Crimson Ranch
- September 24, 2020
- a_marx
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io StoreClassic 2D horror game about a lone roamer decides to retrieve a satanic book for mysterious Mr. Grey and face anthropomorphic demons in order to fulfill his childhood dream.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Crimson Ranch features a well-crafted narrative filled with strange iconography, bizarre rituals, and a unique aesthetic that enhances the horror experience.
- The game successfully creates a palpable sense of unease through its impressive sound design and atmospheric visuals, making it a captivating experience.
- Despite its short length, the game offers multiple endings and imaginative puzzles, providing replay value and a satisfying challenge for players.
- The game suffers from minor graphical glitches and some poorly translated dialogue, which can detract from the overall experience.
- Players may encounter a lack of direction at times, and the controls can feel a bit awkward, leading to potential frustration.
- There is no way to view the inventory outside of specific interactions, which can be inconvenient during gameplay.
- story14 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The story revolves around the interconnected lives of several characters at the haunted Crimson Ranch, enhanced by atmospheric elements like rain and thunder. While some reviewers noted its disjointed nature, many appreciated the well-developed narrative and striking visuals, despite its brevity. Overall, the story is described as interesting and effectively presented, contributing to the game's horror ambiance.
“Not just with text, but the story is also presented wonderfully through dramatic visuals.”
“Disjointed (story-wise) horror game.”
“The story follows the intertwining fates of several hapless characters, all set around the plantation house of Crimson Ranch.”
“Despite being on the short side, it still has a well fleshed out story to boot.”
- graphics12 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's graphics feature a refreshingly unique and unsettling aesthetic, particularly evident in the cut scenes and dramatic visuals that enhance the storytelling. While there are some minor graphical glitches and poorly translated dialogue, these issues are generally considered minor and do not detract significantly from the overall experience. Players appreciate the quality of the 2D graphics, consistent with the developer's previous titles.
“Not just with text, but the story is also presented wonderfully through dramatic visuals.”
“There are some minor graphical glitches and some of the dialogue is poorly translated, but most of these issues can be easily overlooked.”
“I love indie horror games, and I always appreciate a uniquely unsettling aesthetic, which this game has in spades.”
“Again, the aesthetic is refreshingly unique, especially during some of the cut scenes.”
- atmosphere6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with reviewers noting that while strong visual design contributes to its identity, the sound design plays a crucial role in establishing suspense and tone. The effective use of sound effects enhances the overall experience, creating a perfectly executed and immersive atmosphere.
“The sound effects are great, and definitely add to the atmosphere of the whole thing.”
“The game manages to capture suspense quite well, and the atmosphere is perfectly executed.”
“While strong visual design is important in creating the identity of a horror title, sound design is arguably more important for creating the atmosphere and tone.”
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is characterized by minor graphical glitches and occasional buggy behavior, along with poorly translated dialogue. However, these issues are generally considered minor and can be easily overlooked by players.
“Buggy at times.”
“There are some minor graphical glitches and some of the dialogue is poorly translated, but most of these issues can be easily overlooked.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Players find the game highly replayable due to the presence of unlockable achievements, many of which are influenced by player decisions, encouraging multiple playthroughs to explore different outcomes.
“To add to the replay value, there are achievements to unlock, and a few of these are dependent on the decisions you make throughout.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay aspect is highlighted through user-generated content, indicating that players are engaged enough to create and share their own gameplay experiences. This suggests a positive reception of the gameplay mechanics and overall enjoyment of the game.
