ghostpia Season One

81%
Game Brain Score Based on 140 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • music
ghostpia Season One Game Cover
A dark and myserious visual novel which explores friendship and fitting in.
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In Ghostpia Season One, players explore a snow-isolated town populated by immortal beings, referred to as ghosts. This digital graphic novel combines delicate art with glitch and noise effects for a unique visual experience. With a focus on story over gameplay, players enjoy a movie-like experience through a compelling narrative, free of quick time events or branching scenarios.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

81%
Audience ScoreBased on 140 reviews
story38 positive mentions
gameplay3 negative mentions
  • Ghostpia features a unique and engaging story that blends humor, darkness, and emotional depth, keeping players invested throughout its episodes.
  • The art style is beautifully crafted, with a nostalgic aesthetic that enhances the overall experience, complemented by a fantastic soundtrack.
  • The characters are well-developed and relatable, with strong dynamics that explore themes of friendship, loneliness, and self-discovery.
  • The game lacks interactivity, as it is a linear visual novel with no choices or branching paths, which may not appeal to all players.
  • Some players found the bullying dynamic towards the character Clara to be uncomfortable and poorly justified within the narrative.
  • There are occasional typos and grammatical issues that detract from the overall polish of the writing.
  • story114 mentions

    The story of Ghostpia is highly praised for its engaging narrative, blending humor, tension, and unexpected twists within a unique setting of a ghost town. Reviewers appreciate the depth of character development and thematic exploration, particularly around friendship, self-discovery, and the influence of society, all enhanced by a captivating soundtrack and artistic visuals. While the story is not yet complete, it leaves players eager for the next installment, showcasing a rich and immersive experience that resonates emotionally.

    • “The story has great range, going from goofball antics to melancholic moments and to unexpected violence in a moment's beats.”
    • “Ghostpia is a wonderful story about learning to cherish your friends despite your world weariness.”
    • “This game is such a gripping visual novel, from its cozy, nostalgic visuals, to its both soothingly comfortable and harsh, isolation OST, to its story about the importance of relationships and how they give our life purpose.”
    • “Didn't get the plot up until the moment I read (~55%); if there were global/general topics, they didn't move anywhere at all.”
    • “A horrible story, about a horrible world and the 1024 horrible people who live in it.”
    • “It has a last episode that somewhat ties things together, but this is the first part of a larger story; mysteries don't get solved, character arcs aren't completed, goals don't get accomplished, we are in no way 'done' with this plot.”
  • graphics64 mentions

    The graphics of "Ghostpia" are widely praised for their unique and charming art style, which combines minimal, cutesy character designs with cozy environments that effectively convey both lighthearted and serious themes. The game features a variety of animated cut-ins and glitch visuals that enhance immersion, creating a nostalgic atmosphere reminiscent of old CRT TVs. Overall, the visuals are described as gorgeous and polished, contributing significantly to the game's emotional depth and storytelling.

    • “The game looks absolutely gorgeous, and it has some pretty nice looking glitch visuals that, in my opinion, ironically enough make you even more immersed in Ghostpia's world.”
    • “The art style is amazing, perfect match for the tone and atmosphere of the plot.”
    • “Simply splendid, I was initially attracted by the visuals on the Steam page, but they don't prepare you for the final result; visually, it's perhaps the most polished visual novel I've ever seen.”
    • “Big gripe for me is that there is no log/script, having it be a rewind instead, which makes sense due to the visuals but makes it hard to check stuff from earlier in the story.”
    • “Instead, it embraces glitched visuals and takes a contemplative approach to storytelling.”
    • “Ghostpia's intentional glitched visuals mimic a worn VHS tape, adding depth to the storytelling.”
  • music42 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising the original soundtrack (OST) for its emotional depth and ability to enhance the storytelling experience. Specific tracks, such as "garbage," are highlighted for their profound emotional resonance, while the overall sound design is noted for its uniqueness and ability to evoke nostalgia. The combination of a captivating soundtrack and impressive art style contributes significantly to the game's immersive atmosphere and emotional impact.

