Antioch: Scarlet Bay
- November 25, 2022
- Midnight Mood Studio
- 5h median play time
Get on SteamAntioch: Scarlet Bay is a narrative-driven detective game where players investigate a series of crimes and mysteries in a cinematic experience. As a hard-boiled detective, players will explore various locations, interrogate suspects, and gather evidence to solve each case. With multiple branching storylines and endings, the choices made throughout the game will impact the outcome of the investigation and the fate of the characters involved.
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Reviews
- The game features a unique co-op mechanic that enhances the experience, allowing players to engage in meaningful dialogue and decision-making together.
- The art style and soundtrack are praised for their quality, contributing to an immersive atmosphere that fits the noir detective theme.
- Despite its flaws, the game can be entertaining and funny, especially when played with a friend, leading to memorable moments and character interactions.
- The English translation is poor, with numerous grammatical errors and awkward dialogue that detracts from the overall experience.
- The gameplay can be tedious, with navigation issues and a lack of a clear menu for tracking evidence, making it difficult to follow the story.
- The game includes offensive dialogue options and themes that may alienate players, along with bugs that can disrupt the flow of the game.
- story21 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The game's story has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it convoluted and confusing, while others appreciate its depth and humor. Many noted that the narrative, though at times lacking clarity, offers intriguing themes of self-discovery and a noir atmosphere that can be engaging for fans of the genre. Overall, the writing is highlighted as a strong point, providing memorable moments and character interactions, despite the story's complexity.
“The world provides an avenue not only for resolving a story of a corrupt world, but a voyage of self-discovery.”
“Indeed, at multiple points, the writing made me laugh unironically as I enjoyed the characters’ various quips, snide comments, and the way the story was being told.”
“If you love the noir genre and don't mind something that leans directly into its tropes, then this game and story is perfect for you.”
“Nice art style but confusing storyline.”
“I wouldn't mind reading a novelization of this game, but the story just doesn't work in a video game format.”
“The story is convoluted and incomprehensible.”
- humor8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players enjoying the quirky dialogue and character interactions that elicit genuine laughter, while others find some of the humor to be cringe-worthy. Overall, the writing is memorable and contributes to an engaging experience, though it can lead to moments of monotony. Players appreciate the blend of humor and plot twists, making for a fun, albeit sometimes uneven, comedic experience.
“Indeed, at multiple points, the writing made me laugh unironically as I enjoyed the characters’ various quips, snide comments, and the way the story was being told.”
“I sat beside my partner, absolutely engaged for those three hours, having a wonderful time laughing both with and at the game.”
“The writing is pretty funny and memorable, and it has many possible plot twists you can miss entirely if you’re not paying attention.”
- gameplay7 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Antioch: Scarlet Bay is primarily text-based, focusing on dialogue choices and map navigation, with a playtime of around 3 to 5 hours. While the cooperative mechanic adds an interesting layer, the experience heavily relies on the partner's involvement, and many players criticize the writing quality, which detracts from the overall enjoyment.
“I won't spoil the results of that, but those moments made the gameplay more interesting.”
“Antioch: Scarlet Bay’s gameplay is almost entirely text-based, with players selecting dialogue options and destinations from a basic map.”
“The gameplay takes around 3 hours and the experience very much depends on your co-op partner.”
“The co-op mechanic with strangers just sucks.”
- music6 mentions
- 83 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its excellent soundtrack, which enhances the immersive experience and complements the beautiful art style. While some users noted a lack of variation in the music, it effectively contributes to the overall atmosphere, particularly in creating a detective vibe. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature that elevates the gameplay.
“Excellent soundtrack, very immersive game.”
“The art is beautiful, and the music creates the perfect atmosphere.”
“Amazing soundtrack and a really fun game to play through.”
“I couldn't even access the settings to turn the music volume down without registering first.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their gorgeous art style, which complements the detective theme effectively. Players appreciate the aesthetic quality, noting that it enhances the overall experience, despite some concerns about the storyline and soundtrack variation.
“The aesthetic of the game is just perfect for a detective game.”
“The graphics are gorgeous, the soundtrack is killer.”
“The art style is really good and the music, while there doesn't feel like there's a lot of variation, did add to the whole detective vibe.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, characterized by beautiful art and a captivating musical score that together create an immersive experience. Reviewers consistently highlight the brilliance of the overall ambiance.
“The art is beautiful, and the music creates the perfect atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere is brilliant.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly due to the cumbersome navigation around the map, which detracts from the overall experience.
“Navigating around the map is also really tedious.”
“The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I find myself doing the same tasks over and over, which quickly becomes boring.”
