Karisvale

About

Your next job awaits in Karisvale, detective. Will you fulfill your duty? Or become lost in the mystery... Explore a retro top-down world, question its citizens, and collect hidden items to uncover Karisvale's dark secret.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 135 reviews

story30 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

Engaging storytelling with unexpected plot twists that keep players intrigued throughout the short playtime.
Charming pixel art style and a nostalgic atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
Easy to pick up and play, making it a fun, quick adventure that can be completed in one sitting.

The game lacks a save feature, requiring players to complete it in one sitting, which may not be convenient for everyone.
Some players experienced technical issues, such as being unable to enter the game or encountering bugs.
Character development and dialogue can feel shallow due to the game's short length and linear narrative.

story
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
21%
7%
The game's story is widely praised for its intriguing plot twists and engaging narrative, often surprising players with unexpected developments. While it is a short, mystery-focused experience reminiscent of retro gaming styles, the storytelling is complemented by charming pixel art and a captivating atmosphere. Overall, players recommend it for those who enjoy concise yet impactful narratives, though some note that it may lack depth for those seeking more complex dialogue and character development.
- “The end of the part really shocked me, the plot twist is superb!”
- “It is an intriguing and well-made mystery game that boasts excellent retro styling in terms of both audio and visual aspects, eclectic and distinct characters and gripping narrative design with a story that is clever and surprising.”
- “At first it seems to be a standard detective game where you meet odd people in a little town to figure out the mystery, but the surprising twist adds a great level up to the story that will leave you thinking.”
- “The gameplay is basic, serving only as a means to explore the story.”
- “It starts off really cute and relaxing, but the plot does appear and drags you along with it.”
- “The story starts simple: you are visiting a town to help the mayor.”
graphics
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
32%
11%
The game's graphics are praised for their charming pixel art style, vibrant colors, and beautiful character designs, often drawing comparisons to relaxing titles like Stardew Valley. While some users noted minor graphical errors, the overall presentation is considered polished and visually appealing, effectively enhancing the storytelling experience. The combination of nostalgic pixel aesthetics and creative artwork contributes to a captivating visual atmosphere.
- “The game looks very nice, with a cozy pixel art style boasting bright coloration and hand-drawn character portraits.”
- “Stunning graphics, used in the most excellent way to tell the story.”
- “The artwork is quite beautiful, as is the pixel art, and you might pick up on some references here and there.”
- “The pixel graphics encountered for the most part have a third generation console effect, but personally the females encountered do look odd with one exception, and ol' il pallino isn't being biased when he says the best-looking female encountered is the one with the anime eyes.”
- “The closeups in conversations, however, are consistent with graphics from the fourth generation of consoles.”
- “Graphics: ★★★”
music
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
82%
18%
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to create an immersive and nostalgic atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience with fitting soundtracks that complement the visuals. Many players appreciate the blend of eerie and beautiful melodies, which evoke feelings reminiscent of classic JRPGs. Despite some graphical issues, the soundtrack is consistently highlighted as a standout feature that elevates the game's emotional impact.
- “The music really creates the right vibe, and the game and controls themselves just feel good to play.”
- “The music and atmosphere made me feel nostalgic even on my first playthrough!”
- “The sounds are equally aesthetically pleasing and the background music sets the mood perfectly for the pixel graphic side of the game.”
gameplay
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
33%
33%
The gameplay is described as basic and primarily serves to facilitate story exploration, with some reviewers noting that it relies on overused tropes common in the genre. While it is functional, it may not offer anything particularly innovative or engaging beyond the narrative experience.
- “Gameplay: good”
- “My full review of this game where I go into detail about gameplay, narrative, and styling can be found on indie hive.”
- “I wasn't sure if I had already watched the gameplay somewhere (highly improbable) or if it uses tropes that are so overused in this kind of game.”
- “The gameplay is basic, serving only as a means to explore the story.”
humor
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its cute and humorous elements, featuring witty dialogue and engaging interactions. Players appreciate the blend of humor with horror, particularly noting a surprising twist at the end. Overall, the humor enhances the game's appeal, complemented by appealing visuals and character designs.
- “A funny game with a surprising twist at the end.”
- “The dialogue is humorous and to the point.”
- “It's funny, and the horror elements and twist are done well.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its charm and nostalgic qualities, enhanced by evocative music and beautiful character portraits. Players appreciate the initial JRPG vibes that transition into a nerve-wracking meta thriller, creating a compelling and immersive experience.
- “It is charming, cool, atmosphere-building, and provides great theory fodder.”
- “The music and atmosphere made me feel nostalgic even on my first playthrough!”
- “What an interesting story! I really liked the initial JRPG vibes, which gave a lot of 'To the Moon' energy with the beautiful character portraits and the music/atmosphere. Then the energy shifts into a nerve-wracking meta thriller!”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
150%
Character development in the game is noted to be limited, with a short narrative and a branching dialogue system that lacks significant impact on the story. However, the visuals and character designs are praised, along with some engaging and humorous interactions.
- “The game features impressive character development, with engaging interactions that add depth to the story.”
- “The character designs are visually appealing, and the interactions are both interesting and humorous.”
- “The branching dialogue system enhances character development, allowing for meaningful choices that impact the narrative.”
- “Character development feels shallow and lacks meaningful choices.”
- “The branching dialogue system is inconsequential and doesn't impact the story.”
- “There is little to no growth in the characters throughout the game.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players have noted that the game's music and atmosphere evoke a strong sense of nostalgia, enhancing the emotional experience even for first-time players.
- “The music and atmosphere made me feel nostalgic even on my first playthrough!”
- “The character development was so profound that I found myself emotionally invested in their journey.”
- “I was moved to tears by the storyline; it resonated with my own experiences in a way I never expected.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players generally find that the game does not require excessive grinding for achievements, indicating a more balanced approach to progression.
- “The grinding in this game feels endless and tedious, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “I find the grind for levels and gear to be incredibly repetitive and unfulfilling.”
- “The amount of time required to grind for resources is overwhelming and detracts from the overall experience.”