Corpse Party

77%
Game Brain Score Based on 862 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • music
Corpse Party Game Cover
For those that haven’t heard of Corpse Party, it’s a game I can’t recommend enough… unless you’re of a delicate disposition.
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In Corpse Party , a group of high school friends find themselves trapped in an alternate reality of the tragedy-stricken Heavenly Host Elementary. After performing a charm, an earthquake separates them, and they must now face the vengeful spirits of murdered children to uncover the truth and escape. The game is a Windows edition of the original Corpse Party, with horror-filled adventure and narrative-based gameplay.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Linux
  • Nintendo 3ds
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

77%
Audience ScoreBased on 862 reviews
story184 positive mentions
grinding7 negative mentions
  • Engaging and well-crafted story that keeps players hooked with multiple endings.
  • Strong character development and emotional depth, making players care about their fates.
  • Atmospheric sound design and music that enhance the horror experience.
  • Lacks CG scenes and has a different art style compared to the PSP version, which may disappoint fans.
  • Gameplay can be tedious with a lot of backtracking and unclear objectives.
  • Some voice acting is inconsistent, and certain characters may come off as annoying.
  • story433 mentions

    The story of "Corpse Party" is widely praised for its intricate and engaging narrative, which combines elements of horror, emotional depth, and character development across five chapters. Players appreciate the well-crafted plot twists and the ability to explore multiple endings, although some find certain aspects predictable or convoluted. Overall, the game is recommended for those who enjoy story-driven experiences, particularly in the horror genre, despite some criticisms regarding pacing and character design.

    • “The story is one of the game’s strongest elements, crafted to keep you hooked.”
    • “The story and narrative, the gameplay, the subtle choices you make and how they can severely impact the story, the iconic soundtrack and the pure psychological torture it immerses you into is incredible.”
    • “The story is absolutely messed up and very well written; I absolutely admire how deep and fascinating the story is.”
    • “The story is extremely boring and full of poorly written characters that try their hardest to make the dumbest possible decisions at every turn.”
    • “There's a lot to the story of this game, and even now I'm trying to process everything that happened.”
    • “While its not a bad game exactly, the story is something I didn't find impressive at all.”
  • graphics167 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment over the downgrade in art style compared to previous versions, particularly the PSP release. While some appreciate the nostalgic pixel art and find it effective in conveying horror through atmosphere and narrative, others criticize the simplistic and cartoonish character designs that detract from the game's intended tension. Overall, the visuals are seen as a significant aspect that impacts the overall experience, with many recommending the original versions for a more immersive graphical presentation.

    • “Its chilling visuals, atmospheric audio, and emotionally resonant narrative create an unforgettable gaming experience that transcends the typical horror game.”
    • “The graphics are a mixture of pixels and Japanese anime style art, but that hardly lessens the horror and chills the game provides from witnessing the paranormal, blood/gore scenes, and a mysterious murder plot.”
    • “Don't let the graphics fool you though, this game is incredibly well done and has a ton of detail put into it.”
    • “Nonetheless, the old graphics are classic, while the new character art is... a downgrade to say the least.”
    • “The graphics (especially the chibi-like avatars) feel misplaced, the characters and scares don't feel that impactful and what scarce voice acting there was was kinda grating (too high-pitched and all).”
    • “The pc version has very odd looking character models compared to the handhelds, and most unfortunately is missing a lot of artwork.”
  • music118 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the atmosphere and emotional depth of the story, with many reviewers praising the haunting and immersive soundtrack that complements the horror elements effectively. While some noted that certain tracks can feel out of place or overly upbeat at times, the overall quality and impact of the music are considered exceptional, contributing significantly to the game's suspense and emotional resonance. The combination of well-composed tracks and strategic use of sound design creates a chilling experience that keeps players engaged throughout.

