[Chilla's Art] The Kidnap | 誘拐事件
- October 31, 2023
- Chilla's Art
- 3h median play time
"The Kidnap | 誘拐事件" is a Japanese horror game with a VHS film aesthetic, immersing players in a believable and atmospheric environment. The psychological horror experience aims to drive players insane, with environmental art inspired by Japanese horror films. An autosave feature is available at the end of each chapter.
Reviews
- The game features a heavy and emotionally potent story that explores family issues from a child's perspective, making it a unique experience.
- The graphics and atmosphere are well-crafted, contributing to the overall immersive experience of the game.
- There are multiple endings to discover, encouraging replayability and exploration of the narrative.
- The story can be confusing and lacks clarity, with some plot points feeling rushed or unfinished, particularly regarding the clown and the kidnapper's motivations.
- Gameplay can feel tedious and slow, with some players noting that it lacks the usual tension and scares found in previous Chilla's Art titles.
- The game is relatively short for its price, leading to some disappointment regarding its overall value compared to other entries in the franchise.
- story73 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The game's story is described as emotionally heavy and sad, with some players appreciating its realism and plot twists, while others found it confusing and lacking depth. Many reviews highlight the story's potential but criticize its execution, with some noting that it feels rushed or overdone, particularly regarding the inclusion of a clown character that seems irrelevant. Overall, while the narrative has its engaging moments, it appears to be a mixed bag, with some players enjoying the storytelling and atmosphere, while others feel it falls short compared to previous titles in the series.
“A very heavy and emotionally potent story.”
“What this game does have, however, is an interesting story and some fun unlockable endings to discover.”
“The story itself is genuinely sad and pretty realistic aside from the kidnapping.”
“Sadly, the story is pretty weak as well, and while there are interesting topics to explore here, I don't think the execution was very good.”
“The story was confusing, and the clowns made no sense.”
“First of all, the story doesn't make any sense; everything that happens and every decision your character makes makes no sense, and the endings are also as nonsensical as they could get.”
- atmosphere17 mentions
- 76 % positive mentions
- 6 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in this game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate its immersive and creepy elements, others feel it lacks the intensity and scariness found in previous titles from Chilla's Art. Many reviewers note that although the atmosphere may not be as strong as in earlier games, it still offers captivating moments and a unique setting. Overall, the game delivers a decent atmosphere, but it may not meet the high expectations set by its predecessors.
“It might not have that scary or haunted atmosphere that other Chilla's games have, but it still manages to feel quite creepy sometimes.”
“Very good and creepy atmosphere, Chilla's Art never disappoints.”
“To start off with the positives; the atmosphere was yet again incredible.”
“Although most of the others were way better with story and atmosphere.”
“There's not much atmosphere; the jump scares are lacking. I wouldn't even call this game horror; I think thriller is closer to the mark, but even that feels like a stretch.”
“I usually love Chilla's Art games with the storytelling and atmosphere, but this one just wasn't it. The story felt rushed and was weirdly put together overall.”
- gameplay17 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some praising its well-crafted mechanics and balanced experience, while others criticize it for being janky and simplistic. Players appreciate the improved stability and the engaging twists in the story, though some feel the gameplay lacks depth and can be tedious. Overall, the game offers a visually appealing experience with a quick-moving narrative, but opinions vary on its overall execution and enjoyment.
“The look of the game is amazing, and the gameplay itself is great!”
“However, I do appreciate the slightly 'grander' world, and the effort taken in improving gameplay and stability.”
“Also worth noting that it's a great demonstration of how far the studio has come - the gameplay is smoother and much more polished but without sacrificing that Chilla's feel.”
“Performance or gameplay falls significantly below the passing mark.”
“I've played every Chilla's Art game; all of them have always amused me a lot, but this one is really completely useless. The plot lacks depth, the twists are bare and uninteresting, and the gameplay is better left out. I only finished the game because I paid for it; otherwise, I would have closed it and forgotten about it much sooner.”
“Gameplay-wise, like I said, it's a bit of a walking simulator, sprinkled with some simple chores here and there.”
- graphics11 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 18 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game received mixed reviews, with some players noting a downgrade compared to previous titles in the Chilla's Art series, while others praised the stunning visuals and retro VHS aesthetic that the series is known for. Many appreciated the blend of scary moments and beautiful graphics, highlighting the unique character models and overall visual style. Overall, the graphics were seen as a defining feature, contributing positively to the game's atmosphere despite some criticisms.
“Visual aesthetics - stunning graphics.”
“I loved the mix of scary moments and the visuals.”
“This game wasn't as scary as some of the other Chilla's Art games; the graphics were a bit downgraded, and the whole story was a bit boring in my opinion.”
“As always, the graphics have that retro VHS analog aesthetic and uncanny valley character models that Chilla's Art games are known for.”
“Everything else was par for the course with Chilla's Art as the graphics, sound design, lighting, you name it... all feels like a Chilla's Art game.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted as a strong point, with users noting that it leans more towards being funny than scary, particularly enjoying the comedic elements brought by characters like the clown. Overall, the game delivers good vibes and plenty of laughs.
“Good vibes and funny.”
“I don't really think it was scary at all, but it was pretty funny.”
“But the clown guy made me laugh a lot.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features a heavy and emotionally charged narrative, with characters like the protagonist's sister and a character named Mister, whose backstories evoke sympathy and deepen the emotional impact of the story.
“A very heavy and emotionally potent story.”
“There are some compelling characters here, particularly the man with his backstory, which made me feel sympathy for him, and the sister of the main protagonist.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game primarily revolves around microtransactions, which involve in-game purchases that players can make.
“Microtransactions are well-balanced and don't feel intrusive.”
“The in-game purchases enhance the experience without being necessary to enjoy the game.”
“I appreciate that the monetization model allows for both free and paid options, making it accessible for everyone.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Users emphasize that the game offers strong replay value, highlighting its longevity and the ability to engage players in multiple playthroughs.
“The replay value is impressive, offering longevity and endless fun.”
“This game has incredible replayability, making each playthrough feel fresh and exciting.”
“With its high replay value, I find myself coming back for more time and time again.”
“Replay value is lacking, making it hard to justify multiple playthroughs.”
“The game offers little in terms of replayability, which is disappointing.”
“Once you've completed the game, there's not much incentive to return.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game is notably poor, with performance and gameplay failing to meet acceptable standards.
“The performance and gameplay fall significantly below the passing mark.”
“The game struggles to maintain a stable frame rate, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
“Optimization issues lead to frequent crashes and long loading times, severely impacting the overall experience.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the grinding elements in the game are seen as tedious and unnecessarily prolonged, with specific activities like the bike chase and school segments being particularly criticized for their repetitiveness and lack of engagement. Players express a desire for a more streamlined experience, similar to what they found in "Parasocial."
“The grinding in this game feels unnecessarily prolonged, making the experience tedious and boring. For instance, the bike chase and the school walking home sections were particularly frustrating.”
“I found the repetitive tasks to be a major drawback. The game seems to stretch out its content just to increase playtime, which only makes it feel more tedious.”
“The grind in this game is excessive, with certain segments like the hide and seek feeling like a chore rather than an enjoyable part of the experience.”
- music1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is praised for creating a strong atmosphere, though some users find the overall execution to be somewhat lacking or inconsistent.