[Chilla's Art] Parasocial | パラソーシャル | Game Brain

[Chilla's Art] Parasocial | パラソーシャル Game Cover

About

"Parasocial | パラソーシャル" is a Japanese horror game that places you in the perspective of a live streamer. The game features a believable environment and a VHS film aesthetic to enhance the immersive and psychological horror experience. With Japanese-inspired environment art and automatic saves after each chapter, the game will leave you feeling on edge.

Genres & Tags

Indie

Play Modes

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

[Chilla's Art] Parasocial | パラソーシャル screenshot

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,135 reviews

story108 positive mentions

stability16 negative mentions

Parasocial features a gripping story with multiple plot twists that keep players on edge and questioning who to trust.
The game effectively creates a tense atmosphere, making players feel the paranoia and fear associated with being stalked, especially in the context of being a streamer.
The graphics and overall presentation are significantly improved, showcasing Chilla's Art's growth as a developer and enhancing the immersive experience.

The game suffers from various bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, such as character animations and event triggers not functioning properly.
Some players found the pacing slow and the gameplay repetitive, particularly during the mini-games that felt like padding rather than meaningful content.
While the story is engaging, some critics felt it lacked depth and relied too heavily on familiar tropes from previous Chilla's Art titles.

story
216 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
49%
1%
The story of the game is praised for its complexity and depth, revolving around themes of obsession, paranoia, and fear, which enhances the horror experience. Many players appreciated the engaging narrative, unexpected plot twists, and character development, although some noted a few predictable elements and minor plot holes. Overall, the storytelling is considered a standout feature, making it a compelling choice for both newcomers and fans of the horror genre.
- “The story is also one of the more complex and detailed, feeling quite substantial and involved, and including a couple of significant decisions.”
- “This isn't a supernatural tale; it's a completely plausible story of obsession, paranoia, and fear, and grounding it in reality really helps the horror hit home.”
- “Brilliant game, with a creative and captivating story.”
- “The plot was predictable and unbelievable.”
- “Terribly written story.”
- “Overall, enjoyable graphic style, very surface level storytelling.”
atmosphere
92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
45%
3%
The atmosphere in Chilla's Art games is consistently praised for its ability to create a tense, unsettling experience that immerses players in a world of paranoia and fear. Reviewers highlight the effective use of visuals and sound design to evoke feelings of anxiety, making players feel as though they are constantly being watched or threatened. Overall, the atmosphere is regarded as a standout feature, enhancing the storytelling and gameplay, despite some critiques regarding interactivity and length.
- “The atmosphere and tension create an unforgettable experience.”
- “Chilla's art did very well creating an atmosphere of paranoia, where I would look behind my back every few steps when I went out of my apartment, thinking I was being followed by some weirdo stalkers.”
- “Everything in this game is so 'off' that its unsettling atmosphere is almost unrivaled.”
- “The stares from strangers mirrored the protagonist's internal turmoil, fostering an atmosphere where trust becomes something out of reach, even with your own best friend.”
- “The game does a very good job of delivering on the story... setting up an atmosphere where no matter where you are you're never going to feel comfortable... and even in one aspect... gave me a horrible image that will stick in my brain every single time I'm online during my own streams (it's always going to be in the back of my mind from this day forth).”
- “Much like the closing shift, Parasocial does a very good job of creating an unsettling, paranoid atmosphere with its visuals and sound design, as you start to feel like everyone around you could be a threat and you begin to question which characters you can trust.”
graphics
86 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
48%
3%
The graphics in the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and immersive quality, with many reviewers highlighting the significant improvements over previous titles. The unique art style, often reminiscent of PS1 aesthetics, enhances the overall atmosphere and contributes to the game's unsettling experience. Overall, players recommend maximizing graphics settings to fully appreciate the captivating artwork and engaging environments.
- “Its haunting visuals, coupled with suspenseful gameplay and unpredictable AI characters, create an immersive experience that's both terrifying and unforgettable.”
- “Every frame of Parasocial is a masterpiece, with stunning artwork that transports you to a world of beauty and intrigue.”
- “With its stunning visuals, thought-provoking narrative, and evocative music, it's a must-play for anyone who appreciates artistry in gaming.”
- “Graphics looked so bad they were scary; otherwise, I enjoyed it.”
- “Graphically, Chilla's Art continues to improve - though I do miss the charming jank of the convenience store a bit.”
- “Edit: If you put the graphics on low and the resolution low, it will work; at least it did for me.”
gameplay
48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
63%
8%
The gameplay in Chilla's Art games is generally described as engaging and atmospheric, with a mix of interactive elements and narrative depth that draws players into the game world. While some reviews note a repetitive formula and occasional dullness in gameplay, others highlight improvements in variety and mechanics, making the experience more enjoyable. Overall, the games are seen as a blend of interesting storylines and familiar gameplay styles, with potential for further innovation in future titles.
- “One of my favorites by Chilla's Art so far - the atmosphere, gameplay, and story were all great.”
