Homicipher
- November 1, 2024
- Gamera Games
- 5h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Homicipher is a narrative-driven game where players decipher an unusual language to progress. As they help the protagonist escape an otherworldly setting, players must be cautious not to fall in love with the strange men they encounter. Each decision made can have life or death consequences, and understanding the men's language is crucial to making the right choices."
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a unique language deciphering mechanic that adds depth and engagement to the gameplay.
- Characters are charming and well-designed, with distinct personalities that make interactions enjoyable.
- The blend of horror and humor creates a fun atmosphere, making it accessible even for those who are not fans of traditional horror games.
- The game is relatively short, leaving players wanting more content and deeper exploration of character backstories.
- Some players found the save system and lack of an ending tracker to be frustrating, making it difficult to keep track of completed routes.
- The romance aspect is minimal, which may disappoint those expecting a more traditional otome experience.
- story55 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story of the game is widely praised for its engaging and intricate narrative, which combines language-learning mechanics with a rich lore that unfolds through various branching paths. Players appreciate the unique blend of horror and humor, along with well-developed characters, though some express a desire for deeper character backgrounds and smoother narration in later episodes. Overall, the storytelling is described as captivating, with unexpected twists that keep players invested and eager to explore different outcomes.
“I can't stop playing; it's so good and interesting. I love finding out more about the lore as the story progresses.”
“The story and setting are very interesting: while the game doesn't give you a straightforward answer to everything, you can guess most of the things from context and what you saw and learned from different routes.”
“The characters are so cute and charming despite being horrifying. The story is incredibly interesting and set up in a way to keep you engaged in uncovering more information, and the concept is so unique and well thought out; I absolutely adore it!”
“I found the story a little hard to piece together.”
“The story is fairly confusing and piecey.”
“My main complaint is really just that I wish the story wasn't so broken up and was made a little clearer.”
- gameplay29 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay is highly praised for its unique language-deciphering mechanics, which provide an engaging and rewarding experience that sets it apart from traditional otome games. Players appreciate the charming characters and the ability to explore multiple endings, while the horror elements and art style enhance the overall experience. Despite some minor unpolished aspects, the gameplay is described as addictive and fun, making it a worthwhile investment for fans of the genre.
“I've played so many otome games in the past 15 years of my life, but never have I seen something with such heavy puzzle mechanics manage to pull off having such charming and well-established characters despite the intended language barrier.”
“The gameplay is unique, and it's rewarding deciphering the words and piecing it together for yourself!”
“Extremely fun concept and addictive gameplay!”
“It's got some unpolished spots, but the core gameplay scratches that same itch that 'Chants of Sennaar' does--with zero frustrating progression locks.”
“The mechanics of the game are really unique, but simplistic.”
“It's fun trying to decipher the ghost language; it's such a different gameplay. Normally, a visual novel game is very text-heavy, but this one is light on the dialogues, which contributes to the short length of the game too.”
- humor14 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as a blend of dark comedy and wholesome moments, with characters that initially appear scary but reveal their funny and cute sides. Players find joy in the absurdity of situations, often laughing at unexpected twists and character interactions, while the horror elements remain present throughout the narrative. Overall, the humor enhances the experience, making it both entertaining and engaging.
“It's also unexpectedly wholesome, funny, and cute aside from the spooky stuff!”
“It can be hilarious when you're just randomly guessing and the context changes because of your interpretation.”
“The characters are amazing, there are funny and cute moments sprinkled in and the horror is never forgotten in the plot.”
- atmosphere14 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its haunting beauty and immersive qualities, effectively blending eerie sound design and striking art style to create a captivating experience. While some elements, like jump scares, may rely on conventional tactics, the overall ambiance fosters a sense of unease and engagement that enhances the storytelling and character development. Players appreciate the unique atmosphere as a standout feature, making the game appealing even beyond its horror elements.
“This game wasn't necessarily scary, but the art style and atmosphere provided by it is so hauntingly beautiful in a way that really gets you to like the characters and go through the story without having to look away as you anticipate a jumpscare.”