    • “The minimalistic yet haunting soundtrack sets the tone, and the strategic use of ambient sounds, eerie whispers, and spine-chilling screams keeps players on the edge of their seats.”
    • “The music gives it great atmosphere and when characters go through psychological trauma, you can feel the tension.”
    • “The combination of the creepy albeit cliché setting, an outstanding soundtrack and mostly decision-based gameplay create an atmosphere that in my opinion only very few games are able to match.”
    • “Sometimes the music was overpowering the gameplay, making it hard to concentrate.”
    • “The soundtrack isn't necessarily bad but often works against making a spooky atmosphere by being really loud and energetic during exploration or quiet moments.”
    • “I saw a review of this game where someone pointed out that they felt the music was inappropriately upbeat at times and didn't gel with the mood the game was supposedly in.”
  • gameplay90 mentions

    The gameplay of "Corpse Party" is primarily focused on exploration, puzzle-solving, and backtracking, often described as simple and somewhat monotonous, with limited action elements. While the game effectively combines visual novel storytelling with adventure mechanics, many players note that it prioritizes narrative over gameplay depth, making it less appealing for those seeking action-oriented experiences. Overall, the gameplay is engaging enough for fans of story-driven games, but may not satisfy those looking for more complex mechanics.

    • “The gameplay itself surprisingly doesn't feel too tedious, but I was following a guide after the first few 'easier' chapters, so I can imagine it would prove to be quite hard navigating the map and all of the characters on your own later on.”
    • “The combination of visual novel storytelling with great voice acting and adventure, object interaction gameplay won't leave you bored.”
    • “The gameplay is easy to understand, a bit of puzzle solving, interacting with items, and running from spirits.”
    • “The gameplay isn't too much to speak of as it primarily consists of walking around, solving fairly simple puzzles and occasionally dodging enemies.”
    • “While this has polish and some decent graphics and story, the gameplay is virtually non-existent, consisting of walking and, well, the gameplay is almost 100% walking.”
    • “But even if you can ignore that, there are still some questionable gameplay design choices.”
  • atmosphere63 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unsettling and immersive qualities, effectively combining creepy visuals, a haunting soundtrack, and a gripping narrative that keeps players on edge. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke psychological horror without relying on jump scares, creating a chilling experience that resonates emotionally. Despite some criticisms regarding art style changes in newer versions, the overall ambiance remains a standout feature that enhances the horror elements and player engagement.

    • “Its ability to deliver a gripping and horrifying narrative is impressive, and it’s clear that a lot of care went into crafting its unsettling atmosphere.”
    • “Visually, Corpse Party stands out with its detailed 2D pixel art, creating an eerie and claustrophobic atmosphere that perfectly suits the game's horror themes.”
    • “The combination of the creepy albeit cliché setting, an outstanding soundtrack, and mostly decision-based gameplay create an atmosphere that, in my opinion, only very few games are able to match.”
    • “The soundtrack isn't necessarily bad but often works against making a spooky atmosphere by being really loud and energetic during exploration or quiet moments.”
    • “The sprites are too cute, so the atmosphere is a bit lost.”
    • “There’s a lot you don't get to see, like images that add to the atmosphere; the voice acting sounds pretty bad and not as good as the PSP.”
  • emotional23 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players noting its ability to deliver a powerful, heart-wrenching narrative that deeply connects them to the characters. Many reviews highlight the game's capacity to evoke a wide range of feelings, from sadness to terror, making it a memorable emotional rollercoaster. The rich storytelling, combined with atmospheric elements and character development, creates an immersive experience that resonates long after playing.

    • “For anyone who enjoys a good horror story with a strong emotional core, this game is definitely worth playing.”
    • “Its chilling visuals, atmospheric audio, and emotionally resonant narrative create an unforgettable gaming experience that transcends the typical horror game.”
    • “Seriously amazing, I cried, I laughed, I died inside, and all of it was worth it. 10/10 would feel again.”
  • character development14 mentions

    Character development in the game is praised for its depth and complexity, with players noting the significant growth of characters like Yuuya Kizami and the emotional connections formed among the cast as they navigate their harrowing circumstances. While some critiques focus on the character design changes from previous versions, the overall narrative and character arcs are considered compelling, driving players to explore multiple endings and reflect on the characters' journeys. The mix of nostalgic visuals and haunting environments further enhances the experience, making the character development a standout aspect of the game.

