HEXCRAFT: Harlequin Fair
- March 11, 2021
- OLEANDER GARDEN
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"HEXCRAFT: Harlequin Fair" is a narrative-driven, dark fantasy visual novel. As a young witch, you must navigate the twisted politics of the Harlequin Fair, using magic and wit to uncover secrets and solve supernatural mysteries. Your choices determine the fate of your coven and the souls caught in the fair's grasp. Immerse yourself in a hauntingly beautiful world full of intrigue and danger.
Windows
Reviews
- The game creates a haunting and immersive atmosphere that captivates players, making exploration feel rewarding and engaging.
- Players appreciate the unique and cryptic design, which encourages experimentation and discovery within a living world that reacts to their actions.
- The game is praised for its artistic flair and poetic storytelling, offering a distinct experience that stands out in the indie game scene.
- Many players find the gameplay mechanics to be janky and unpolished, leading to frustration with combat and navigation.
- The lack of clear objectives and guidance can leave players feeling lost and confused, making it difficult to progress without extensive trial and error.
- Some reviews mention that the tight inventory system and punishing save mechanics detract from the overall experience, making it hard to recover from mistakes.
- gameplay12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its obtuse and unpolished mechanics, which can lead to frustration due to trial-and-error elements and a lack of clear direction. While some players appreciate the bizarre and unique aspects of the game, they also note that it requires significant effort to understand and engage with the mechanics, often resulting in a disjointed experience. Overall, the gameplay offers a challenging yet rewarding exploration for those willing to invest the time to decipher its complexities.
“I love obtuse games, but there's a level of finesse that needs to be struck for the mechanics to feel engaging and rewarding as you uncover them. If you fumble this, your game risks appearing shallow because those obtuse mechanics don't show themselves and players don't know where to seek them out and experiment with them, so they stick to the safety of what they know.”
“It may take a couple or even more playthroughs to understand the story, but one is enough to love how bizarre and unique the gameplay is.”
“Everything about Harlequin Fair, from its mechanics to its themes, has to be pulled apart and inferred. If you're up to the task, it's a rewarding one.”
“I just find the trial-and-error gameplay infuriating: try something, die, restart.”
“There is an interesting simulated world here, but the actual gameplay is extremely unpolished.”
“There's not even a defined gameplay loop, because of how dynamically the NPCs act in the world.”
- atmosphere8 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and captivating qualities, with many reviewers highlighting its strong aesthetic and engaging urban exploration elements. While some players find the gameplay mechanics frustrating, the overall ambiance and mystery keep them invested and enhance the experience. The maps are described as rich in detail, contributing to a sense of being lost in a beautifully crafted world.
“If you're a fan of urban exploration, you might want to pick this up just for the atmosphere alone.”
“The atmosphere is top notch, and the mystery is extremely enticing!”
“The game is also really gorgeous with a strong aesthetic and atmosphere which helps you get lost within it.”
“The atmosphere is immaculate and there are all these gadgets you can use to your advantage, and yet every encounter boils down to you and your opponent standing still and shooting at each other.”
“The maps are dripping with atmosphere, but running back and forth to your apartment for saving quickly becomes a chore.”
- story4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The story is often described as confusing and difficult to follow, leaving some players unsure of its quality. However, many agree that the game's unique and bizarre gameplay allows for enjoyment even without a full understanding of the narrative, with multiple playthroughs potentially offering more clarity.
“Fortunately, you don't have to wrap yourself up in the story to enjoy the game.”
“The story is... well, I'll be honest, I can't really follow it.”
“I couldn't tell you what that means for the quality of the story; it just flat out escapes me.”
“It may take a couple or even more playthroughs to understand the story, but one is enough to love how bizarre and unique the gameplay is.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are praised for their strong aesthetic and immersive atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience. However, some users find the visuals to be muddy and dated, leading to frustration during gameplay due to a lack of clear warnings before dying.
“The game is also really gorgeous with a strong aesthetic and atmosphere which helps you get lost within it.”
“The graphics feel a bit janky, appearing muddy and dated, which makes it frustrating to die repeatedly with very little warning.”
“The visuals are underwhelming and lack detail, making the overall experience feel less immersive.”
“Character models look outdated and animations are stiff, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
