Crimson Gray: Dusk and Dawn

About

In "Crimson Gray: Dusk and Dawn," a direct sequel to "Crimson Gray," Lizzie, a college student with a dark past and a love for knives, struggles to balance her desires and maintain her sanity. With her boyfriend and college life as her only anchors, players must guide Lizzie through the ups and downs of her mental illness while preventing her from resorting to her old ways. This atmospheric visual novel features an unreliable narrator and subtle consequences, making every decision crucial in Lizzie's path to stability.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 100 reviews

story18 positive mentions

replayability1 negative mentions

The game offers a heartwarming and engaging story that expands on the relationship between Lizzie and John, providing a fresh perspective from Lizzie's point of view.
The writing is well-crafted, with natural dialogue and improved graphics, making it a visually appealing experience.
Fans of yandere themes will appreciate the unique mechanics and character development, as well as the humor and emotional depth present throughout the game.

The game is quite short, with many players feeling it lacks the depth and variety of choices found in the original, leading to a less compelling experience.
Some players found the abrupt ending unsatisfying, feeling that it lacked a proper conclusion and left loose threads in the story.
The reliance on specific dialogue options to achieve the true ending can be frustrating, as it may require multiple playthroughs to fully explore the narrative.

story
61 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
66%
5%
The story of the game is described as heartwarming and engaging, focusing on character development rather than a complex plot, which some players found less compelling than the original. While it serves as a satisfying continuation of the narrative, many reviewers noted its brevity and the lack of meaningful choices, leading to a somewhat condensed experience. Overall, it is appreciated for its emotional depth and character exploration, particularly from Lizzie's perspective, but some players expressed disappointment over its shorter length and limited branching paths.
- “A very heartwarming, well-told story.”
- “The story is shorter, and a bit more lightweight, since it's more about their college life together, but it's still interesting, and finishes their story perfectly.”
- “A perfect continuation of the story of Crimson Gray - it tied up the story but also left an opening for a sequel.”
- “There is just 'one ending' the true ending because if you pick the wrong option, the game literally resets to the title screen with zero context. You just lose, I guess? Zero kill screens, what a turn off... and the story... what story?”
- “Unfortunately, I find the story lacking a lot... there's really not much happening for a setting this interesting.”
- “I am sad that this story was much shorter than the original, and in some ways, the original was better.”
music
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
25%
38%
The music in the game has been well-received, with many praising its return from the previous installment, which enhances the sense of familiarity and nostalgia. Reviewers noted the effective use of melodies that complement the game's scenes, creating a calming atmosphere without becoming repetitive or annoying. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a strong aspect of the game, contributing positively to the overall experience.
- “The visuals are improved over the first game, and some of the soundtrack makes a return for this title, which is a nice touch.”
- “Music, while I had played chapter 1, felt like I returned somewhere I used to be - the melody of calmness, the change of volume and intensity were great and used very well according to what was happening in the scene - overall it was a nice implementation and it wouldn't be the same without it.”
- “The music is the same as in the original game, but not only do I not mind - I loved the soundtrack there already and having it again creates a nice feeling of familiarity.”
- “The art has improved on the already nice illustrations of the first game and the music is something you can comfortably listen to for the duration of your playtime, without it getting annoying.”
- “Music, while I had played chapter 1 music, it felt like I've returned somewhere where I used to be - the melody of calmness, the change of volume and intensity were great and used very well according to what was happening in the scene - overall it was a nice implementation and it wouldn't be the same without it.”
graphics
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
25%
38%
The graphics in this title show notable improvement over the first game, with well-crafted visuals and beautifully drawn gallery scenes. While some users expressed dissatisfaction with certain character art choices and repetitive NPC designs, the overall graphical style and attention to detail received positive feedback. The soundtrack also enhances the experience, featuring nostalgic elements from previous chapters.
- “The visuals are improved over the first game, and some of the soundtrack makes a return for this title, which is a nice touch.”
- “Graphics were well made; I wouldn't agree with some choices for character art, but nonetheless, they were really well done. The only times you get to see Lizzie (if you don't pick 'review story' at the beginning) are during the gallery scenes, and those scenes were drawn wonderfully.”
- “The graphical style was also a nice touch.”
- “The graphics do the job, and there are once again a few CGs that are unlocked in the gallery.”
- “In my opinion, the graphics are better than the first game, even if I do not like the lazy artwork, such as the same NPC character graphics for females.”
- “While the visuals are improved over the first game, I still have issues with some choices for character art.”
emotional
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized as sweet and heartwarming, particularly highlighted by a satisfying true ending that contrasts with the more somber tone of the original game. Players appreciate the touching story and the emotional scenes, which contribute to a fulfilling experience, despite some frustration in navigating the multiple endings. Overall, it offers a heartfelt journey that elevates the player's mood and encourages replayability.
- “Sweet and heartwarming.”
- “Overall, it was still a touching story, and watching Lizzie and John be happy together elevated my mood in the same way that watching everything fall apart in the first game soured it.”
- “It was subtle, funny, and heartfelt.”
humor
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of subtle wit and dark comedy, particularly through the perspective of Lizzie, who navigates her emotions and insecurities. Players appreciate the clever references to the original game, which add a rewarding layer of humor, while the exploration of complex themes provides both heartfelt moments and amusing insights into the characters' dynamics. Overall, the humor is seen as both engaging and thought-provoking.
- “There are plenty of references to the first game which is kind of rewarding and often humorous.”
- “One big difference to the original game is that we play Lizzie now and while John's depression is still an ongoing theme, the game focuses more on Lizzie's emotions, anxiety, insecurities, and fear of loss, which provides a nice change and even some elements of dark humor here and there.”
- “It was subtle, funny, and heartfelt.”
gameplay
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The gameplay is enhanced by innovative mechanics, such as hidden options and cursor locking, which effectively immerse players in the yandere experience. The perspective shift to Lizzie's decision-making process adds depth, while the introduction of new gameplay elements improves the overall experience, showcasing the developer's skill in portraying complex character mindsets.
- “I love the new mechanics like the hidden options and the option that locks your cursor. There aren't many games that portray yanderes like this.”
- “Being able to see how Lizzie goes through her decision-making from her perspective was interesting, and certain game mechanics that weren't present in the first one were surprising and made for a better overall experience.”
- “It changed the gameplay experience if you chose a different type of pill.”
- “Writing from Lizzie's perspective can't have been easy, and yet Sierra Lee does an excellent job of conveying a yandere character's mindset and perspective through subtle (and not-so-subtle) visual changes and gameplay tweaks.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers commend the character development of Lizzie, noting that the attention to detail in dialogue enhances her growth and continuity from the first game. This aspect is seen as a strong point, contributing to a deeper connection with the characters.
- “The continued character development of Lizzie and all the minor details in the dialogue are greatly appreciated, and I love how that aspect of the first game carried over.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game offers notable replayability through its multiple endings and emotionally impactful scenes, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the original.
- “There is some replayability due to multiple endings and lots of emotional scenes, so it's definitely worth it if you already liked the original game.”