Antioch: Scarlet Bay

About

Antioch: 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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

66%

Audience ScoreBased on 70 reviews

story18 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The art style and soundtrack are excellent, creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the gameplay experience.
The co-op mechanic allows for engaging interactions and banter between players, making it a fun experience when played with a friend.
The game offers multiple endings and choices that can significantly influence the outcome, adding depth to the narrative.

The English translation is poor, with numerous grammatical errors and awkward dialogue that detracts from the overall experience.
The requirement to create an account to play and the lack of a proper save system across devices is frustrating for players.
The dialogue system can lead to disjointed conversations, making it difficult for players to engage meaningfully with the story and each other.

story
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
48%
10%
The game's story has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it convoluted and confusing, while others appreciate its humor and depth, particularly in the context of a noir narrative. Many noted that the writing is engaging and memorable, contributing to a sense of accomplishment when uncovering plot points. Overall, while the story may not resonate with everyone, it offers a unique blend of mystery and character development that can be enjoyable for fans of the genre.
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “Confusing story.”
humor
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of clever quips and cringe-worthy moments that resonate well with players, often leading to genuine laughter. While some found the humor to enhance engagement and enjoyment, others noted that it could contribute to a sense of monotony during gameplay. Overall, the writing is memorable and effectively incorporates humor into the narrative, making it a highlight for many players.
- “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.”
gameplay
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
64%
21%
Antioch: Scarlet Bay features primarily text-based gameplay, where players navigate through dialogue options and a simple map, with a typical playtime of around 3 to 5 hours. The cooperative mechanic adds an interesting layer, but the experience heavily relies on the partner's involvement, and many players criticize the writing quality as subpar. Overall, while the co-op aspect has potential, it is marred by inconsistent execution and poor writing.
- “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.”
- “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.”
music
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
83%
8%
8%
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.”
graphics
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their gorgeous art style and perfect aesthetic, particularly suited for a detective theme. While the visuals enhance the overall experience, some users noted that the storyline can be confusing. The soundtrack complements the graphics well, contributing to the immersive atmosphere.
- “The graphics are gorgeous, the soundtrack is killer.”
- “The aesthetic of the game is just perfect for a detective game.”
- “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.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, characterized by beautiful art and music that together create an immersive and brilliant experience.
- “The art is beautiful, and the music creates the perfect atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere is brilliant.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly due to the cumbersome navigation around the map, which detracts from the overall experience.