    • “I thought Yuuya Kizami's character development is so insane that I had to take a moment to reflect and understand what is happening. You have the average mainstream protagonists like Satoshi and really sweet but lusty ones like Seiko, then you have the double-faced characters who will not be named in this review.”
    • “This one's pretty good, with good voice acting and a compelling story along with good character development and some crazy plot twists.”
    • “With a semi-rich cast, some characters being worse than others, Corpse Party offers a lot of insight into humanity and character development as our characters realize that their only shining beacon of hope is each other.”
    • “I had mixed feelings about this one; even though it said full audio, it is nowhere near the PSP version. They removed a lot of the voice acting dialogue from the PSP version (maybe to avoid paying the copyright to use the voice actor's voice), and the character design had received a massive overhaul, making them look completely different from the old one. This is a complete come down to taste, but I prefer the old version; it made me feel more creepy when they die, and I also preferred the old art style on PSP.”
    • “What drove me to find all endings and give my all for the game is probably the characters. Let me ask, how can you change this much in character development?”
  • humor13 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as a blend of twisted, dark comedy and unintentional hilarity, often arising from character interactions and mistranslations. Players appreciate the balance between the game's serious themes and its funny moments, with characters like Seiko and the dynamics between others providing memorable comedic relief amidst the horror. Overall, the humor adds a unique layer to the emotional experience, making it both entertaining and unsettling.

    • “Seiko is funny, and you will love her just in the first chapter.”
    • “Corpse Party is a game able to simultaneously juggle the seriousness and terror that comes with the situation, as well as adding in some absolutely fantastic funny moments (I'm looking at you, Byakudan High), great character chemistry (Mayu and Shig, Naomi and Seiko, Yoshiki and Ayumi).”
    • “This game is funny, sad, creepy, messed up, and is a literal roller coaster of emotions.”
  • replayability8 mentions

    The game offers high replayability due to its multiple endings and branching story paths, encouraging players to explore different choices and uncover hidden details. Players appreciate the ability to experience alternate dialogues and endings, as well as the option to speed through dialogue, enhancing the overall replay value. Overall, the game's design fosters a strong incentive to revisit and experiment with various outcomes.

    • “The game's multiple endings and branching paths add significant replay value, encouraging players to explore different choices and uncover hidden details.”
    • “It has a lot of replay value, especially to see alternate dialogues, bad endings, different endings and get all the name tags, and the option to speed through all the dialogue facilitates that a lot!”
    • “And the replay value is actually pretty high since once you beat it with all the good endings you're like 'huh...how could I have died elsewhere?' and you go back and try and get those achievements and tags and all that.”
  • grinding8 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious, particularly when pursuing all endings, which often requires extensive navigation and the use of guides. While some enjoy the challenge and the journey, others feel that the repetitive nature of grinding detracts from the overall experience, making it feel like a waste of time and resources.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Grinding is only really a thing if you want to see all the endings.”
    • “But the tedious journey from one plot point to the next, the constant walkthrough checking, and the strange dialogue choices make this game an honest waste of time and money.”
    • “- 3 save slots per chapter can make hunting for extra endings tedious.”
  • stability3 mentions

    The game experiences notable stability issues, including glitches, slowdowns during streaming, and occasional crashes. While the graphics are generally appealing, these technical problems detract from the overall experience.

    • “I ran into a few glitches (try suspending and resuming immediately after the game starts), super slowdowns when attempting to stream to friends via Discord, and even had the game crash on me once.”
    • “- bugs, glitches, slowdowns, crashes”
    • “The game offers some nice graphics, although there are some ugly glitches here and there; it is pleasant all the same.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

66% average critic score

Buy Corpse Party

Play time

67hMedian play time
53hAverage play time
26-80hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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