Case 00: The Cannibal Boy
- September 18, 2020
- MaouCat Studio / 魔王貓工作室
Get on Steam"Case 00: The Cannibal Boy" is a visual novel steeped in psychological horror and urban legends, centering around the titular cannibal boy. Players, as a psychology master's student, must make decisions that could mean life or death while exploring themes of judgment and decision-making. This half-hour experience is inspired by true events and paves the way for the Physical Exorcism Series. Please note: this game contains mature content and may not be suitable for all players.
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Reviews
- The game features a captivating story with unexpected plot twists that keep players engaged.
- The art and character designs are visually appealing, contributing to the overall atmosphere of the game.
- Despite its short length, the game effectively explores dark themes and urban legends, making it an intriguing experience.
- The game is very short, lasting around 30 minutes, which may leave players wanting more content.
- Character development is minimal, making it difficult for players to connect with or care about the characters.
- The writing lacks nuance and can feel rushed, leading to predictable outcomes and a lack of depth in the storytelling.
- story69 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story of this visual novel is a mixed bag, with some players finding it intriguing and well-written, particularly praising its psychological horror elements and plot twists. However, many reviewers noted issues with its brevity, logical inconsistencies, and lack of character development, leading to a sense of dissatisfaction despite its potential. Overall, while it offers a unique take on urban legends, the execution leaves much to be desired, making it a hit or miss for players.
“What a nice, short, and I would say sweet but it's anything but that, horror visual novel with twists and jumpscares and great writing and flawless art with a very good concise story.”
“I'm not one to go for visual novels such as these but the story was well done, captivating and the twists were fun.”
“A short but interesting story, definitely recommend if you're into psychological horror!”
“The writer of this story might have a background in psychology, but not in common sense.”
“While it tries to be something similar in the vein of Edgar Allan Poe's work, none of the characters or themes are consistent nor interesting enough to really compare on the level of something like Poe's work.”
“The storytelling is atrocious.”
- character development6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is notably minimal, with characters lacking depth and substance, making it difficult for players to form emotional connections. While the art and character designs are visually appealing, they do not compensate for the underdeveloped narratives that fail to engage players meaningfully. Overall, the attempt to evoke sympathy for characters like Grete falls flat due to insufficient character growth.
“The art for the game is pretty nice; I quite like all the character designs.”
“The character designs are simple but pleasing.”
“The background art and character designs create an engaging atmosphere for the story.”
“While it tries to be something similar in the vein of Edgar Allan Poe's work (short horror story with minimal character development but heavy themes), none of the characters or themes are consistent nor interesting enough to really compare on the level of something like Poe's work.”
“Very minimal character development that fails to give them any meaningful substance.”
“Though it feels like the narrative is trying to make you feel bad for Grete, the problem with Grete is that she lacks enough character development as an actual character to be sympathetic to.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics received mixed reviews, with many praising the beautiful artwork and character designs, while some noted the lack of animated content and CG scenes. Overall, the art style was appreciated for its connection to the game's themes, though there were suggestions for improvement in terms of animation and additional visual elements.
“The graphics are lovely, by the way.”
“This was a very fun novel to read; all three stories were well connected and the artwork was beautiful.”
“For starters, I love the character designs, plot, and graphics. Everything ties together really well, and I also appreciate how they added the theme of murder and urban legends along with a queer relationship. It gives the game a little more individuality. Overall, I really love this game and would recommend it to others.”
“The artwork was adequate.”
“It needed to have some animated content or at least some artwork of the scenes.”
“While I love the character designs and plot, the graphics could use improvement.”
- music5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players finding it enjoyable and even allowing it to play in the background. While the art is also considered decent, some reviewers feel that the overall story falls short.
“The music is actually pretty nice.”
“Also, side note, the music was great.”
“Music is alright, art is decent, story is lacking.”
“I let the song in part 2 play a bit on its own while I had to do something on the side.”
“Also, side note, music was great, but I didn't like how the text had a typewriter-like effect.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its immersive qualities, though some players express a desire for a more elaborated story and an even more unsettling ambiance to enhance the experience of the urban legends presented.
“It was extremely atmospheric.”
“Personally, I would prefer to read a more elaborated story, with the addition of an uneasy atmosphere in order to make the reader immerse more into the urban legends recounted in the game.”
“The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the tension and intrigue that the setting should evoke.”
“Despite the game's potential, the atmosphere fails to create a sense of dread or excitement, leaving players feeling disconnected from the experience.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The gameplay is brief, lasting under an hour, and falls within the horror/mystery genre, focusing on themes of cannibalism and urban legends. Many users suggest watching a gameplay video instead of purchasing, as the game is perceived to lack depth in its narrative.
“The gameplay lasts less than an hour and blends horror and mystery, exploring themes of cannibalism and urban legends.”
“I recommend watching a gameplay video of this title if you're hesitant to pay for a game that is under an hour long and lacks depth in its narrative.”
“The gameplay experience is engaging, despite its short duration, and effectively combines elements of horror and mystery.”
“The whole gameplay lasts less than an hour and, as stated above, the genre is between horror and mystery, dealing with the theme of cannibalism and urban legends.”
“Recommended to watch a gameplay of this title in case you don't feel like paying for a game that is less than an hour long and lacks depth on the narrative side.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game is frequently criticized for its instability, with users labeling it as the most buggy title in their Steam library.
“The most buggy game in my Steam library.”
“I experienced constant crashes and glitches that ruined my gameplay.”
“The game is so unstable that I can't even finish a single mission without it freezing.”
