How Stories Die

About

How Stories Die is a single player action game with romance and mystery themes. It was developed by VisualBagel and was released on November 5, 2020. It received very positive reviews from players.

Time travel, assassins and one magical gangster rabbit! The demon king threatens your kingdom and it's up to you, the prince, to find a suitable hero to fight it. Not an easy task, as it will require you to shed a lot of blood and maybe even die. But at least you will save everyone... right?

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 88 reviews

story22 positive mentions

The game features a captivating and layered story with unexpected plot twists and engaging characters that keep players invested.
It offers multiple branching paths and endings, providing a high level of replayability and a unique experience with each playthrough.
The visuals and soundtrack are impressive, enhancing the overall atmosphere and immersion of the game.

The game suffers from numerous spelling and grammar errors, which can detract from the reading experience.
The saving system is flawed, leading to potential frustration as players may accidentally overwrite their save slots.
Some storylines can feel convoluted or lack coherence, with continuity issues that may confuse players.

story
77 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
67%
4%
The game's story is a complex blend of humor and serious themes, featuring multiple branching paths and unexpected plot twists that keep players engaged. While some reviewers noted issues with grammar and continuity, many praised the depth of the characters and the immersive storytelling experience. Overall, it offers a captivating narrative that rewards multiple playthroughs, despite some criticisms of pacing and cliché elements.
- “You'll face real choices that truly shape the story (and yeah, you'll want to avoid those bad endings).”
- “What you end up with is a meta story filled with plot twists and populated by charming characters.”
- “The story is surprisingly layered and deep with interesting characters that are never as simple as they first appear.”
- “The setting for the story is a bit cheesy and feels a little rushed.”
- “Also, the story has continuity issues in that the three routes make no sense when put side by side.”
- “Jokes aren't funny, character moments are vapid, characters themselves are cliché, the basic plot is a storm of clichés, tone is all over the place, and pacing is wretched.”
music
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
29%
21%
The music in "How Stories Die" is widely praised for its breathtaking soundtrack, featuring haunting melodies and stirring compositions that enhance the game's mood and narrative. Players appreciate the engaging background music, which sets the tone effectively and contributes to the overall immersive experience, making it a standout aspect of the game. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant highlight, adding depth to the storytelling and leaving a lasting impression.
- “The soundtrack in How Stories Die is simply breathtaking, with haunting melodies and stirring compositions that perfectly complement the mood and tone of the game.”
- “With its multiple twists and endings, stunning visuals, and captivating soundtrack, it's a visual novel that will stay with you long after you've finished playing.”
- “I don't have much of an ear for music, but I can say the background music sets the tone of the scenes well enough.”
- “When the first thing I hear on the title screen of this game is a banger of a song that leads into a soundtrack that should not be as good as it is, I know I'm in for something special.”
- “And you'll get to hear kick-ass music while you're at it.”
humor
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating its twisted and dark comedic elements alongside lovable characters, while others criticize the jokes as unfunny and the overall tone as inconsistent. While there are moments that elicit laughter and clever references, many feel that the humor often falls flat amidst a convoluted plot and pacing issues. Overall, the game's attempt at humor is hit-or-miss, with some finding it enjoyable and others deeming it ineffective.
- “The characters are ridiculously lovable, and the game pulls you in fast with a lore that keeps getting darker, spiced with twisted humor and unexpectedly deep morals.”
- “The overall story had a good mix of humor and serious content.”
- “Funny, twisted and you can't tell what's next.”
graphics
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
22%
22%
The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the stunning artwork and atmospheric backgrounds that enhance the storytelling experience. However, some players find the visuals to be basic or merely adequate, suggesting that while there are highlights, the overall quality may not meet everyone's expectations. Overall, the game's art style is appreciated, but opinions vary on its execution and impact.
- “The visuals in how stories die are absolutely stunning, with gorgeous artwork and atmospheric backgrounds that bring the world to life in vivid detail.”
- “With its multiple twists and endings, stunning visuals, and captivating soundtrack, it's a visual novel that will stay with you long after you've finished playing.”
- “Decent, cute game with great artwork in my opinion.”
- “The graphics and sound are barely adequate, and the writing is even worse.”
- “The demon design still confuses me, but I love it, and Mr. Snuffles is a good enough reason to play on his own. Other than that, though, the visuals are kind of basic.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players report that the emotional depth of the game is significant, with meaningful interactions that foster a strong investment in the characters' journeys, often leading to unexpected emotional connections.
- “Each interaction with them felt meaningful and impactful, and I found myself becoming emotionally invested in their journey in ways I never expected.”
- “The emotional depth of the characters truly resonated with me, making their struggles and triumphs feel incredibly real.”
- “I was moved to tears by the story; it beautifully captured the complexities of love, loss, and redemption.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere in "How Stories Die" is highly praised for its stunning visuals, featuring gorgeous artwork and richly detailed backgrounds that effectively immerse players in the game's world.
- “The visuals in how stories die are absolutely stunning, with gorgeous artwork and atmospheric backgrounds that bring the world to life in vivid detail.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
The game boasts 12 independent endings, each unconnected to the others, significantly enhancing its replayability and making it one of the most engaging visual novels in this regard.
- “There are 12 independent endings, and the stories are not linked between them, making it one of the visual novels with the most replayability.”
- “The variety of choices and paths ensures that each playthrough feels fresh and engaging.”
- “With multiple endings and different character interactions, I find myself coming back to explore every possibility.”
- “The 12 independent endings are not linked to each other, which makes them one of the visual novels with the most replayability.”
- “Once you've experienced the main story, there's little incentive to go back and replay it.”
- “The lack of meaningful choices means that replaying the game feels more like a chore than an enjoyable experience.”