary workspace. This floor is relatively safe, with only passive spirits and minor puzzles.
• First Floor: Bedrooms, library, and Rani Begum’s shrine. This floor is haunted by the spirits of the Nawab’s children and servants, with more challenging puzzles.
• Second Floor: The Nawab’s private chambers, black magic temple, and a secret passage to the dungeon. This floor is where the Jinn appears most frequently, making it the most dangerous area of the haveli.
• Dungeon: Located beneath the haveli, this dark, damp area is where the Nawab performed his ritual. It’s the site of the game’s climax, with the most powerful spirits and the final puzzle.
• Courtyard & Garden: The outdoor area of the haveli, featuring a fountain, a holy well, and overgrown vegetation. The garden is haunted by the spirit of a gardener who was killed in the ritual, and it’s where players can find rare resources like holy water.

Old Delhi Bazaar (Opening Location)

The game opens in Chandni Chowk, one of Delhi’s oldest and busiest bazaars. The bazaar is a riot of colors, sounds, and smells—with vendors selling chaat, samosas, and sweets; rickshaws weaving through crowds; and the call to prayer echoing from nearby mosques. This location serves as a stark contrast to the haveli’s eeriness, setting the stage for the horror to come.

In the bazaar, players can interact with locals (who provide clues about the haveli and Priya’s whereabouts), buy items like camphor and sage from vendors, and meet Chhota Bhai. The bazaar is also where players learn about Delhi’s folklore—locals tell stories of the haveli, warning Arjun not to enter. "Woh jagah acche logon ko nahi chhodti," (That place doesn’t let good people leave) says one vendor, foreshadowing the danger ahead.

Agrasen Ki Baoli (Side Location)

Agrasen Ki Baoli is a real historical site in Delhi—a 14th-century stepwell located in Connaught Place. In the game, Arjun visits the baoli to collect holy water, which is needed to solve a key puzzle in the haveli. The baoli is recreated with accurate details, including its 103 steps, sandstone walls, and the dark water at the bottom.

The baoli is haunted by the spirit of a woman who drowned herself there in the 19th century. Unlike the haveli’s spirits, this spirit is neutral—she will help Arjun collect the holy water if he solves a small puzzle (arranging flowers on a shrine), or she will attack him if he disturbs the baoli’s peace. This location adds depth to the game’s world, showing that the haveli’s curse is not an isolated incident—Delhi is full of haunted places with their own stories.

Khooni Darwaza (Flashback Location)

Khooni Darwaza (Bloody Gate) is another real historical site in Delhi—an archway built in the 16th century that was used for public executions during the Mughal era. In the game, Arjun experiences flashbacks to the 1820s, where he sees the Nawab’s servants bringing victims to Khooni Darwaza to be killed as part of the black magic ritual.

These flashbacks are triggered by items Arjun finds in the haveli (like a victim’s locket or a piece of clothing). They provide crucial context for the Nawab’s cruelty and the curse’s origin. The flashbacks are presented in a sepia tone, with authentic Mughal-era clothing and dialogues—adding to the game’s historical depth.

Arjun’s Hotel Room (Safe Zone)

Arjun’s hotel room is a small, cozy space in a budget hotel near Chandni Chowk. This location serves as a safe zone—players can return here at any time to save their progress, review clues, and listen to voice messages from Chhota Bhai. The hotel room is a welcome respite from the haveli’s horror, with soft lighting, a fan, and a view of the bazaar below.

The hotel room evolves throughout the game: as Arjun uncovers more clues, he pins notes and photos to the wall, creating a "mystery board" that helps players keep track of the storyline. The room also contains a small shrine with a statue of Ganesha (the Hindu god of beginnings), which Arjun prays to before entering the haveli—adding a touch of cultural authenticity.

Technical Details

Paranormal Home Delhi was developed using the Unity Engine, chosen for its ability to deliver high-quality graphics on both mobile and PC/console platforms. The game’s technical team focused on three key priorities: authenticity (recreating Delhi’s locations accurately), optimization (ensuring the game runs smoothly on low-end devices), and immersion (using sound and lighting to enhance the horror experience). Below is a detailed breakdown of the game’s technical aspects:

Graphics & Visual Design

The game’s