Haru to Shura
- June 24, 2021
- Studio Pixel
Get on Steam"Haru to Shura" is a lo-fi, pixel-based 2D adventure game where you play as Chihiro, an ordinary high school student transported to the dreamlike, melancholy world of Eden. Explore the peaceful winterland, interact with eccentric villagers, and uncover the bittersweet secret of this suffering-free land, all while experiencing a mysterious and poetic tale with freedom of interpretation. The game features 3-4 hours of casual adventure-style gameplay with multiple ends.
Reviews
- The game features a beautifully subtle and emotional story with multiple endings that encourage exploration and replayability.
- The pixel art and music create a dreamy atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience and engagement with the narrative.
- It's a great value for the price, offering a thoughtful and intriguing story that tackles heavy themes in a unique way.
- The game can feel slow and may drag on at times, with some cutscenes and dialogue being overly lengthy.
- Players may encounter bugs or issues, such as getting softlocked or experiencing glitches that disrupt gameplay.
- The lack of clear decision-making prompts can make it difficult to navigate the story and understand the impact of choices on multiple endings.
- story34 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The game's story is praised for its emotional depth, intriguing themes, and multiple alternative endings that encourage exploration for a fuller experience. While some players found the pacing slow and the dialogue occasionally cumbersome, the overall narrative is described as rich and thought-provoking, tackling heavy topics with sensitivity. The beautiful pixel art and music complement the story, making it a compelling choice for fans of narrative-driven games, though some may find it less engaging if they prefer more action-oriented gameplay.
“Many alternative endings; I recommend getting each one to get the full story!”
“The story is thoughtful and engaging for the entire duration, and tackles heavy topics almost effortlessly.”
“The story often leaves you pondering in thought as to what happened, and there's lots of intrigue hidden in the depths of the game.”
“It can be a bit slow and boring at times where the pixelated art and music become a bit of a hindrance to the overall story. The actual written dialogue can also become a bit lumbering to read at times; many of the characters have to say what they feel because the pixel art doesn't capture their emotions properly, and the main character is mute throughout the game.”
“I couldn't get into the story at all.”
“This game is extremely reliant upon you going in blind as it is a story-focused game, unlike Daisuke's previous works; this is a side-scrolling story game.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are praised for their beautiful pixel art style, combining retro aesthetics with high-quality cutscenes that enhance the emotional experience. The visuals, along with the chiptune music, create a charming and polished presentation reminiscent of other titles from the developer, while still maintaining a unique identity. Overall, the artwork effectively supports the intriguing plot and emotional dialogue.
“The artwork in the game is great; I love the pixel style of simple retro pixel art, and it being mixed with very high-quality cutscene pixel art does very well.”
“Haru to Shura is a short and interesting story (completing my first playthrough took around 4 hours) backed up by the wonderful pixel visuals and music from Studio Pixel/Daisuke Amaya.”
“The overall presentation and aesthetics are still presented as a typical studio pixel game, so much of the emotional core of the game is conveyed through pixelated art, written dialogue, and chiptune music.”
“Nonetheless, the music and graphics feel like a pixel game.”
“However, I was pleasantly surprised to see that it had the same graphical charm and polish we saw in Cave Story and Kero Blaster, but has an identity of its own.”
- music7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The music in the game is characterized by chiptune elements that complement its pixelated aesthetic, contributing to a nostalgic atmosphere. While some players find the music and art to enhance the emotional experience, others feel it can occasionally detract from the storytelling, with the dialogue sometimes feeling cumbersome. Overall, the soundtrack is praised for its quality and ability to evoke complex emotions within the game's minimalist design.
“The overall presentation and aesthetics are still presented as a typical studio pixel game, so much of the emotional core of the game is done through pixelated art, written dialogue, and chiptune music.”
“Haru to Shura is a short and interesting story (completing my first playthrough took around 4 hours) backed up by the wonderful pixel visuals and music from Studio Pixel/Daisuke Amaya.”
“The music, dialogue, and incredible art add up to a great atmosphere that anyone vaguely interested in this game would enjoy.”
“It can be a bit slow and boring at times where the pixelated art and music become a bit of a hindrance to the overall story. The actual written dialogue can also become a bit lumbering to read at times; many of the characters have to say what they feel because the pixel art doesn't capture their emotions properly, and the main character is mute throughout the game.”
“Gameplay and music didn't leave much of an impression.”
“Nonetheless, the music and graphics feel like a pixel game.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its deeply emotional narrative, with many players reporting that it moved them to tears. The emotional impact is effectively conveyed through its pixel art, engaging dialogue, and chiptune music, creating a captivating and heartfelt experience. Overall, it combines cute aesthetics with a compelling story that resonates strongly with players.
“Literally an amazing and emotional story. 10/10, cried.”
“The overall presentation and aesthetics are still presented as a typical studio pixel game, so much of the emotional core of the game is conveyed through pixelated art, written dialogue, and chiptune music.”
“Cute graphics with fun and emotional dialogue, as to be expected from both of the developer's work, and a very intriguing and mysterious story.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally seen as secondary to the story, with some reviewers noting it lacks impact, while others appreciate the balance between casual gameplay and narrative engagement. Overall, it receives mixed feedback, with scores reflecting a range from mediocre to positive.
“Gameplay takes a backseat here to story, and it works very well with the medium.”
“It's a perfect mix of casual gameplay and story to keep you invested!”
“Gameplay and music didn't leave much of an impression.”
“5/10 gameplay”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized as dreamy and fairy-tale-like, enhanced by its captivating music, engaging dialogue, and stunning art. Reviewers agree that these elements combine to create an enjoyable experience for players.
“All of which present the game with a dreamy, fairy-tale-like atmosphere.”
“The music, dialogue, and incredible art add up to a great atmosphere that anyone vaguely interested in this game would enjoy.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is noted to be somewhat overshadowed by confusion regarding decision impacts on endings, making it less enjoyable for casual replay. However, the potential for speedrunning is highlighted as a source of amusement, suggesting that the game's comedic elements may shine in a competitive context.
“The humor in this game is absolutely top-notch, with clever writing that keeps you laughing throughout.”
“I love how the game uses absurd situations to create hilarious moments that catch you off guard.”
“The witty dialogue and funny character interactions make every playthrough a joy, even when the story gets serious.”