- “The gameplay was fun and the story was engaging with interesting and creepy characters.”
- “The best story written by Chilla's by far, really interesting gameplay and a super tense atmosphere as always.”
- “Chilla's art games have already nailed the atmosphere and story elements, and the only thing they are missing is more interactivity and gameplay/puzzle sections.”
- “I wouldn't even watch gameplay of this; it's that boring. I think I'm just going to stay away from this developer because the three games I've played have been boring.”
- “Every game has pretty much the same formula of gameplay and janky controls.”
music
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
46%
13%
The music in "Parasocial" is widely praised for its hauntingly beautiful melodies that enhance the game's emotional depth and immersive atmosphere. Reviewers highlight the standout quality of the soundtrack, particularly the credits song, which is described as a "bop" and a potential party anthem. Overall, the music is considered a significant artistic achievement that complements the game's visuals and narrative.
- “And then there's the music – hauntingly beautiful melodies that linger in your mind long after you've put down the controller.”
- “The soundtrack of Parasocial is a work of art in its own right, enhancing the emotional impact of every scene and drawing you further into the game's immersive world.”
- “With its stunning visuals, thought-provoking narrative, and evocative music, it's a must-play for anyone who appreciates artistry in gaming.”
- “That song in the credits is quite illegal.”
- “Ps: the credits song is a bop.”
- “I hope the end credit song for this game goes on Spotify.”
stability
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game has been criticized for its numerous bugs and glitches, including issues with textures, animations, and NPC interactions, which significantly detract from the overall experience. While some players noted that the developers are addressing these issues quickly, the frequency of glitches has led to frustration, with many reporting the need to restart the game multiple times. Overall, while the game has potential, its stability remains a significant concern for players.
- “Unfortunately, the number of texture, animation, and NPC glitches and bugs is incredible. This feels like the same game thawed for the 283rd time, using exact locations from previous titles and hiding them as 'funny allusions' to conceal the fact that the developers are simply doing factory work in video game form.”
- “Though my biggest complaint is the fact that this game has way too many bugs and glitches.”
- “However, the amount of times I have repeatedly restarted this game because of glitches, bugs, and errors is ridiculous.”
humor
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as a well-crafted blend of creepy and funny moments, often enhanced by glitches and bugs that add an unexpected comedic element. Players appreciate the mix of humor and horror, noting that it elicits genuine laughter, especially during tense situations. However, some critiques mention that the humor can feel repetitive, relying on familiar locations and allusions from previous titles.
- “A very funny bug I found was pausing the game when someone enters the elevator.”
- “The jank, the humor, the scares and the anxiety they induce was exceptionally well crafted, this time!”
- “Nice mix of humor and horror, without forced jumpscares.”
emotional
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "Parasocial" is highlighted by its profound depth and complexity, effectively immersing players in the protagonist's feelings of fear and anxiety. The game's artful soundtrack amplifies the emotional impact of each scene, while the suspenseful narrative elicits strong reactions and empathy, making players feel both uncomfortable and isolated during character interactions.
- “But what truly sets Parasocial apart is its emotional depth and complexity.”
- “The soundtrack of Parasocial is a work of art in its own right, enhancing the emotional impact of every scene and drawing you further into the game's immersive world.”
- “I perceived this game as a simulation of the protagonist's emotions (fear, anxiety, etc.) and it made me feel empathy towards her difficult situation.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Character development in the game is highly praised for its depth and intricacy, with players noting the gripping storyline, impactful plot twists, and the influence of personalized decision-making on character arcs. The attention to detail in character designs and immersive environments further enhances the overall experience.
- “Played this live on Twitch and absolutely loved it; the storyline was extremely gripping, featuring character development, plot twists, and personalized decision-making.”
- “The attention to detail is simply awe-inspiring, from the intricacies of the character designs to the lush, immersive environments.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game has received outstanding praise for its optimization, with users consistently rating its performance a perfect 10/10. This indicates a highly efficient and smooth gaming experience across various systems.
- “Performance: 10/10”
- “Performance: 10/10”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
Players find the grinding aspect to be less tedious compared to previous titles, though some feel it lacks depth and polish, resembling a debut effort from the developers.
- “Grinding feels like a chore rather than an engaging part of the game.”
- “The repetitive nature of grinding makes it hard to stay invested in the game.”
- “It often feels like the game is just padding out content with unnecessary grinding.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy is subtly integrated, as the developer promotes their other games without making players feel like they are being subjected to advertisements. This approach enhances user experience while still generating revenue.
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users feel that the game lacks sufficient side activities, which limits its replayability. Adding more optional content could enhance the overall experience and encourage players to return.
- “It would be nice to have side activities to increase replayability.”
- “It would be nice to have side activities to increase replayability.”