Black Closet

About

"Black Closet" is a detective game set in a school where you play as the student council president, tasked with solving various cases and managing your relationships with other students. Each case requires you to make choices in investigating and interviewing suspects, with the outcome affecting your reputation and relationships. Balance your actions carefully to maintain your leadership and solve each case effectively.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 239 reviews

story42 positive mentions

optimization3 negative mentions

Engaging and unique gameplay that combines mystery-solving with resource management.
Well-written characters with distinct personalities and interesting story arcs.
High replayability due to randomized cases and the ability to choose different traitors each playthrough.

Can become repetitive as the number of case types is limited, leading to similar scenarios.
Difficulty spikes can be frustrating, especially if players are not prepared for the endgame challenges.
Lack of clear tutorials for some mechanics may lead to confusion for new players.

story
156 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
69%
4%
The game's story is generally regarded as intriguing and well-crafted, featuring multiple branching paths and character arcs that enhance replayability. However, some players noted a decline in interest as the plot progressed, with criticisms about plot holes and a lack of depth in certain areas. Overall, while the narrative has its strengths, including engaging characters and a mix of romance and mystery, it can feel repetitive and occasionally flat, especially in later stages.
- “Very engaging and very dark storyline.”
- “The characters are interesting and sometimes complex, the story is entertaining and contains some interesting branches, and the gameplay is a really fun application of resource management to solve mysteries.”
- “The story branched nicely and the elements which are expertly randomized make for a surprising degree of replayability - I will definitely be playing this again soon.”
- “I feel like the writer themselves wasn't very enthusiastic about writing this part and felt insecure about some of the plot holes.”
- “The story is... better than average, but that's not saying much.”
- “And this is maybe just me, but I got tired and just followed a walkthrough, which doesn't bother me at all normally because I'm interested in the story, but this mini-games have nothing to do with it, and the story was pretty flat itself.”
gameplay
126 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
67%
4%
The gameplay is a unique blend of visual novel elements and strategic mechanics, offering engaging and sometimes challenging experiences that intertwine with the narrative. While many players appreciate the depth and replayability provided by various routes and character interactions, some critique the repetitiveness and occasional clumsiness of the mechanics. Overall, the game is praised for its interesting mechanics, charming art, and well-crafted story, though it may require patience to fully grasp its systems.
- “I really enjoyed the choices you get to make in the game as well as the gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is engaging and the characters are, for the most part, deep and interesting.”
- “The narrative beautifully intertwines with the gameplay and everything has a consequence.”
- “The mechanics it sells itself on are ultimately shallow and easily predictable.”
- “Gameplay gets repetitive very quickly; I didn't really connect with the romanceable characters, and the game ends rather abruptly without ever quite developing a main plot.”
- “It has a promise of replayability in its randomly-generated gameplay elements and different paths, but the game's core gameplay of handling cases becomes repetitive well before you even finish your first playthrough, killing all my interest in giving this a second playthrough.”
replayability
48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
63%
6%
The game boasts high replayability due to its excellent writing, diverse character routes, and randomized elements that keep each playthrough fresh. Players can explore different outcomes, chase achievements, and engage with various story paths, making it a compelling experience for multiple runs. While some find the core gameplay repetitive, the overall consensus is that the game's design encourages repeated playthroughs.
- “The writing is excellent, with distinct and interesting characters and both serious and funny moments, and the amount of variation possible even within some individual routes is impressive and adds replay value on its own.”
- “Everything is randomized each playthrough and there are different overarching goals with different endings, so it's got more replayability than I expected when I picked it up.”
- “The story branched nicely and the elements which are expertly randomized make for a surprising degree of replayability - I will definitely be playing this again soon.”
- “The game has a promise of replayability in its randomly-generated gameplay elements and different paths, but the core gameplay of handling cases becomes repetitive well before you even finish your first playthrough, killing all my interest in giving this a second playthrough - which begs the question of why even make randomly-generated cases in the first place.”
- “There are a few small randomized variations to give it replay value, but it's mostly a standard linear story.”
- “The replay value isn't fantastic, but some major random variables (like exactly who - if anyone? - in your organization is actually a mole) keep some curveballs coming your way.”
graphics
45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
71%
7%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the unique and charming art style, which enhances the overall atmosphere alongside the music and UI design. While some players appreciate the two distinct art styles and find them visually appealing, others criticize certain aspects of the artwork as mediocre or inconsistent. Overall, the visuals contribute positively to the game's aesthetic and storytelling, though opinions vary significantly among players.
- “The art style is unique and charming, the mood and music are awesome, the game mechanics are deceptively simple and novel, the story is cool, the characters feel layered and distinct, and the dialog is very well-crafted and flexible.”
- “The game comes with two different art styles - one sharp-cornered, contrasting photo manipulation, and one soft-curved manga depiction - and both are simply gorgeous.”
- “As mentioned, the artwork is certainly aesthetically pleasing, as well as the music and sound effects.”
- “The artwork is mediocre.”
- “I seriously don't know who was commissioned to do the artwork in this game, but I hope they weren't paid very much.”
