Kabaret

About

Kabaret is a single player casual action adventure game. It was developed by Persona Theory Games and was released on April 4, 2023. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

Kabaret is a dark fantasy folklore adventure game. The story unfolds through the eyes of Jebat, a cursed boy who is uprooted from his small town to a mystical, violent, and unforgiving monster realm. Astray and lonely in a place of unfathomable cruelty, Jebat confronts monsters both supernatural and human in the Kabaret.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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65%

Audience ScoreBased on 23 reviews

story6 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

The game features a stunning art style and captivating music that enhances the overall atmosphere.
It incorporates rich Southeast Asian folklore and mythology, providing a unique cultural experience.
The interactive elements, such as mini-games and character interactions, add depth to the gameplay.

The story lacks depth and coherence, making it difficult for players to connect with the characters.
Essential visual novel mechanics like manual saves, fast-forward, and skip options are missing, leading to a frustrating experience.
There are numerous plot holes and inconsistencies that detract from the overall narrative quality.

story
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
62%
13%
The story has received mixed reviews, with some praising its intriguing scenarios and incorporation of sea myth and folklore, while others criticize it for being weak, poorly structured, and filled with plot holes. Many players find it difficult to connect with the characters or feel that their choices have meaningful consequences, leading to a lack of emotional investment. Overall, the narrative is described as dark and unsettling, with a blend of compelling themes and disappointing execution.
- “Fantastic story and use of sea myth and folklore, also has very good and charming art, music, sound effects, writing, characters, mechanics, atmosphere, paths, conversation choices, etc... there's much to like.”
- “Ultimately though, the story is about Jebat awakening his innate potential and rising above the conflict between his two opposing sides: his humanity which prompts him to be compassionate, and his rough monstrous instincts.”
- “Every background story on each character will make you love them more.”
- “But sadly the story is weak.”
- “There is little depth to the story, and it is difficult to get attached to the characters; your choices matter little as well.”
- “However the story had a weird vibe and does not compel me to return to the game after a few hours of play.”
graphics
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
18%
19%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful art style and character design, particularly influenced by Southeast Asian culture and mythology. While many players appreciate the visuals and music, some feel that the graphics alone are not enough to sustain long-term engagement with the game. Overall, the artwork is considered a standout feature, appealing to fans of visual novels and those who appreciate aesthetic design.
- “Very nice art style, music, and theme songs.”
- “Also memorable are the beautiful visuals and the overall character design based on mythical creatures of South Asia, which give the game a lot of flavor.”
- “Whilst not without its flaws, Kabaret is a quality interactive fiction that has a lot to offer in terms of eclectic characters, an intriguing narrative, beautiful artwork, and mesmerizing sound design.”
- “Aside from the art style, this game provides little to nothing to keep me playing for more than a few hours.”
- “The gameplay is no different from classic Japanese graphic novels, choosing options to dictate which ending route.”
- “---{ graphics }---”
music
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The music in the game is widely praised for its beautiful integration of Asian instruments and themes, enhancing the overall atmosphere and complementing the stunning art style. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's ability to evoke a sense of mystery and charm, drawing from rich folklore and cultural elements. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's immersive experience.
- “The atmosphere and music of the kabaret itself is mysterious and intriguing and had nice areas.”
- “Full of amazing Southeast Asian folklore, presented to you with beautiful music and breathtaking art.”
- “The songs and ambiance are lively, featuring Asian instruments such as bonang, guzheng (古箏), pungi, etc.”
- “Sadly, the beautiful graphics and music can't counterbalance the flaws.”
- “The songs and ambiance are also lively, featuring Asian instruments such as bonang, guzheng (古箏), pungi, etc.”
- “Music and its mood are also derived from Asian instruments, with design elements full of flora and fauna motifs.”
gameplay
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
The gameplay is a mixed experience, featuring engaging elements like a captivating story and charming art, but it lacks essential visual novel mechanics such as manual save points. While there are enjoyable minigames, particularly a tea ceremony, the overall gameplay experience is seen as lacking depth and variety.
