CHAOS;CHILD

77%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,802 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • emotional
CHAOS;CHILD Game Cover
Chaos;Child tells a heartbreaking tale of murder, delusions, and what drives a person. It's a painful tale, but one that very well may stick with you forever.
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CHAOS;CHILD is a single-player Horror Role Playing game with an intriguing story, delightful graphics, and a splendid music score. The game features a unique atmosphere and wholesome story, along with a 10-track soundtrack available as an early-purchase bonus. The music, including tracks such as "WORLD -C;C MAIN THEME-" and "CAPACITY", adds to the game's overall immersive experience.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Android
  • Mobile Platform
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Play​station Vita
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

77%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,802 reviews
story478 positive mentions
grinding12 negative mentions
  • Engaging and unpredictable story with numerous plot twists that keep players on the edge of their seats.
  • Well-developed characters that evoke strong emotional responses, making players care about their fates.
  • High production quality with beautiful visuals, excellent voice acting, and a captivating soundtrack.
  • Pacing issues, especially in the early chapters, leading to a slow start that may deter some players.
  • The delusion trigger system can feel unnecessary and detracts from the main plot, with some scenes being overly long or irrelevant.
  • The true ending may leave some players feeling unsatisfied or confused, as it doesn't provide a clear resolution to all plot points.
  • story1,604 mentions

    The story of *Chaos;Child* is a complex and engaging narrative that unfolds through a series of shocking plot twists and character developments, often exploring dark themes and psychological horror. While many players appreciate the depth and intricacy of the plot, some criticize its pacing and the reliance on twists that may feel contrived or lacking in buildup. Overall, the game is praised for its rich storytelling, memorable characters, and emotional impact, making it a compelling experience for fans of visual novels, especially those familiar with the *SciAdv* series.

    • “The story is amazing.”
    • “Not only is the story of Chaos;Child rich, but the shocks/twists hidden inside of it are a lot and they're quite strong!”
    • “Chaos;Child is a storytelling masterpiece, full of mystery, intrigue, feels, and plot twists.”
    • “Despite interesting scenes, powers, and delusions, things were personally ruined for me by nonsensical plot twists (not just one but multiple) that seem mostly done for shock factor.”
    • “I expected Chaos;Head Pt 2 but I ended up disappointed by the direction the story took (and the ending).”
    • “The story pacing and too much padding.”
  • music228 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric quality and ability to enhance the emotional depth of the narrative, with many reviewers highlighting the exceptional work of composer Takeshi Abo. While some tracks are described as memorable and fitting for various scenes, a few players noted instances of repetitiveness or background music that occasionally felt out of place. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's immersive experience.

    • “With an amazing soundtrack and beautiful art that is the perfect evolution of the precedent chaos;head set six years before, this game is a truly unforgettable experience.”
    • “The music especially is a highlight to me, with each track setting the mood perfectly and the amazing vocal themes complementing each opening/ending.”
    • “The soundtrack is a masterpiece, every single track is perfect for the context it is used.”
    • “Music is there and it serves its purpose of building the game's atmosphere but there's nothing particularly memorable about it.”
    • “Even the background music feels off at some scenes (doesn't fit the mood), the same music box theme is looped in every 'ominous' scene to the extent it became almost comical.”
    • “The production value is high, with good art, but mediocre music.”
  • emotional115 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised, with many players reporting intense feelings ranging from joy to heartbreak, often leading to tears during pivotal moments. The narrative is described as a rollercoaster of emotions, effectively balancing tender scenes with shocking twists, although some players noted issues with pacing and character development that occasionally left them feeling disconnected. Overall, the game is recognized for its profound storytelling and ability to evoke a strong emotional response, making it a memorable experience for many.

