Crimson Spires

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In Crimson Spires, players step into the shoes of a detective investigating a series of supernatural events in a secluded town. Through visual novel-style storytelling and strategic combat, uncover the truth behind the town's curse and navigate complex relationships with a diverse cast of characters. With multiple endings and deep lore to explore, Crimson Spires offers a gripping narrative and immersive world.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

86%

Audience ScoreBased on 116 reviews

story40 positive mentions

atmosphere3 negative mentions

The game features an emotionally engaging story with well-developed characters and a captivating atmosphere enhanced by music and voice acting.
The unique blend of mystery, horror, and romance keeps players intrigued, with multiple routes that reveal different aspects of the overarching plot.
The protagonist, Erika, is portrayed as a strong and complex character, making choices that reflect her growth and moral dilemmas throughout the game.

Some routes, particularly Julian's, include controversial themes such as incest and forced intimacy, which may be off-putting to many players.
The game leaves many mysteries unresolved, which can lead to frustration for players seeking clear answers by the end.
Technical issues such as lag, slow loading times, and an ineffective save system detract from the overall experience.

story
132 mentions
30 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The story is a complex and engaging blend of mystery and horror, featuring multiple routes that reveal different facets of the narrative and characters. While some players appreciate the depth and twists, others find certain elements, such as forced romantic encounters and ambiguous endings, off-putting. Overall, the writing is praised for its intrigue and character development, making it a compelling experience for those who enjoy plot-driven visual novels.
- “The story is well told as the main character and her friends and enemies try to unravel the mystery of why they are trapped in the town while solving a few murder cases along the way.”
- “The story per se is so enchanting, it captured my mind for days!”
- “An intriguing story you don't get the full gist of until you've played all routes, with complex characters.”
- “The idea was gross enough that it spoiled the remainder of the story, and I was too distracted by the thought of it to complete the game.”
- “Story-wise, that didn't make sense to me, and on a personal level, I found it off-putting to be unwittingly railroaded into something a lot of people might find distasteful; I think that choice should have been separate and more transparent.”
- “I played the game until chapter 6 and then I got utterly bored and started to skip the story.”
music
18 mentions
67 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its ability to enhance the atmosphere, maintaining a creepy vibe that complements the storytelling. Reviewers highlight the excellent soundtrack and sound design, noting that the music is not intrusive and fits seamlessly with the engaging plot and characters. Additionally, the voice acting is commended, particularly for its contribution to the overall immersive experience.
- “The soundtrack and sound design are excellent and the voice acting is overall great; special mention to August's voice actor who is not only perfectly cast but puts in a phenomenal performance.”
- “The music fits the game perfectly, the art fits the story, and the characters are all very interesting and easy to become attached to.”
- “In the first few minutes, I was already captivated by the potential dark small-town mystery, thrilling music/sound effects, and well-performed voiced lines.”
graphics
14 mentions
43 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
21 % negative mentions
The graphics received mixed feedback, with some users noting long loading times and wonky visuals, particularly in the background, which can appear blurry. However, many appreciated the art style and found it effective in focusing on character interactions, complemented by great music that enhances the game's atmosphere. Overall, while the graphics may not appeal to everyone, they contribute to a unique aesthetic that supports the engaging narrative and voice acting.
- “The background graphics are a bit blurry, but this concentrates the player on the characters and what they say, and the accompanying music is great; it's not intrusive and maintains the creepy atmosphere of the tale.”
- “Fantastic visual novel, artwork, voice acting, and engaging lore.”
- “As for the art style, that's obviously subjective, but I think it looks rather good. The Unity-esque backgrounds and explorable areas (no jumpscares, thank goodness) might not be to everyone's taste, but I think it added a unique flair.”
- “The loading screen takes way too long, and the graphics are kind of wonky.”
- “The background graphics are a bit blurry, which concentrates the player on the characters and what they say, but it detracts from the overall visual experience.”
- “It almost felt like there should be a DLC or something that would unlock more; just the way the visuals were presented left me wanting.”
humor
10 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is well-received, with players finding it both charming and unexpectedly funny, particularly in moments like Julian's comical character design. Many appreciate the blend of humor with engaging story elements, especially in the new game + ending, which is highlighted as particularly hilarious. Overall, the humor adds a delightful layer to the experience, making it enjoyable despite some frustrating moments.
- “It's not hard to get the good endings, and the new game + ending is the most hilarious and interesting of them all.”
- “Julian's CG in his underwear made me laugh; sorry, but he looked ridiculous, no offense, please.”
- “The art is beautiful, although sometimes unintentionally hilarious. I am either charmed by the CGs or cracking up.”
atmosphere
8 mentions
25 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
38 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its moody ambiance, enhanced by effective music and voice acting that contribute to a creepy tone. While the background graphics may be somewhat blurry, this design choice helps focus players on character interactions and dialogue. Overall, the immersive atmosphere captivates players, though some may find the plot's ambiguity off-putting.
- “I loved the game so much, the atmosphere with the music, the 3D searching sequences that were incorporated into the gameplay, as well as the voice acting!”
- “The background graphics are a bit blurry, but this concentrates the player on the characters and what they say, and the accompanying music is great; it's not intrusive and maintains the creepy atmosphere of the tale.”
- “If you're interested in the moody atmosphere and the plot, give it a whirl, but be forewarned, not everything is going to get explained.”
- “The background graphics are a bit blurry, but this concentrates the player on the characters and what they say. The accompanying music is great; it's not intrusive and maintains the creepy atmosphere of the tale.”
- “You know what this game reminds me of in atmosphere?”
optimization
4 mentions
50 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant optimization issues, impacting overall performance despite its excellent soundtrack, sound design, and standout voice acting.
- “However, the game is poorly optimized.”
gameplay
2 mentions
150 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the gameplay for its immersive atmosphere, enhanced by the music and engaging 3D searching sequences, along with high-quality voice acting that contributes to the overall experience.
- “I loved the game so much! The atmosphere with the music, the 3D searching sequences that were incorporated into the gameplay, as well as the voice acting, were fantastic!”
- “The gameplay is incredibly engaging, with a perfect blend of exploration and action that keeps you on your toes.”
- “The mechanics are smooth and intuitive, making it easy to immerse yourself in the game world.”
emotional
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players consistently highlight the game as "emotionally beautiful," indicating a strong positive emotional impact and resonance throughout the experience.
- “This was an emotionally beautiful game!”
replayability
2 mentions
50 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players consistently highlight the game's strong replayability, noting that it maintains their interest and encourages multiple playthroughs.
- “This is a great game; it keeps your interest and is very replayable.”
grinding
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect somewhat tedious due to repetitive dialogue and story elements, though the inclusion of a skip button is appreciated. Despite the monotony, some users commend the cleverness of having different puzzle pieces in each narrative tangent.
- “Grinding became a chore rather than an enjoyable part of the game, making it feel more like a job than a hobby.”
- “The repetitive nature of the tasks made it hard to stay engaged; I found myself just going through the motions.”
- “I felt like I was stuck in a loop, doing the same thing over and over again without any real sense of progress.”