Kabaret

About

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 Play through the game's story or campaign solo

68%

Audience ScoreBased on 22 reviews

story6 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The game features a gorgeous art style and captivating music that enhance the overall atmosphere.
It incorporates rich Southeast Asian folklore and mythology, providing a unique cultural experience.
The mini-games and interactive elements, such as the tea-making mechanics, add an engaging layer to the gameplay.

The lack of essential visual novel mechanics like manual saves, skip options, and fast-forwarding significantly detracts from the experience.
The story is criticized for being weak and lacking depth, making it hard for players to connect with the characters.
Many players found the pacing tedious, with filler dialogue and unengaging NPC interactions that hindered the overall enjoyment.

story
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
63%
13%
The story has received mixed reviews, with some praising its dark themes, character backstories, and incorporation of folklore, while others criticize it for being weak, convoluted, 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 engagement with the narrative. Overall, the storytelling is seen as inconsistent, with some elements being compelling but overshadowed by a lack of coherence and depth.
- “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.”
- “Mediocre and poorly told storytelling.”
graphics
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
20%
13%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful art style, compelling character designs, and integration of Southeast Asian themes, which many players find captivating. While the visuals and music enhance the overall experience, some reviewers feel that they cannot fully compensate for other flaws in the game. Overall, the artwork is considered a standout feature, appealing particularly to fans of visual novels and those who appreciate intricate designs.
- “Loved the artwork of the characters.”
- “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.”
- “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 as a standout feature, contributing to the game's mysterious and intriguing ambiance, while also reflecting the rich folklore it draws from. Overall, the music is considered a significant strength, elevating the gaming experience despite any flaws in other areas.
- “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
29%
29%
43%
The gameplay is a mixed experience, with some players appreciating the charming art, music, and narrative elements, while others criticize the absence of traditional visual novel mechanics like manual save points. While there are engaging minigames, such as a tea ceremony, the overall gameplay lacks depth and variety, leaving some users feeling underwhelmed.
- “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.”
- “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].”
- “This game lacks all of these mechanics.”
- “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.”
- “I need not mention what others have on manual save points and other missing visual novel mechanics.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
Character development in the game is highlighted by the rich and contemporary design of its characters, inspired by South Asian mythology, which adds depth and flavor. Notably, the protagonist Jebat showcases impressive growth, while the diverse monsters are imbued with distinct personalities, enhancing the overall narrative experience.
- “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.”
- “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the protagonists.”
- “I found the character arcs to be predictable and uninspired, leaving little room for growth or surprise.”
- “The dialogue and interactions between characters are often clichéd, which detracts from the overall development of their personalities.”
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 time-consuming and frustrating.
- “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.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
150%
The atmosphere of the game is characterized as mysterious and intriguing, enhanced by captivating music and charming art that draws on sea myths and folklore. Reviewers appreciate the immersive environment, which is complemented by strong storytelling, engaging characters, and thoughtful mechanics.
- “The atmosphere and music of the kabaret itself is mysterious and intriguing, with 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.”
- “The atmosphere is lacking depth and fails to immerse the player in the world.”
- “While the visuals are appealing, the overall atmosphere feels flat and uninspired.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
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 impact players' emotional well-being. These graphic portrayals contribute to a dark atmosphere that may evoke strong emotional responses.
- “The game masterfully weaves emotional depth into its narrative, leaving players with a lingering sense of reflection long after the credits roll.”
- “The characters are so well-developed that their struggles and triumphs resonate deeply, making every victory feel earned and every loss profoundly felt.”
- “Moments of intense emotional connection are crafted through beautifully written dialogue and heart-wrenching scenarios that challenge players to confront their own feelings.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game offers limited replayability, though some players may find enough enjoyment to complete a second playthrough.
- “Replayability is almost nonexistent for me, but I did manage to finish my second playthrough!”
- “After completing the game once, I found little incentive to go back for more.”
- “The lack of meaningful choices and consequences makes replaying the game feel pointless.”