    • “It has the perfect balance of quiet, more tender heartfelt moments and absolutely shocking and horrifying moments as well.”
    • “This novel was an emotional rollercoaster for me, the first time something made me feel this way on the first run through ever.”
    • “The most heartbreaking moment in c;c is when you realize that you've done everything in the game, finished every route, got every achievement... and now you have to say 'goodbye' to every character you got attached to and move on.”
    • “Plot twists were there for the sake of plot twists, and I looked up to check after finishing the first playthrough. Apparently, the game forces you to have the same ending on the first playthrough regardless of whatever choice you made, which sort of defeats the point of having multiple endings and providing choices. I'm certainly not going to go through all the endings of a boring story just to get the true ending.”
  • graphics100 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received high praise for their stunning visuals, clean art style, and impressive character designs, contributing significantly to the overall atmosphere and emotional impact. While some reviewers noted that the art style may lack uniqueness compared to predecessors like Steins;Gate, the dynamic lighting and attention to detail in backgrounds enhance the visual experience. Additionally, the game effectively utilizes graphic imagery to complement its psychological horror themes, making it appealing to fans of the genre.

    • “The graphics are out of this world.”
    • “The visuals are stunning, with subtle shaders for different backgrounds and with a great UI design.”
    • “What truly amazed me was the care and effort put into every background, every item artwork, and even at the lighting presented throughout the game.”
    • “The art style, while clean, definitely feels like it has less personality too.”
    • “Though I do admit that some zoom-ins of the background and character artwork were so pixelated I suffered.”
    • “Despite its seemingly cheerful visuals, it's definitely not for the faint of heart.”
  • gameplay100 mentions

    The gameplay in "Chaos;Child" is primarily focused on narrative, characteristic of visual novels, with minimal interactive elements such as the 'delusion trigger' and mapping mechanics. While some players appreciate the story and multiple endings, many criticize the gameplay for being repetitive and lacking depth, often feeling more like reading a book than engaging with a game. Overall, those seeking traditional gameplay experiences may find it lacking, while fans of story-driven content may enjoy the unique narrative twists.

    • “There are several endings and the game mechanics deciding which path the narration takes are actually curious.”
    • “During gameplay, you can experience lots and lots of thrilling and horror parts, which were fine by me.”
    • “Once you get the first ending, the delusion trigger system will lead you to more routes and endings, which explore the characters and themes in even more depth, as well as providing hints to piece together what's really going on.”
    • “The game's central gameplay mechanic, the 'delusion trigger' serves as a microcosm of what's wrong with this game.”
    • “It's a mechanic lacking sufficient premise, even if it might be explained later, and always feels extraneous.”
    • “From a gameplay perspective, it's a bizarre and arbitrary mechanic that's incongruous with the other parts of the game, like if final rounds in a fighting game made players finish opponents off with a pong match.”
  • atmosphere70 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is generally praised for its immersive and creepy qualities, effectively building tension and dread throughout the experience. While the soundtrack and sound effects enhance the mood, some reviewers noted that the music lacks memorability compared to previous titles in the series. Overall, the game successfully creates a compelling atmosphere, though it may not fully capture the psychological horror essence of its predecessors.

    • “The overall quality is good, and the atmosphere is really immersive.”
    • “This game builds an excellent atmosphere of dread for the majority of its runtime, which puts the highly compressed anime to shame.”
    • “Chaos;Child absolutely nails the grim and disturbing atmosphere when it needs to be creepy, and pulls your heartstrings when it wants to be emotional.”
    • “My only issue is that this game slightly lacks the psychological horror atmosphere that the first captured so well.”
    • “The story is just 30% and the rest is just useless dialogue that doesn't really do a good enough job at either: adding to the story, creating convincing bonds, setting the atmosphere or anything, it's just non-important conversation.”
    • “But all it does is wrecking the pacing of the story and its overall atmosphere.”
  • character development68 mentions

    Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising the depth and progression of key characters like Takuru and Serika, while others criticize the protagonist's development as lacking compared to previous titles like Steins;Gate. Many reviews highlight the balance of slice-of-life elements with mystery, allowing for meaningful character growth, though pacing issues and generic character designs detract from the overall experience for some. Overall, while there are standout moments and strong character arcs, the execution varies, leading to a polarized reception among players.

