Cinders

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"Cinders" is a single-player mystery role-playing game with a fabulous story, delightful graphics, and awesome music. The game allows you to break the classic fairytale mold and explore multiple endings, 120 decision points, and over 300 choices, resulting in a highly emotional and unique atmosphere. With plenty of humor and replayability, "Cinders" offers a fresh take on the story of Cinderella and the lives of four women.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

88%

Audience ScoreBased on 832 reviews

story285 positive mentions

grinding24 negative mentions

Stunning visuals and beautiful artwork that enhance the storytelling experience.
Engaging and complex characters, including a well-developed protagonist and nuanced relationships.
Multiple endings and choices that genuinely impact the story, providing high replay value.

Some dialogue can be preachy or repetitive, detracting from the overall experience.
Limited character development for some male love interests, making them feel less engaging.
The game can feel short, and some players may find it tedious to replay for all endings due to repetitive dialogue.

story
925 mentions
31 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The story of "Cinders" is a modern retelling of the classic Cinderella tale, featuring a richly developed narrative that allows players to make impactful choices that shape the protagonist's character and the story's outcome. While the artwork and character depth are praised, some players find the story repetitive after multiple playthroughs, with certain plot elements feeling unresolved. Overall, it offers a compelling mix of familiar themes and fresh perspectives, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of visual novels.
- “Great visual novel, was a lovely time revisiting this rare gem of a game I discovered back in 2012 :) I love these characters and this amazing story and I wish there was a sequel!”
- “The story is deep with characters who each have their own agenda, morals, goals, and struggles in life.”
- “Cinders is a beautifully illustrated visual novel with a fascinating story, and some cool achievements.”
- “I've read quite a few visual novels and other similar story-driven games, and this was the first time I was not able to care about any of the characters.”
- “Maybe it is because the game tried to do so much with the variety of routes and endings that the characters ended up falling rather flat, making a well-written story unable to engage readers on an emotional level.”
- “The real problem with this game is that we already know the story, so something needs to be added to it to maintain our interest.”
graphics
356 mentions
66 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning and beautiful art style, featuring vibrant colors, detailed character designs, and atmospheric backgrounds that enhance the storytelling experience. Many reviewers highlight the dynamic artwork and subtle animations that bring the visuals to life, making it a visually engaging experience. However, some mention that while the artwork is impressive, the overall replay value may diminish as the dialogue and visuals can become repetitive after multiple playthroughs.
- “The artwork is gorgeous, vibrant colors and detailed characters; I loved how as you got each ending it added to the title screen.”
- “The artwork in this is gorgeous; each scene is vibrant and full of life, filled with detail and a saturation which gives the impression of a fantasy world, bordering on a fairy tale.”
- “The art style is one of the most beautiful I have seen and the different background scenery is really atmospheric.”
- “It's bad writing, cliched characters and awful graphics.”
- “This was a horrible game with very old graphics.”
- “Steam says the release date is in 2014 but the graphics are like games from the 1980s.”
music
256 mentions
60 % positive mentions
37 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric quality and ability to enhance the overall experience, with many describing it as beautiful and fitting for the fairy tale theme. However, some reviewers noted a lack of variety, leading to moments of repetitiveness, while others found it to be largely unmemorable. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a highlight, complementing the stunning artwork and engaging storytelling.
- “The music sets the mood perfectly, from whimsical to 'plotting my escape from the ball' vibes.”
- “The whimsical and atmospheric soundtrack brings the world to life, building on the fairy tale impression created by the artwork.”
- “The soundtrack creates the perfect ambiance and it is simply exquisite to listen to.”
- “Music is atmospheric, though largely unmemorable.”
- “The music is honestly pretty forgettable.”
- “There isn't a lot of variation in the music, but what's there is fine; it never got grating.”
replayability
99 mentions
37 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The game offers a high level of replayability due to its multiple endings and decision points, allowing players to explore different narrative paths and character dynamics. However, some reviewers noted that the experience can become repetitive due to recycled dialogue and a relatively short overall story, which may limit long-term engagement. Overall, while the game is visually stunning and enjoyable, its replay value may be best appreciated during sales or after the initial playthrough.
- “With over 120 decision points and multiple endings, this visual novel has very high replayability.”
- “The many different paths and endings you can achieve give the game a high level of replayability, along with the handy 'skip' button (which stops automatically whenever you encounter a new scene or piece of dialogue you haven't seen before).”
- “I played it obsessively to unlock all 4 endings before taking a break, and I still have plenty of replayability.”
- “There's not much replay value once you play through a few times, but the artwork is beautiful and the dialogue is good.”
- “Lots of ending variations, but since replayability is limited by lots of recycled text between routes, I recommend getting it on sale.”
- “You can finish most, if not all, endings in one sitting, so it unfortunately has little replay value story-wise.”
atmosphere
56 mentions
82 % positive mentions
13 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique blend of whimsical and sinister elements, enhanced by beautiful artwork and an atmospheric soundtrack that immerses players in a fairy tale world. Reviewers highlight the depth and complexity of the characters, as well as the stunning backgrounds that evoke a magical ambiance, making the experience feel both authentic and engaging. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as captivating and integral to its storytelling, inviting players to fully experience its enchanting environment.