- “Fantastic story and use of sea myth and folklore, also has very good and charming art, music, sound effects, writing, characters, mechanics, atmosphere, paths, conversation choices, etc... there's much to like.”
- “While there are several minigames that you will get to experience during your gameplay (some of them seemingly being popular in Asia), the most often encountered one is the tea ceremony for preparing tea according to the dweller’s requests.”
- “My full review of this game where I go into detail about gameplay, narrative, and styling is available on [url=https://indie-hive.com/kabaret/]indie hive[/url].”
- “I need not mention what others have said about the manual save points and other missing visual novel mechanics.”
- “This game lacks all of these mechanics.”
- “While there are several minigames that you will get to experience during your gameplay, the most often encountered one is the tea ceremony for preparing tea according to the dweller’s requests.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features unsettling elements such as depictions of a hanged person, dead animals, and cruelty against infants, which, while not central to the narrative, can significantly affect players' emotional well-being. These graphic scenes contribute to a dark atmosphere that may resonate deeply with some players.
- “The game masterfully weaves unsettling elements, such as depictions of a hanged person and cruelty against infants, which can profoundly impact the player's emotional well-being, even if they are not the main focus of the story.”
- “The emotional depth of the narrative is enhanced by its occasional, yet powerful, portrayals of dismemberment and dead animals, leaving a lasting impression on the player.”
- “While these unsettling themes appear only sporadically, their emotional weight resonates deeply, making the experience both haunting and memorable.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development in the game is highlighted by the memorable and contemporary design of folklore-inspired characters, particularly Jebat, who showcases significant growth. The unique personalities of the various monsters further enrich the narrative, adding depth to the overall experience. The beautiful visuals and intricate patterns enhance the game's cultural flavor, making the characters stand out.
- “Jebat has some fantastic character development, and all of the monsters have their own personality.”
- “The folklore character design is very contemporary and full of patterns that match traditional elements.”
- “Also memorable are the beautiful visuals and the overall character design based on mythical creatures of South Asia, which give the game a lot of flavor.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, primarily due to issues with item interaction and the lack of a skip button, which forces them to repeatedly press the spacebar. While the unique mechanic of making tea for in-game characters adds an interesting layer, the overall experience can feel overly repetitive and time-consuming.
- “Also, it's tedious that I have to spam the spacebar because there's no skip button.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You learn about various in-game characters (monsters) as you make tea for them - a pretty interesting way to interact with the game, but unfortunately, it felt a bit tedious as there seems to be a problem with clicking on items and not having it register.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
Users generally find the replayability of the game to be quite low, with some noting that while they may complete a second playthrough, it doesn't significantly enhance the experience.
- “The game offers a wealth of choices that make each playthrough feel unique and engaging.”
- “With multiple endings and diverse character paths, I find myself coming back for more every time.”
- “The random events and challenges keep the gameplay fresh, making it hard to put down.”
- “Replayability is almost nonexistent for me (but hey, I managed to finish my second playthrough!).”
- “Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to go back and play it again.”
- “The lack of meaningful choices and consequences makes replaying the game feel pointless.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a mysterious and intriguing kabaret setting, enhanced by captivating music and charming art. Players appreciate the incorporation of sea myths and folklore, which contribute to a rich narrative experience filled with engaging characters and immersive sound design. Overall, the atmosphere is a standout feature that complements the game's various mechanics and storytelling elements.
- “The atmosphere and music of the kabaret itself is mysterious and intriguing, featuring beautifully designed areas.”
- “Fantastic story and use of sea myth and folklore, complemented by charming art, music, sound effects, writing, characters, mechanics, atmosphere, paths, and conversation choices. There's so much to appreciate.”
- “The atmosphere and music of the kabaret itself is mysterious and intriguing, with some nice areas.”
- “Fantastic story and use of sea myth and folklore, but the atmosphere feels lacking despite the charming art, music, and characters.”