    • “The OST has to be one of my favorite pieces of Ghostpia and it plays a key part in immersing you in its world.”
    • “"Garbage" is an absolutely stellar song that manages to perfectly capture such a wide range of feelings and emotions that I would usually never be able to put into words, and I can't listen to it without starting to feel emotional.”
    • “The soundtrack does a fine job signifying and elevating impactful events and turning points in the story - be it a triumph over an adversary, a shared moment of happiness, or the disengagement of tense atmosphere by a comedic occurrence.”
    • “The music is also really well done and wraps you up in the melancholic atmosphere.”
    • “The soundtrack does a fine job signifying and elevating impactful events and turning points in the story - be it a triumph over an adversary, a shared moment of happiness or the disengagement of tense atmosphere by a comedic occurrence.”
    • “It makes the game unique and along with the soundtrack it manages to deliver a kind of nostalgic feeling.”
  • humor27 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating its self-deprecating and absurd comedic elements, while others find it chaotic and lacking in coherence. Many reviews highlight the charm of the characters and their witty interactions, which often include light-hearted banter and slapstick moments. Overall, those who enjoy dark humor and clever writing are likely to find the game's comedic aspects appealing, though it may not resonate with everyone.

    • “I can say if you enjoy 'self-deprecating humor' then this game is pretty much perfect just for the main character's monologue alone.”
    • “The game is, in my opinion, at its best when the characters' interactions bounce off of each other with their funny remarks and witty observations.”
    • “It's visually stunning and the writing is hilarious and quite clever.”
    • “I didn't see the justification, or point, or if it's supposed to be funny.”
    • “The humor felt forced and often missed the mark.”
    • “Many jokes fell flat and lacked originality.”
  • emotional22 mentions

    The game is praised for its authentic emotional depth, balancing introspective moments with a range of tones from sadness to joy, without veering into sentimentality. Players appreciate the engaging characters and their development, which fosters genuine connections and heartfelt experiences, often accompanied by impactful music. Overall, it offers a compelling narrative that resonates emotionally, leaving a lasting impression on players.

    • “The game has a lot of scenes that felt very real in their introspectiveness and emotional weight, without ever feeling overly sentimental or dramatic.”
    • “An emotional game/visual novel I really enjoy with impressive and opportune music, really amazing illustrations, fascinating plot, distinctive and engaging characters, and everything.”
    • “The characters grew on me so much over these 5 episodes and watching the relationships develop was genuinely heartwarming in the way only the best romances can produce.”
  • atmosphere16 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is described as deeply immersive and unique, blending mystery and foreboding with beautiful visuals and a melancholic soundtrack. Reviewers appreciate how the art style complements the tone of the story, creating a compelling setting that enhances the emotional depth of the characters and their relationships. Overall, the combination of impactful music and a slice-of-life narrative contributes to a rich and engaging atmosphere that resonates with players.

    • “The soundtrack does a fine job signifying and elevating impactful events and turning points in the story - be it a triumph over an adversary, a shared moment of happiness, or the disengagement of tense atmosphere by a comedic occurrence.”
    • “Beautiful, peaceful, and deeply atmospheric.”
    • “The art style is amazing, a perfect match for the tone and atmosphere of the plot.”
    • “The music is also really well done and wraps you up in the melancholic atmosphere.”
    • “It's a slice-of-life story wrapped in a mysterious, unusual atmosphere.”
    • “The story does this well, and catches you off guard many times, but while retaining an air of mystery and foreboding atmosphere.”
  • gameplay8 mentions

    The gameplay is minimal, primarily consisting of advancing through a linear narrative by pressing a button, with no choices, puzzles, or interactive elements. While some may view this lack of traditional gameplay as a drawback, others appreciate the experience as akin to reading an engaging story, aligning with the game's promotional material. Overall, it caters more to those seeking a narrative experience than conventional gaming mechanics.

    • “For more detail, the store page and other reviews have probably made it clear that this has no choices, puzzles, branches, or 'gameplay' of any sort, and while that sometimes feels like it's framed as a negative, the single linear story is an amazing read, and what they were able to do here is well worth those decisions.”
    • “If you're looking for a video game with gameplay, even just with choices, this isn't for you.”
    • “This is not really a game, since there is no gameplay at all besides pressing 'Z' or the mouse or whatever button to proceed to the next line in the text.”
    • “For more detail, the store page and other reviews have probably made it clear that this has no choices, puzzles, branches, or 'gameplay' of any sort.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development is praised for its thoughtful design, with users highlighting the appealing aesthetics and variety in outfit options, particularly for the main cast. Overall, the characters are considered visually attractive and well-crafted.

    • “The character designs are very well thought out; they look lovely, have a reasonable amount of outfit swaps, and they're all very appealing, especially the main cast.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game aligns well with its advertising, presenting a narrative-driven experience that resembles a readable movie rather than a traditional game. Many users found this approach enjoyable, indicating that the lack of conventional gameplay did not detract from their overall experience.

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Critic Reviews

79% average critic score

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