[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 an interesting story with multiple endings that can be explored.
- The atmosphere and graphics are well-crafted, providing a visually appealing experience.
- Some players found the game to be genuinely scary and enjoyed the unique perspective of a child's view on horror.
- The story is often described as confusing and lacking depth, with many plot points feeling unfinished or nonsensical.
- Gameplay is criticized for being slow and tedious, with some players feeling it drags on without meaningful engagement.
- Many reviews mention that the game is not as scary as previous Chilla's Art titles, leading to disappointment among fans.
- story147 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The story of this game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its emotional depth and plot twists, while others found it confusing, lacking coherence, or overly simplistic. Many noted that the narrative touches on serious real-life issues, making it more poignant, but also criticized the execution and pacing, particularly regarding the inclusion of elements like the clown, which felt disconnected from the main plot. Overall, while some players enjoyed the storytelling and atmosphere, others felt it fell short compared to previous titles from the developer.
“What this game does have, however, is an interesting story and some fun unlockable endings to discover.”
“I also really loved Night Delivery and Hanako, but this one had great storytelling and the situations that the little boy had to go through were making me feel quite helpless.”
“Out of all the Chilla's Art games, this one feels the most real in some story aspects as it deals with a really heavy and emotional situation, something that still sadly happens to this day, and they handled it in a serious way which helps bring awareness to this topic.”
“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.”
“First of all, the story doesn't make any sense; everything that happens and every decision your character makes makes no sense, the endings are also as nonsensical as they could get.”
“The meat of this game should be its story, but it's simply lacking.”
- atmosphere34 mentions
- 76 % positive mentions
- 15 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in this game is generally described as immersive and captivating, though it lacks the intense horror elements found in previous Chilla's Art titles. While some players found it to be creepy and memorable, others noted a decline in the overall quality of the atmosphere and storytelling, suggesting it feels more like a thriller than a horror game. Overall, opinions are mixed, with some praising the atmosphere while others feel it falls short compared to earlier entries in the series.
“Very good and creepy atmosphere, Chilla's Art never disappoints.”
“Immersive atmosphere and some genuinely terrifying and intense moments.”
“To start off with the positives; the atmosphere was yet again incredible.”
“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 when saying it.”
“Although most of the others were way better with story and atmosphere.”
“I usually love Chilla's Art games with the storytelling and atmosphere, but this one just wasn't it. It could entirely be my problem, but the story felt rushed and it was weirdly put together overall.”
- gameplay34 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some praising its well-crafted mechanics and improved polish, while others criticize it for being janky and simplistic. Players appreciate the engaging story and surprising twists, but some feel the gameplay lacks depth and is reminiscent of a walking simulator. Overall, the experience ranges from enjoyable to disappointing, depending on individual expectations.
“The look of the game is amazing, and the gameplay itself is great!”
“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.”
“90-120 minutes of gameplay (if you're looking for all the collectibles), a quick moving story that gets to the point and the twist involving your sister really surprised me!”
“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 any bite, the twists are bare and unconvincing, and the gameplay is better left out. I only reached the end of 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.”
- graphics22 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game received mixed reviews, with some players praising the stunning visuals and retro VHS aesthetic typical of Chilla's Art games, while others noted a downgrade in quality compared to previous titles. Many appreciated the unique character models and atmospheric design, but a few felt that the overall graphics did not deliver the same impact as earlier entries in the series. Overall, the visuals were generally well-received, contributing positively to the game's vibe and experience.
“Visual aesthetics - stunning graphics.”
“Great game, love the upgraded style and graphics; the story was alright, plot twists were great, and it also had a decently long runtime.”
“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.”
- humor6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted as a strong point, with players finding it entertaining rather than scary, particularly enjoying the comedic antics of a clown character. Overall, the game is described as having a lighthearted and funny atmosphere.
“I don't really think it was scary at all, but it was pretty funny.”
“But the clown guy made me laugh a lot.”
“Good vibes and funny”
- emotional5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its emotionally potent narrative, particularly through the backstories of characters like Mister and the protagonist's sister, which evoke sympathy and depth. It tackles serious, real-world issues in a way that raises awareness, making it one of the more impactful entries in Chilla's Art collection. Overall, the emotional weight of the story resonates strongly with players.
“A very heavy and emotionally potent story.”
“Out of all the Chilla's Art games, this one feels the most real, at least in some story aspects, as it deals with a really heavy and emotional situation, something that still sadly happens to this day. They handled it in a serious way, which helps bring awareness to this topic.”
“There's some okay characters here, namely Mister with his backstory, which made me feel sorry for him, and the sister of the main protagonist.”
- monetization4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game primarily revolves around microtransactions, which involve various in-game purchases. This model is consistently highlighted across multiple reviews, indicating a significant focus on additional spending within the game.
- replayability4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Users consistently highlight the game's strong replay value, emphasizing its longevity and the ability to enjoy multiple playthroughs. This suggests that the game offers varied experiences that encourage players to return.
“The replay value is impressive, offering both longevity and a fresh experience each time.”
“I love the replayability; it keeps the game feeling new and exciting with every playthrough.”
“The game's replay value is outstanding, ensuring that I can enjoy it for a long time.”
“Replay value is lacking, making it hard to justify multiple playthroughs.”
“The game offers little incentive to replay, as the experience feels the same each time.”
“Once you finish the game, there's not much left to draw you back for another run.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game is widely criticized, with users reporting that performance and gameplay are notably subpar, failing to meet acceptable standards.
“Performance or gameplay falls significantly below the passing mark.”
“Performance or gameplay falls significantly below the passing mark.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding elements of the game tedious and unnecessarily prolonged, with specific activities like the bike chase and school segments being particularly criticized for their repetitiveness and lack of engagement. Many feel that these aspects detract from the overall experience, especially when compared to other titles like "Parasocial."
“The game feels like it's just padding out the experience with tedious tasks that are boring to redo, like the bike chase and the school walking home.”
“The grinding in this game is excessive, making it feel more like a chore than an enjoyable experience.”
“I found myself stuck in repetitive tasks that dragged on for too long, making the overall experience frustrating.”
- music2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music and atmosphere of the game are generally appreciated, contributing positively to the overall experience, though some users note that the execution feels somewhat janky.