DIGITAL EXORCIST case_(0);
- April 27, 2023
- COOL BEANS PRODUCTIONS
Step into a dark world where cyberdemons haunt humankind. When mutilated bodies start appearing all over this sleepy town in the Mississippi inaka, Sawyer, ex-Agency operative; now unemployed shut-in, must exorcise the demon perpetrator in this story-rich, PC-98 style adventure game.
Reviews
- The game features a captivating story with a blend of humor and horror, making it an engaging experience.
- The retro pixel art style and soundtrack are beautifully crafted, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the game.
- Despite its short length, the game is well-written and leaves players wanting more, showcasing great potential for future installments.
- The gameplay is quite simplistic, primarily involving clicking through dialogue with limited interactivity, which may not appeal to all players.
- Some players found the humor and dialogue to be overly edgy or cringeworthy, detracting from the overall experience.
- The game is very short, which may leave some players feeling unsatisfied and wishing for a more substantial experience.
- music25 mentions
- 76 % positive mentions
- 12 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its captivating and immersive quality, often describing it as mesmerizing, relaxing, and fitting perfectly with the game's atmosphere. The soundtrack, which features a mix of styles including breakcore and influences reminiscent of classic titles, enhances the overall experience and complements the stunning pixel art and engaging writing. Overall, the music is highlighted as a standout element that significantly contributes to the game's charm and appeal.
“The writing is exceptionally good, the music is mesmerizing, the graphics remind of top-notch EGA titles of the 80s.”
“Everything about it, from the design to the music to the writing, is simply immaculate vibes.”
“Within seconds of hearing the Masafumi Takada-esque music, I instantly understood what type of people made this game and who it is for.”
“The sound design and music mix just right with the visual presentation to make me feel like I'm melting in my chair.”
“The soundtrack and sound effects further help to create the paranormal/investigation atmosphere and always seem to fit the situation you are in.”
- story23 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The story has received positive feedback for its intriguing premise, engaging dialogue, and unique blend of humor and eerie elements, though some found the excessive swearing and meme references detracted from the overall atmosphere. Reviewers appreciated the pixel art and music, noting that the narrative is compelling despite its short length, with many expressing excitement for future installments. Overall, while the story is entertaining and well-written, its execution may benefit from a more cohesive tone to enhance immersion.
“I loved the story, the dialogue, the corny jokes, and the pixel art.”
“Roughly 45 minutes in, and so far, this game has a really good story going on!”
“I really like how the developers created a short, yet amazing story and can't wait to investigate more cases with my trusty companion Tomodachi.”
“I did think the meme references were a bit fourth wall breaking and maybe didn't help my immersion in the eerie worldbuilding of the story. A steamed hams reference and 4chan talk aren't exactly conducive to the serious mood of the game, and maybe were a tiny bit off overall.”
“I also think the 'about' section of the game is a bit misleading with 'four spine-chilling locations' being technically only two, unless the alleyway is counted which makes it three. Counting the forum seems a bit silly as a lot of it is just shitposting and filler memes, which really took me out of the atmosphere of the game, especially since there were some serious forum parts that were important to building up the girl's story.”
“Not a bad little time waster, just know that this isn't really a 'game' or a walking simulator per se, more like an on-rails story that has limited interactive features and a lot of dialogue.”
- graphics13 mentions
- 69 % positive mentions
- 8 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their retro-inspired art style, reminiscent of 80s EGA titles and PC-98 adventure games, which enhances the overall aesthetic appeal. Reviewers highlight the beautiful pixel art and unique scenario design, noting that the visuals complement the engaging writing and captivating music, creating an immersive experience. Overall, the game's graphics contribute significantly to its charm and nostalgic feel.
“Finally, the retro-esque art style looks quite appealing, especially for this type of game.”
“The writing is exceptionally good, the music is mesmerizing, and the graphics remind me of top-notch EGA titles of the 80s.”
“Its resemblance to 'PC-98' style adventure games is purely aesthetic.”
“The pixel-art style and the scenario design create a unique environment that makes investigation and inspection quite fitting.”
“The music, the graphics, and the writing had me cackling all throughout its runtime.”
- gameplay10 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The gameplay is primarily straightforward, focusing on clicking and decision-making typical of visual novels, which involves significant reading. While it offers a fun and rewarding experience, some reviewers noted that it lacks depth and interaction, suggesting that a more engaging approach could enhance future titles. Overall, the gameplay serves its purpose in storytelling but may benefit from additional complexity.
“The gameplay is simple enough to understand since it mostly involves clicking and making decisions - although, like any other visual novel, it involves a lot of reading.”
“The music is great, the artwork is beautiful, the writing is fluid, and the gameplay is simple yet fun.”
“The gameplay is fun, and the story is very compelling.”
“Only downside aside from the length is the trivial gameplay, but it's clear this is more like a prologue or proof-of-concept.”
“I guess as a visual novel it could work, but both the user interface and the gameplay setup go in the adventure direction, which requires some sort of interaction.”
“The actual gameplay is your typical visual novel, which is fine for telling a story.”
- humor7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as a mix of genuine charm and quirky moments, with characters like Sawyer providing goofy reactions that elicit laughter. While some elements, such as optional forum posts, may fall flat, the overall writing and dialogue are praised for their wit and ability to engage players. The combination of humor, stylized visuals, and an intriguing storyline contributes to a delightful experience.
“From the music to the humor to the stylized visuals.”
“It's funny, charming, and intriguing all at the same time.”
“The writing and dialogue is genuinely funny and charming, and I found myself particularly invested in the mystery aspects and the delivery of the exposition.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is enhanced by its soundtrack and sound effects, which effectively contribute to the paranormal and investigative themes. However, some players feel misled by the marketing regarding the number of locations, and the presence of irrelevant content, such as meme-filled forum posts, detracts from the overall immersion and narrative depth.
“I also really think you should take advantage of other stuff put down like atmosphere.”
“I also think the 'about' section of the game is a bit misleading with 'four spine-chilling locations' being 2 technically, unless the alleyway is counted which is 3. Counting the forum feels silly as a lot of it is just shitposting and filler memes, which really took me out of the atmosphere of the game, especially in setting up the apartment. There were some serious forum parts that were important to building up the girl's story, which played into her being passed into the afterlife by Sawyer.”
“That means most of the game's appeal has to come from exploring the dialogue options and the sense of atmosphere around everything.”
“The soundtrack and sound effects further help to create the paranormal/investigation atmosphere and always seem to fit the situation you are in.”