- “The art style in the non-default set also looks like someone painted over pictures they grabbed from the internet, because none of the characters look the same when they're animated, also the proportions are seriously off.”
music
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
50%
19%
The music in the game is generally described as simple and somewhat repetitive, yet it effectively complements the atmosphere and enhances the overall experience. While some players find it charming and fitting, others feel it lacks distinctiveness, rating it as average. Overall, the soundtrack contributes positively to the game's mood, with many appreciating its ability to create tension and relaxation simultaneously.
- “What really works for me is just the whole atmosphere of the game, with the background music, art style, and UI design all working in concert.”
- “The art style is unique and charming, the mood and music are awesome, the game mechanics are deceptively simple and novel, the story is cool, the characters feel layered and distinct, and the dialog is very well-crafted and flexible.”
- “Oh, and this one is just a personal preference: I like the background music on this one; it's relaxing to listen to and suits the theme well too.”
- “Music: 4/10.”
- “It's not bad, but it is really simple looping music.”
- “Soundtrack is very simple and a bit repetitive, yet brilliantly fitting to atmosphere also.”
atmosphere
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
25%
38%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its cohesive integration of background music, art style, and UI design, creating a tense and engaging environment. Players appreciate the detailed and lovingly crafted settings, which enhance the thematic elements of the gameplay, while the soundtrack, though simple, effectively complements the overall mood. The combination of intriguing storylines and artistic choices contributes to a captivating experience that resonates well with players.
- “What really works for me is just the whole atmosphere of the game, with the background music, art style, and UI design all working in concert.”
- “The atmosphere and the drawings suit the thematics and gameplay really well.”
- “Maybe it is the school's atmosphere (I went to a boarding school myself, thank god not girls only.. :) ), maybe because it is so delicately developed with a lot of details and a lot of love that went into it.”
- “The soundtrack is very simple and a bit repetitive, yet it fits the atmosphere brilliantly.”
- “The atmosphere creates a surprising amount of tension.”
- “Maybe it is the school's atmosphere, or perhaps it's the delicate development with a lot of details and love that went into it.”
humor
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is praised for its excellent writing and the ability to blend serious moments with unexpected comedic elements, creating a deeply immersive experience. Players appreciate the distinct characters and the variation in routes, which enhance replay value while maintaining a lighthearted tone, even in challenging scenarios. Overall, the game successfully balances drama and humor, making for a compelling and entertaining narrative.
- “The writing is excellent, with distinct and interesting characters and both serious and funny moments, and the amount of variation possible even within some individual routes is impressive and adds replay value on its own.”
- “It was suspenseful and funny and romantic and deeply immersive, and I'm happy to have seen it through in one of many, many possible ways.”
- “Black Closet is thoughtful, expansive, dramatic, and very funny at times.”
character development
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
60%
Character development in the game is highlighted as a key element, with players appreciating the blend of storytelling and gameplay. While many characters begin as standard archetypes, the development throughout the game adds depth and intrigue, making the experience enjoyable even if not all story arcs are completed.
- “Also, the whole point of games like this is storytelling brought about through strong character development.”
- “Mixing excellent gameplay with some intriguing character development.”
- “I enjoyed the character development that I saw (I didn't complete everyone's story arcs), even though most of them start off as pretty standard archetypes.”
- “The character development feels shallow and uninspired, making it hard to connect with anyone in the story.”
- “I expected a rich narrative, but the characters lack depth and their growth is almost non-existent.”
- “The game fails to provide meaningful character arcs, leaving players feeling detached from the storyline.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its flawless performance, with no reported issues during gameplay. The mechanics encourage strategic thinking and adaptability, as players must analyze varying performances to identify the traitor, enhancing the overall experience. A demo is available for players to assess the game's vibe before committing.
- “If you're the kind of person who gets excited by the idea of 'pareto-optimization,' then you will probably enjoy these mechanics for the same reason I did. There's a demo available on the developer's website, which should give you a feel for the overall vibe of the game to see if it gels with you.”
- “The game ran flawlessly for me, and I didn't experience any performance issues at all.”
- “It's up to you to examine their performance, like if they're failing simple tasks and their success rates are far below everyone else's.”
- “If you're the kind of person who gets excited by the idea of 'pareto-optimization,' then you too will probably like these mechanics for the same reason I did.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be quite demanding, often requiring significant time investment, especially in the late game where procedurally generated content can become tedious. However, the frequent story missions and character interactions help alleviate some of the monotony, though battles against powerful bosses can still feel overly challenging and repetitive.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Fighting the 'boss' (the game's true villain) can be a bit tedious, especially in later playthroughs; I feel like her having 100 in all stats is a bit much.”
- “The majority of gameplay is procedurally generated, so the late game can get a bit tedious.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the game highly effective in fostering emotional attachment to its characters, with many expressing deep investment in the storylines across multiple routes. The emotional engagement is a standout feature, making it a recommended choice for those seeking a compelling narrative experience.
- “If you're looking to buy into a fantasy and get emotionally attached to characters, I highly recommend this game.”
- “I've played two whole routes and some partial ones, and each one had me emotionally invested as well as hooked.”