    • “The plot and character development in here are literally fire.”
    • “Takuru is a complex yet realistic and likable protagonist with the best character development I've seen in any protagonist.”
    • “Character development is stellar and, like in any sci-adv game, no character is useless, filler, or a plot device - they all have their motives and interests to pursue which makes the storyline feel natural and logical.”
    • “However, the character development of the protagonist is poor in this game.”
    • “In whichever novel you read, character development is essential, because if not done correctly, the readers won't be able to understand the main character's motive and/or even if they do understand him, they will not be able to sympathize with him.”
    • “Of course, I still haven't finished the game yet, but truth be told, it is incredibly painful having to endure this poor character development unfold before my eyes... guess I should be glad that the plot, on the other hand, is fantastic.”
  • humor48 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, featuring both dark and absurd comedic moments that often stem from the delusion trigger system, which many players found hilarious and entertaining. While some scenes are described as cringe-worthy or forced, others provide welcome levity amidst the game's brutal and grotesque themes. Overall, the humor balances between light-hearted and perverse, contributing to the game's unique tone, though it may not resonate with everyone.

    • “The delusion trigger system is fantastic, though, and really offers some hilarious choices throughout the story.”
    • “Well-written characters, very interesting story, top-notch art, a perfect balance of humor and despair.”
    • “Chaos;child has it all: well-crafted characters full of charm, slice of life with funny dialogues and scenarios, horror with gore, tension and dramatic moments, multiple plot twists, amazing soundtrack which will set the mood instantly, also don't forget about different endings.”
    • “The humor relies heavily on repetitive anime references that quickly lose their charm.”
    • “The jokes often feel forced and fail to land, making the comedic moments fall flat.”
    • “The attempts at humor are overly reliant on clichés, resulting in a lack of originality.”
  • grinding12 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious, particularly when it comes to completing all routes and endings, as it requires repetitive text skipping and careful navigation through choices. While the main story is engaging and offers good writing, the structure necessitates multiple playthroughs that can detract from the overall experience. Despite these frustrations, many still feel that the game provides good value for its length and entertainment.

    • “Whilst I would have seen all the endings anyway, I would have preferred to have individual choices be able to select each route, rather than a tedious skipping through all the text for the fifth time, pausing whenever there's a delusion trigger, checking that I've done it right, reloading when I've done it wrong, etc.”
    • “Having to skip through the early story chapters multiple times after your first playthrough to get all the regular endings (which is required for the true ending) is quite tedious.”
    • “In my opinion, it could have done a much better job of taking advantage of it being a game to cut down on the boring and tedious parts significantly.”
  • optimization10 mentions

    The optimization of the game is generally praised for its exceptional voice acting and sound design, which effectively enhance the overall atmosphere and tension. However, there are noted performance issues that detract from the experience, suggesting that while the artistic elements shine, technical optimization may need improvement.

    • “The sound design and soundtrack are eerie, creepy, and haunting at times; there are many genuinely tense and scary moments, where the tension is so fully realized by combining sounds, writing, and acting performances. Reading on for too long in those moments might prove painful, yet one can hardly stop as long as the rhythm doesn’t relent.”
    • “The voice actors did an amazing job with their line delivery, and the protagonist Miyashiro is voiced by Kirito's VA, who reminds us that he is actually a good voice actor who puts his all into his career and tries to deliver a quality performance.”
    • “But if you are not a shipper, Uesaka Sumire gave an excellent performance as well; I highly recommend her for any seiyuu fan out there.”
    • “Performance issues”
    • “Performance issues”
    • “Performance issues”
  • replayability4 mentions

    The game offers decent replayability for beginners due to its multiple routes and delusion triggers, making it a good starting point for those new to visual novels. However, once players have explored all content, many feel there is little incentive to replay it.

    • “Overall, I'd recommend this game for beginners who want a strong start when it comes to reading and playing visual novels, as the delusion triggers and multiple routes significantly enhance the replayability.”
    • “The multiple routes and delusion triggers provide a fresh experience with each playthrough, making it highly replayable.”
    • “Replayability is a key feature of this game, with various choices leading to different outcomes that encourage players to explore every possibility.”
    • “I don't think I will ever play it again now that I've done everything - visual novels have little replayability.”
    • “I don't think I will ever play it again now that I've done everything - visual novels have little replayability.”
  • stability2 mentions

    The reviews indicate that the game's stability is questionable, as players experience significant emotional reactions to in-game events, suggesting a lack of confidence in the character's abilities and overall gameplay stability.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

81% average critic score

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Play time

50hMedian play time
40hAverage play time
5-65hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs

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