- “The whimsical and atmospheric soundtrack brings the world to life, building on the fairy tale impression created by the artwork.”
- “You have to experience it yourself; the atmosphere is so immersive you feel like you are part of a fable.”
- “The lovely, rustic art style, one of the first things to catch my attention: a right mix of dark and heavy, as well as stunning, colorful fairy tale scenery, which creates the perfect atmosphere for the story's theme.”
- “The music also contributes to this atmosphere, setting the tone for each scene.”
- “What really emphasizes the atmosphere is the music.”
- “The background music manages to add to the atmosphere of the story instead of being an annoyance.”
character development
38 mentions
47 % positive mentions
37 % neutral mentions
16 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while some female characters exhibit strong growth and personality, many others, including key figures like love interests and the stepmother, feel flat and underdeveloped. Players noted that interactions with characters are often brief and lack depth, leading to a sense of rushed or incomplete development. Overall, the game struggles to balance its beautiful art and design with meaningful character arcs, leaving some players disappointed.
- “Cinders is less of a romance and more of a player-dependent, character development story of the main protagonist.”
- “All of the female characters had a great personality and character development and growth.”
- “Some fantastic character development with the sisters, but the love interests and the stepmother could use work.”
- “For a game that focuses heavily on character development, it felt off-putting to have very few brief interactions with the other characters.”
- “The characters are flat and lifeless; there is no character development.”
- “Lack of, or rushed character development: pacing feels off somehow, and it gives you a feeling that everything is happening too fast.”
gameplay
36 mentions
22 % positive mentions
69 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized as a typical visual novel experience, focusing on reading dialogue and making choices that influence the story and character relationships. While it offers replayability and a good skipping mechanic, some players find it passive and short, with a single run taking about 1.5-2 hours. Critics note that the lack of additional gameplay elements and the sometimes unclear impact of choices can lead to a less engaging experience after the initial playthrough.
- “The gameplay is pretty simple and typical of a visual novel: you click through the screens, reading a lot of dialogue and sometimes making choices that push the story forward.”
- “Mechanically, the game focuses on role-playing through dialogue choices and what you select impacts both your ability to explore the world and meet people, and the relationship you have with other characters.”
- “Awesome aesthetics, relaxing gameplay, amazing characters.”
- “The gameplay feels so passive and slow, and the writing is so terrible -- especially the dialogue.”
- “However, for a $20 visual novel, the gameplay is very short and routes compared to other visual novels I have played.”
- “I wouldn't recommend buying at full price; after the first gameplay, it gets kind of boring when trying to reach alternative endings.”
humor
28 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game features a clever and engaging sense of humor, with witty dialogue and amusing banter that often elicits genuine laughter. While some conversations may lean towards the repetitive or cliché, the overall writing balances serious themes with humor effectively, making it enjoyable even for those not typically fans of the genre. The combination of beautiful art and well-crafted characters enhances the comedic experience, resulting in a narrative that is both thought-provoking and entertaining.
- “The writing is clever and has made me laugh out loud several times.”
- “The game is also filled with some excellent dry humor, and amusing banter.”
- “A beautifully illustrated visual novel with wonderfully clever dialogue which had me laughing to myself not five minutes in.”
grinding
26 mentions
8 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
92 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, especially when attempting to unlock all ending variations, as the repetitive nature of the story and the need to replay from the beginning can become frustrating. While some appreciate the lack of traditional stat grinding, the overall experience can feel drawn out and preachy, detracting from the enjoyment of the narrative and character interactions. Fast-forward options help, but many still feel that the game becomes monotonous after multiple playthroughs.
- “Exactly one hour was actually playing; the rest was achievement grinding.”
- “There isn't much variation to the story no matter what ending you pursue, making it extremely repetitive and tedious when trying to explore all the game's content.”
- “Repeating the game can feel very tedious after the fourth or fifth playthrough, even though it lets you fast forward through conversations that you've already seen.”
emotional
20 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its heartwarming moments and genuine character development, particularly in its nuanced portrayal of traditionally villainous characters, which fosters empathy. However, some players feel that the variety of routes and endings can dilute character depth, leading to a less engaging emotional experience. The game's music effectively enhances the emotional atmosphere, while the realistic depiction of complex relationships, such as the emotionally abusive stepmother, adds depth to the narrative.
- “But fear not, there's still room for heartwarming moments and genuine character development.”
- “This is basically a really good retelling of the Cinderella story with a more believable main character, 'villains' who are not just evil for the sake of being evil. This retelling made me feel more sympathetic for the 'evil stepsisters' than Cinders at times, even the stepmother, and a ton of believable alternative endings.”
- “Such attention to identity helps in the establishment of an emotional link between you and Cinders' world.”
monetization
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The reviews do not provide specific insights into the monetization aspect of the game, focusing instead on its mature themes and character ambiguity. Therefore, no clear summary regarding monetization can be drawn from the provided texts.