Crimson Gray

About

"Crimson Gray" is a dark, psychological visual novel following the story of two troubled individuals: a socially-withdrawn artist and a delusional serial killer. As their lives intertwine, they must confront their inner demons and grapple with the blurred line between reality and madness. With multiple endings, players' choices significantly impact the outcome of the characters' fates.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

97%

Audience ScoreBased on 608 reviews

story126 positive mentions

grinding6 negative mentions

The game features a compelling story that explores themes of mental health and the complexities of a yandere relationship, making it emotionally impactful.
The characters, particularly Lizzie and John, are well-developed and relatable, with their struggles resonating with players.
The game offers multiple endings and meaningful choices that significantly affect the narrative, encouraging replayability.

The game is relatively short, with some players feeling that the content does not justify the price, suggesting it should be on sale for a better value.
Some choices can lead to confusing outcomes, making it difficult to navigate towards the best ending without a guide.
The tone can be inconsistent, with shifts between serious themes and more absurd plot points that may not resonate with all players.

story
368 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
65%
1%
The story of the game is a compelling exploration of mental health, focusing on the relationship between a depressed protagonist and a yandere girl, Lizzie. It effectively subverts typical yandere tropes by providing depth to the characters and their struggles, while also incorporating themes of therapy and personal growth. Although the narrative is relatively short, it offers multiple endings and meaningful choices that significantly impact the story's progression, making it a standout visual novel for those interested in character-driven tales.
- “I first came to this game for the yandere tag, but I stayed for the incredibly powerful story of two broken people coming together and helping each other be better (and maybe commit fewer murders).”
- “The story discusses some heavy topics in a mature way, and the subject matter of depression and medication is really well presented and woven into the story perfectly.”
- “The story itself is very compelling; it maintains plenty of complexity while keeping the story length digestible.”
- “From a psychiatrist that doesn't act professional to [spoiler] mind-controlling drugs [/spoiler], the narrative that the story gives may shy mentally ill individuals away from treatment.”
- “I feel like Sierra Lee made a mistake here, making the story branch out so much but leaving the main plotline so lacking in length.”
- “The story between John and Lizzie is definitely emotionally compelling, and it's very interesting to explore the minute differences in Lizzie's behavior depending on John's choices, but I feel like there is simply too little content for a game that costs $9.99.”
music
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
56%
6%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and complement the story, despite its limited diversity and reliance on a few tracks. While some players found the soundtrack enjoyable and fitting, others noted its generic nature and suggested that it could benefit from a more varied composition. Overall, the music effectively supports the game's emotional tone, even if it doesn't stand out as particularly memorable.
- “Great soundtrack, good atmosphere, and even better feel to it as you replay it hoping to get all the endings.”
- “Well written story, great soundtrack that complements the tense atmosphere.”
- “The soundtrack, while not being too diverse, fits each scene very well, with several memorable peaceful melodies, as well as some intense atmospheric tunes.”
- “Lastly, there's the music - it was generic, but I also know it's an indie game so I wasn't too bothered (I ended up muting it and putting on my own tunes).”
- “So, I'll get the bad things out of the way first: there are only like three songs in the entire soundtrack, all from Kevin MacLeod, and only about three sprites total.”
- “The music budget is a bit underwhelming but understandable seeing as it's a one person production.”
graphics
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
33%
8%
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their beautiful artwork and cohesive art style, which many players found to be a delightful surprise, even if they initially had reservations. The minimalistic yet sharp design effectively conveys character emotions and complements the rich narrative, creating a warm and engaging experience. While some noted the budget constraints, the overall quality of the visuals is considered exceptional, enhancing the storytelling significantly.
- “This game has some of the most positively beautiful artwork in a visual novel.”
- “The art style that Crimson Gray offers is gorgeous, making use of a delightful color palette and a minimalistic yet sharp drawing style to convey and express the characters' outfits, bodies, and facial expressions, resulting in a very nice and warm experience.”
- “Fantastic artwork, unlike most of the modern anime designs nowadays!”
- “I assumed by the price, plot, and an art style that I wasn't the biggest fan of, that it would be another meme visual novel to read with a friend and joke about.”
- “[*]fucking gorgeous graphics.”
- “Even with the patch it is not pornographic but artistic.”
gameplay
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
63%
13%
The gameplay of the game is characterized by intuitive mechanics that enhance the storytelling experience, allowing players to make impactful choices that influence later events. While it is primarily a visual novel focused on reading and decision-making, it offers features like save files and a gallery, which add depth to the experience. Overall, players appreciate the unique mechanics and engaging narrative, though those not fond of reading may find it less enjoyable.
- “Crimson Gray has more gameplay than a lot of works of this type.”
- “Very good and interesting, with exceptional storytelling and rare mechanics - it's not a pure branching story structure; earlier decisions influence what happens in response to later choices.”
- “Starting with the obvious one, this game is a visual novel, meaning that the only gameplay you'll get out of it is choosing the course of action of the protagonist. If you are not into reading or this kind of gameplay, you probably won't be able to enjoy it.”
- “As to the gameplay, without giving up the lead, I'll just say this is not a kinetic novel.”
- “You have choices that you make that can affect the scenes you see and the way things play out, and the game has a mechanism to help you find the 'harder' endings if you do not want to just look at a guide, although whether or not you use this mechanic is up to you.”
emotional
