Macabre

About

Macabre is, at heart, a NES/SNES-inspired JRPG that tells of a post-apocalyptic tale set in medieval times. Despite the old school feel, it does feature some modern mechanics; such as in-game achievements, crafting, and a unique random encounter system.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

65%

Audience ScoreBased on 20 reviews

story8 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

Macabre Tales offers a unique take on Lovecraftian storytelling by focusing solely on H.P. Lovecraft's original writings, creating a more personal and immersive experience.
The game mechanics, particularly the use of dominoes instead of dice for checks, add an intense layer of strategy and tension, enhancing the horror experience.
The crafting system and character progression provide depth, allowing players to engage with the game world and customize their experience effectively.

The game suffers from poor design choices, including a lack of native controller support and a confusing menu navigation system that detracts from the overall experience.
Graphics and character designs are criticized for being subpar, with many players finding them unappealing and reminiscent of low-quality RPG Maker games.
The game has been reported to have significant technical issues, such as inconsistent game speed and bugs that can hinder progression, leading to frustration among players.

story
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
69%
9%
The reviews highlight a diverse range of storytelling experiences across different games. "Macabre Tales" offers a unique Lovecraftian narrative focused on personal struggles and a two-player dynamic, emphasizing the interplay between the storyteller and the player. In contrast, other games feature more traditional RPG plots, with some providing engaging twists and humor, while others suffer from linearity and pacing issues, ultimately affecting player immersion and interest.
- “Without a decent and captivating story to tell, the game can lose your interest, but this one tells a tale that keeps you interested and involved from the beginning.”
- “The story takes a couple of interesting turns and the settings are varied enough to keep you interested throughout your short journey.”
- “The combat is solid, the music is good, and the storytelling is amazing for an RPG of this kind.”
- “The story is okay, but a lot of the designs are terrible.”
- “Retro pixel graphics, terrible design, and a story of lower quality than your average Star Trek fan fiction.”
- “There isn't much character customization, and the storyline is strictly linear.”
music
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
33%
33%
The music in the game is generally praised for enhancing the overall experience, with a fitting soundtrack that complements each area and solid combat. However, some users express frustration over the lack of options for sound effects and music volume balance, as well as issues with the game's UI that detract from the enjoyment. Overall, while the music is well-mastered and enjoyable, technical shortcomings impact the experience.
- “And the music is great and adds greatly to the game's enjoyment.”
- “I'm not sure if the soundtrack is original, but it fits the game rather nicely.”
- “Each area seems to have its appropriate song matched with it.”
- “The 10cm wide window makes for basically an unplayable experience... unless of course you're happy to mess up all your desktop icons and run your OS in a resolution that was tiny last century. Fortunately, the desktop I use will remember icon positions per resolution, but this isn't usually the case. Seriously, a scalable UI is really easy to implement... unforgivable. Oh, and if you want sound effects and no music or slightly quieter music compared to effects... forget it. Just plain lazy.”
- “The 10cm wide window makes for basically an unplayable experience... unless of course you're happy to mess up all your desktop icons and run your OS in a resolution that was tiny last century. Fortunately, the desktop I use will remember icon positions per resolution, but this isn't usually the case. Seriously, a scalable UI is really easy to implement... unforgivable. Oh, and if you want sound effects and no music or slightly quieter music compared to effects... forget it. Just plain lazy.”
- “Tldr: despite some cute art and music and old-school low numbers combat.”
gameplay
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
38%
38%
The gameplay features a unique domino mechanic in place of traditional dice rolling, creating a tense decision-making experience as players navigate obstacles without any combat elements. While the gameplay can feel repetitive at times, it offers interesting challenges and evokes a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic RPGs, though some mechanics, like the "augury" equip slot, may feel underwhelming. Overall, the blend of storytelling and unconventional mechanics provides a distinct experience, despite some limitations.
- “You will then toss all of this together to overcome the obstacles and progress the story as set forth by the narrator, but not with the traditional mechanic of 'pick up some dice, roll them'.”
- “The style of gameplay felt like old school Final Fantasy games, but the enemies and characters have their own style about them that sets Macabre apart.”
- “There are, of course, a few other mechanics in the game, but one mechanic that you’ll find completely absent from the rule book is the concept of ‘combat’.”
- “The domino mechanic as a replacement for dice rolling seemed like it might be a bit clunky at first, but in the intensity of the moment, having to choose which domino to play without knowing what may be around the next corner really makes one paranoid.”
- “There is an additional 'augury' equip slot that allows your characters to get various stat bonuses at level-up, but the mechanic seemed a bit underwhelming.”
graphics
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
29%
43%
The graphics of the game are characterized by retro pixel art that many find charming, though they are criticized for being of poor quality, even by standards from the mid-90s. While some players appreciate the nostalgic feel, others point out that the designs of characters and monsters are particularly lacking, detracting from the overall experience. Despite these shortcomings, the consistent low quality contributes to a unique style that may appeal to certain audiences.
- “In addition to the crafting, the graphics really take you back for those who remember playing those classics when they came out.”
- “I've already gotten $3 out of it, and I feel safe recommending it to people who can tolerate the graphics.”
- “The quality of graphics wouldn't have been acceptable in 1995, let alone 2015.”
- “Although I gave it quite some room in the graphics department (pixel game after all), the monster and character designs are just horrible.”
- “Retro pixel graphics, terrible design and story of lower quality than your average Star Trek fan fiction.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly in relation to the crafting system, which requires constant remaking and salvaging of materials. While some appreciate the innovative ideas surrounding dungeon grinding and gear crafting, the overall experience is marred by the repetitive nature of these tasks, leading to frustration and a lack of desire to replay the game.
- “This was a pain in the heiney considering the grinding associated with the crafting system (constantly remaking and salvaging materials just to get that +1) and the overall shortness of the game.”
- “Crafting is a bit tedious.”
- “I'm not playing this again, too tedious to go through.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by well-developed, fun characters and a blend of current, natural comedic moments, including some effective dry humor. While the overall story leans towards seriousness, it successfully incorporates lighthearted elements that enhance the experience.
- “The characters are fun with lots of personality; the humor is current, nothing forced, with a few laugh-out-loud moments.”
- “The story is pretty good so far, mostly serious with some dry bits of humor that are done pretty well.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users generally find the replayability of the game to be high, citing multiple branching storylines, diverse character choices, and various difficulty levels that encourage multiple playthroughs. Many appreciate the inclusion of unlockable content and achievements that further enhance the incentive to revisit the game. However, some players note that certain gameplay elements may feel repetitive after several runs.
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate that character development is lacking, with many users criticizing the monster and character designs as subpar, which detracts from the overall experience.
- “Although I gave it quite some room in the graphics department (pixel game after all), the monster and character designs are just horrible.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is praised for its beauty, reminiscent of the immersive soundscapes created by Nobuo Uematsu in the Final Fantasy series, effectively enhancing the pixelated world.
- “It truly is beautiful, adding lots of atmosphere to the pixel world, just like Nobuo Uematsu did in the Final Fantasies.”