“The art is gorgeous, the music is atmospheric, and the storyline is interesting and keeps you coming back to try to figure out more.”
“While it might lessen the tension/horror element a bit, the environments and interactions are strange enough that you don't really lose that dissonance and unease the atmosphere creates.”
“Once you get past the weird/spooky atmosphere and mostly complete the dictionary, each character becomes quite endearing on their own.”
“On that note, I'd say that the atmosphere of the game is its strongest point.”
- graphics11 mentions
- 73 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning artwork and beautiful character designs, creating a hauntingly atmospheric experience that enhances the storytelling. Players appreciate the unique art style, which complements the horror setting and motivates exploration of the game's content. Overall, the visuals are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
“The artwork is amazing, the storyline is captivating, and the characters are beautifully designed.”
“This game wasn't necessarily scary, but the art style and atmosphere are hauntingly beautiful, making you connect with the characters and immerse yourself in the story.”
“The art style and character designs are great, motivating you to experience all of the game's content.”
- music8 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received high praise for its beauty and atmospheric quality, with particular acclaim for the opening title song that captivates players from the start. Reviewers note that the soundtrack enhances the overall experience, complementing the stunning character and background art while contributing to the game's immersive and spooky ambiance. Overall, the music is seen as a significant factor that enriches the exploration and engagement with the game's storyline.
“The opening title song is amazing!”
“Beautiful game, with amazing art and gorgeous soundtrack!”
“The art is gorgeous, the music is atmospheric, and the storyline is interesting and keeps you coming back to try to figure out more.”
“The music is repetitive and lacks variety, making it feel dull after a short time.”
“The soundtrack doesn't match the game's atmosphere, which detracts from the overall experience.”
“While the sound effects are decent, the music fails to engage and often feels out of place.”
- character development8 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The character development in the game is highly praised for its outstanding designs and distinct personalities, making each character memorable and engaging. Players appreciate the unique traits and interactions, which enhance the overall experience, particularly in the context of the game's creepy alternate dimension and language learning focus. The main character is noted for being a competent and relatable lead, contributing positively to the narrative.
“I adore the character designs too, and the fact that the place you ended up is like a super creepy alternate dimension of sorts, which actually affects your character.”
“Outstanding character design and personality: I adored all of them and could identify their traits immediately.”
“The character designs are amazing, and each of them is fun to interact with and learn their unique traits.”
- emotional7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its unique blend of wholesome humor and spooky elements, creating a fun and touching experience. Players appreciate the meaningful interactions with characters, which evoke a range of emotions from laughter to shock, and some moments are deeply impactful, leading to genuine feelings of sadness and attachment. Overall, the game successfully balances heartwarming and eerie themes, leaving a lasting emotional impression.
“It was such an incredibly fun and emotional experience!”
“Characters have some of the most meaningful and touching interactions with the player despite using minimal language.”
“Mr. Crawling is the best, and I cried when I accidentally killed him and when I lost him.”
- replayability6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability due to its multiple endings and the opportunity to revisit conversations with improved vocabulary, enhancing player understanding of the narrative. Players can explore different routes and deepen their comprehension of the world and language, making each playthrough feel fresh and engaging. Overall, it is highly recommended for those who enjoy a fun, point-and-click horror romance experience.
“It does have a replay value in that you can go back after knowing more words to fix/understand the conversation between the ghosts that you didn't the first time.”
“By playing through different routes and learning more and more about the world and the language, it gets easier to communicate correctly with the characters. Going back to the beginning multiple times to cross-reference words and their meanings adds a lot of replay value!”
“There's a lot of replayability between finding new routes/endings and seeing how much you can understand after discovering new words.”
“It does have replay value in that you can go back after knowing more words to fix or understand the conversation between the ghosts that you didn't the first time.”
“By playing through different routes and learning more about the world and the language, it gets easier to communicate correctly with the characters. Going back to the beginning multiple times to cross-reference words and their meanings adds a lot of replay value!”
“There's a lot of replayability in finding new routes and endings, and seeing how much you can understand after discovering new words.”