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Crimson Grey is praised for its unexpectedly powerful emotional depth, blending romance with eerie elements to create a compelling narrative about the complex relationship between the main characters, John and Lizzie. Players appreciate the game's exploration of Lizzie's obsessive behavior, which is rooted in her emotional and mental background, leading to a touching and sometimes heart-wrenching experience. The multiple endings and dialogue variations enhance replayability, making the emotional journey impactful despite some concerns about content length relative to its price.
- “Crimson Grey is an unexpected gem of a game that I did not think would be as emotionally powerful as it was.”
- “I cried tears of sadness, tears of hope, and even tears of happiness.”
- “Personally, I was impressed that there was a true ending, while the hardest to get, makes the emotional payoff so very worth it, and before long you'll be wanting a sequel to see how their so-crazy-it-works relationship develops into their later years, because I certainly am.”
atmosphere
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
31%
19%
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a predominantly grey visual style that enhances the overall experience, complemented by a well-fitting soundtrack that, while not overly diverse, effectively supports the game's tense and eerie moments. Players appreciate the engaging and immersive environment, though some feel it could benefit from additional depth, such as more varied background music and visual elements. Overall, the atmosphere is described as compelling and integral to the storytelling, particularly reflecting the protagonist's sense of hopelessness.
- “Great soundtrack, good atmosphere, and even better feel to it as you replay it hoping to get all the endings.”
- “Well written story, great soundtrack that complements the tense atmosphere.”
- “Usually the game's atmosphere is visually grey almost completely, the music can be eerie when things are getting creepy, and usually the character you play as is hopeless right from the beginning of the game, due to his depression.”
- “The music won't blow your socks off, but it does the job well and helps enhance the atmosphere.”
- “Weather or not that was intentional, I really felt it was a small subtle way to build the game's atmosphere.”
replayability
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
36%
21%
The game offers high replayability due to its multiple endings and routes, influenced by character emotional states and relationship dynamics. While the variations provide a compelling reason to replay, the routes are closely aligned, focusing primarily on the main heroine. Achievements and bonuses further enhance replay value, although players may need guides to navigate towards the true ending effectively.
- “Replayability is also high due to the multiple endings/routes but also the many dialogue variations that are displayed depending on John's (MC) emotional state, Lizzie's stability, the state of their relationship, and previous choices.”
- “The achievements and different endings give the game more replay value, and honestly, you're probably going to have to use a guide to get the true ending.”
- “The achievements and different endings give the game more replay value, and honestly, you're probably going to have to use a guide to get the true ending. From my two tries, I don't really have a clue on how I could get it.”
- “With multiple endings, the replay value is high, and some endings also result in bonuses that can make reaching certain outcomes easier to achieve.”
- “Replayability is also high due to the multiple endings/routes, but also the many dialogue variations that are displayed depending on John's (MC) emotional state, Lizzie's stability, the state of their relationship, and previous choices.”
character development
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
The game is praised for its strong character development, moving away from typical tropes like clueless protagonists and one-dimensional yandere characters. Reviewers highlight the depth of the characters, excellent writing, and engaging storylines that enhance immersion, making it a recommended choice for fans of visual novels seeking more nuanced narratives.
- “I was surprised at the depth and the character development.”
- “Excellent writing and character designs, loved the story.”
- “All in all, I can definitely recommend this visual novel to anyone looking for something with a bit more 'slice of life' to it; whilst it may not be 100% realistic at times, the story and character designs are enough to grab the player and immerse them in the story!”
- “If you're bored of clueless main characters in visual novels, and yandere characters that have no character development, this is your game.”
- “I was surprised at the lack of depth and character development.”
- “The characters felt one-dimensional and their growth was minimal throughout the story.”
grinding
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious, particularly when trying to unlock multiple endings, despite the engaging story and clever plot twists. While the narrative is well-written and choices matter, the need for extensive playthroughs can make the experience feel laborious at times.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “At times it can feel tedious.”
- “The story is fairly short and unlocking some of the endings is a bit tedious - even with all the save slots - but again, it is well-written and surprisingly clever in its plot twists.”
humor
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as a mix of violence and absurdity, creating an oddly touching narrative about an unlikely couple amidst dark themes like big pharma conspiracies. While some players find the humor effective and engaging, others feel it may not resonate with everyone, likening it to the challenge of explaining a joke to someone who doesn't get it. Overall, the game's comedic elements contribute to its unique storytelling experience.
- “The funny thing is that I actually found this game through a YouTuber called Bijuu Mike and the video was titled 'Do Not Fall in Love with a Yandere - Crimson Gray (Part 3)...'”
- “It's a violent, funny, oddly touching little story about an unlikely couple [spoiler] and nefarious plots by big pharma [/spoiler] which can go in wildly different directions depending on the choices you make.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game offers a NSFW/18+ patch available on the developer's website, which adds a few additional scenes, indicating a monetization strategy that includes optional content for mature audiences.
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game experiences notable stability issues, with users reporting frequent glitches at various points during gameplay.
- “Another con is that the game has glitches at certain points.”
- “Another con is that the game has glitches at certain points.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game is praised for its strong optimization, with users noting a smooth experience free from stuttering or frame drops, contributing to a well-structured and visually appealing layout.
- “There's no stuttering, emotional frames and pictures; it feels well laid out.”