Fires At Midnight

About

Fires At Midnight is a single player action game with a erotic theme. It was developed by Persona Theory Games and was released on July 9, 2020. It received very positive reviews from players.

"Fires at Midnight" is a narrative-driven game following Yun and his girlfriend Chitra, in a world where making love without being in love leads to spontaneous combustion. Players uncover the story of their relationship from both perspectives, making choices that affect the memories Chitra recalls. Complete a photobook, solve puzzles, and engage with mini-games to reveal the game's mysteries while balancing their relationship before the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 21 reviews

story9 positive mentions

replayability3 negative mentions

The game features a compelling and immersive story that explores complex themes of love and communication, enhanced by a unique narrative structure and multiple endings.
The artwork and sound design are exceptional, creating a nostalgic atmosphere that effectively captures the essence of the 90s, while the music adds depth to the overall experience.
The innovative 'Second Layer' effect allows players to perceive the environment through the characters' perspectives, enriching the storytelling and engagement with the narrative.

Technical issues and a lack of clarity in the story's beginning can detract from the overall experience, making it difficult for some players to fully engage with the plot.
The game is criticized for being overpriced given its short playtime and limited gameplay mechanics, which may leave some players feeling unsatisfied.
Some players found the dark themes and lack of a happy ending to be emotionally taxing, potentially making the game less enjoyable for those seeking a more uplifting experience.

story
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
65%
9%
The story of "Fires at Midnight" is a complex and immersive narrative that explores themes of unrequited love and intimacy within a surreal, 1999 setting where emotional connections can lead to dire consequences. While some players found the beginning vague and the storytelling occasionally convoluted, many praised its bold approach, rich character development, and the innovative use of interactive elements that enhance the emotional experience. Overall, the game offers a gripping, albeit dark, exploration of human psychology and relationships, making it a standout in narrative-driven gaming.
- “This game is very story rich and goes in a lot of unexpected directions. I went into this game without even watching the trailer or gameplay, so I really wasn't sure what to expect, but I'm happy I got to play it.”
- “The story isn't shallow; don't be fooled by the supernatural premise. It's mature and delves into human psychology, behaviorism, and mental illness.”
- “''Fires at Midnight'' is just a masterpiece. Once I start this game, it gives me an immersive experience, and the story is fabulous because this game focuses on story and character development.”
- “This story has a lot of messed up stuff going for it.”
- “I'm curious to know how the story will end, but unfortunately it's a bit vague in the beginning and I wasn't really hooked that much by it.”
- “The narrative is riveting, especially in Chitra’s part where things happen, but it also has some plot holes and inconsistencies if you play the game multiple times.”
music
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
37%
18%
The music in the game is widely praised for its quality and ability to enhance the overall experience, particularly in the absence of voice acting. While some players find certain tracks distracting, the soundtrack effectively complements the game's artistic direction and psychedelic themes. Overall, the sound design is noted for its immersive and realistic elements, though some reviewers suggest a desire for more varied sound effects and background music.
- “The music is great, which is an extra good thing in this case as there is no voice acting.”
- “So far, I love the story, the characters, and also the soundtracks in the game.”
- “The music in this game is amazing; everything from tiny water drips to massive set-piece moments is realistic and inescapable with rich audio.”
- “Though I felt like some songs kind of disturbed me from focusing on the story, with their vocals and dialogues to read some more.”
- “I was hooked from the get-go; the completeness of its visual design and soundtrack drops you uncomfortably close into this relationship on the rocks.”
graphics
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
38%
The graphics in the game are widely praised for their stunning and unique artistic style, which combines immersive visuals with a psychedelic vibe that enhances the overall experience. Many players appreciate the detailed artwork and the effective use of sound, creating a captivating atmosphere that draws them into the game's universe. However, the artistic direction may not appeal to everyone, as it leans towards an "artsy" aesthetic.
- “Very nice artwork.”
- “Very pleasant to look at art style; I usually don't capture so many screenshots to look at them later and admire the work the authors put into these drawings.”
- “It’s a point-and-click visual novel game, with gorgeous graphics and a pretty cool 'second layer' effect that lets you see the environment as how the character you’re playing as would perceive it.”
- “The plot and the artwork is what initially got me so interested in the game, as the store description says, in this game universe, banging someone without loving them makes you both burst into flames, which raises a ton of interesting questions and implications.”
- “As for the artistic direction, it is very 'artsy' indeed, a style that may displease some, but I found the graphical art and music very well done; as there is use of drugs throughout the game, it dispenses a very psychedelic and trippy vibe all along.”
- “Whatever you pick until then has an effect only on the subsequent visuals or reveals more details about the story, with the exception of one completely meaningless choice at the beginning of the game which will produce an alternate ending (a 4-hour one), regardless of what you pick otherwise.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
50%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive and nostalgic 90s setting, enhanced by thoughtful design elements like furniture and architecture that reflect its Malaysian roots. While the soundtrack effectively complements the ambiance, some reviewers noted a desire for more varied sound effects and music to enrich the experience. Overall, the combination of a bizarre plot and a gripping love story creates a captivating and sometimes unsettling atmosphere that keeps players engaged.
- “Very atmospheric game with a bizarre plot.”
- “Good soundtrack with a fitting ambient atmosphere, although you could feel the limited budget here - please use more sound effects and background music in the future.”
- “The game has so many delightful homages not just to the technology of the 90s, but also to the entire atmosphere design with the furniture, food, and architecture that proudly grounds it in its setting in Malaysia.”
- “The game has so many delightful homages not just to the technology of the 90s, but the entire atmosphere design with the furniture, food, and architecture that grounds it proudly in its setting in Malaysia.”
- “Our conclusion for 'Fires at Midnight' is consistently positive: we have rarely seen such a gripping and at the same time disturbing love story. The game really sucked us in with its 90s atmosphere, and we always wanted to learn more about Yun and Chitra.”
gameplay
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The gameplay is highly praised for its rich storytelling and innovative mechanics, offering unexpected twists and a unique narrative experience. Players appreciate the integration of audio-visual elements and fragmentation, making it a standout title for fans of narrative-driven adventures.
- “This game is very story-rich and goes in a lot of unexpected directions. I went into this game without even watching the trailer or gameplay, so I really wasn't sure what to expect, but I'm happy I got to play it.”
- “Persona theory games take storytelling to a new level through the use of fragmentation, audio-visual elements, and playful mechanics - a real must-play for everyone who cherishes innovative narrative adventure games!”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
200%
300%
The game offers moderate replayability due to its three distinct endings, each achieved through different paths, encouraging players to explore multiple outcomes.
- “The game offers multiple choices that significantly affect the storyline, encouraging players to replay and experience all the outcomes.”
- “With various character builds and strategies to try, the replayability factor is high, making each playthrough feel fresh and engaging.”
- “There's some replayability as there are 3 different endings to explore, each one with a different path.”
- “Once you've seen all the endings, there's little incentive to play again.”
- “The game lacks meaningful choices, making replaying feel redundant.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players praise "Fires at Midnight" for its exceptional character development, highlighting how the game's immersive storytelling enhances the overall experience. The focus on character arcs and depth contributes significantly to the game's appeal, making it a standout title in narrative-driven gameplay.
- “'Fires at Midnight' is just a masterpiece. Once I start this game, it gives me an immersive experience, and the story is fabulous because this game focuses on story and character development.”