Mad Father

About

"Mad Father" is a horror adventure game where you play as Aya Drevis, an 11-year-old girl, and uncover the secrets of her family's manor, which is the site of maniacal experiments. To explore the mansion, you'll use various weapons like chainsaws and knives. This remade version features updated graphics, new scenes, and a second playthrough mode called "Blood Mode" which alters the story.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

98%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,143 reviews

story980 positive mentions

grinding12 negative mentions

Engaging and twisted storyline that keeps players invested.
Beautiful pixel art and improved graphics in the remake enhance the overall experience.
Interesting puzzles and multiple endings provide good replay value.

Some players may find the quick time events frustrating.
The game is relatively short, taking around 3-4 hours to complete.
Certain puzzles can be confusing, leading to potential backtracking.

story
1,960 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
48%
2%
The story of "Mad Father" is widely praised for its engaging and twisted narrative, centered around a young girl named Aya who navigates her father's dark secrets in a haunted mansion. Players appreciate the depth of the plot, which includes multiple endings and character backstories that enhance the overall experience, making it both emotionally impactful and thought-provoking. While some find the story predictable or simplistic, many agree that its combination of horror elements and rich storytelling makes it a standout in the RPG Maker genre.
- “I’ve been surprised multiple times by the story as I played, uncovering secrets that kept me engaged.”
- “The story was very beautiful; I would buy it if they make a sequel.”
- “The story is quite well written in my opinion, slowly unraveling secrets and tragedies surrounding this little girl which you grow to love and root for.”
- “The story is nonsensical and leaves a lot unexplained.”
- “Although the art and character design of the game are exquisite, the ending of the plot does not bring much surprise, and the three endings also lack positive relief.”
- “The story is just okay, nothing really groundbreaking to keep me going.”
graphics
510 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
55%
1%
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim, particularly following its remaster, which enhances the original pixel art style with richer environments and more expressive character designs. Players appreciate the charming and cute aesthetic, which contrasts effectively with the game's darker themes, while the updated visuals have been noted for their significant improvement over the original version. Overall, the combination of beautiful artwork, engaging animations, and a well-executed horror atmosphere contributes to a visually captivating experience.
- “The remastered graphics breathe new life into the twisted world of Aya Drevis, with richer environments and more expressive character designs.”
- “The graphics are absolutely charming and I really loved figuring out the puzzles.”
- “The new graphics look so beautiful and much more polished, and the gameplay is much smoother than what I remembered from playing the original.”
- “I do have to say, however, that I wouldn't recommend expanding the screen size despite the relatively small window it opens in, as the visuals get very fuzzy and distorted.”
- “The art style is also well done, but doesn't exactly fit the tone of what you would expect of a gothic horror story set in Germany; the art is reminiscent of Japanese anime/manga as opposed to European classical.”
- “This is a really odd remake, as it feels more like a rehaul of the same game, using the same engine, same sound effects, and somewhat same artwork.”
gameplay
372 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
62%
1%
The gameplay of "Mad Father" is characterized by a blend of exploration, puzzle-solving, and quick-time events, creating an engaging experience that balances tension and intrigue. While the mechanics are generally simple and accessible, they effectively support the game's intricate story and atmosphere, making it suitable for both newcomers and seasoned horror fans. Despite some critiques regarding its linearity and occasional frustrating puzzles, the overall gameplay is praised for its fun and immersive qualities, with many players appreciating the unique mechanics and improvements in the remastered version.
- “Gameplay improvements make exploration and puzzle-solving smoother, maintaining the perfect balance of tension and intrigue.”
- “Mad Father not only holds up after all these years, it surpasses some of its horror contemporaries with an engaging story about a young girl living in a house of madness, brilliant puzzles that don't rely on moon logic and accessible gameplay for people that want to start with the horror genre yet not be swallowed by the dreadful hide and wait for the scary moments to go away.”
- “The gameplay is a mix of puzzle-solving and running away from creepy dolls (because apparently, regular dolls weren't scary enough).”
- “I feel I wasted money on this game; I saw the good reviews and bought it, but the puzzles were pretty bad, and I did not like the gameplay.”
- “Gameplay is about as much as you can expect - minimalist with frustrating puzzles and panic-inducing chase scenes.”
- “Let me be frank here, this isn't a game you're going to play for the gameplay; this is a game that you're going to enjoy for the story and ambiance.”
music
342 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
40%
2%
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the atmospheric experience, with many reviewers highlighting its eerie and haunting qualities that perfectly complement the game's dark themes. The original soundtrack features a mix of beautiful piano melodies and creepy tunes, creating a sense of immersion and tension throughout gameplay. While some players noted occasional issues with volume levels, the overall consensus is that the music is a standout element, contributing significantly to the game's emotional impact and nostalgic appeal.
- “The music perfectly matches the cold, dark atmosphere of the mansion, and it shifts dynamically depending on the intensity of the scene.”
- “The music is perhaps the highlight of Mad Father, featuring some mesmerizing tracks that manage to fully immerse you into this dark adventure and add to the already creepy atmosphere.”
- “The soundtrack is so lovely that I've always stared at the main menu just to listen to the theme song.”
- “The music is lame and cliche.”
- “I actually had to turn the music all the way down because I would panic and hit the wrong button or run the wrong way.”
- “The music sometimes - depending on the song - is either too loud or too quiet, which can be annoying sometimes.”
atmosphere
236 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
37%
3%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its eerie and immersive qualities, enhanced by a haunting soundtrack that dynamically shifts with the intensity of the scenes. Players appreciate the detailed environments and the way the game builds tension without relying heavily on jump scares, creating a chilling experience that keeps them engaged throughout. Overall, the combination of compelling storytelling, captivating visuals, and a rich sound design contributes to a uniquely unsettling atmosphere that resonates with fans of horror games.
- “The game’s eerie atmosphere, compelling storyline, and haunting visuals have not only stood the test of time but have been beautifully enhanced.”
- “The music perfectly matches the cold, dark atmosphere of the mansion, and it shifts dynamically depending on the intensity of the scene.”
- “This game does a fantastic job building an atmosphere that holds your attention and unnerves you while you play.”
- “However, it's a game with a meaningful, relatable topic and subtext, wrapped in a consistently ghoulish, oppressive and downright creepy atmosphere.”
- “The story is captivating and chilling at times, a horror that can make the hair on your arms stand up straight without jump scares, just pure atmosphere.”
- “There's almost no combat in the game, and when you're up against something that can kill you, you're usually running, playing a small minigame, finding a way around it, or just watching the story unfold; it's all about the exploration, atmosphere, and story anyway.”
emotional
68 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "Mad Father" is characterized by its deeply touching and often heartbreaking narrative, exploring themes of family, loss, and ambition. Players report feeling a strong connection to the protagonist, Aya, as they navigate a grotesque yet poignant story filled with tragic twists and emotional depth. While some find the pacing slow and the emotional impact less surprising compared to similar titles, many agree that the game successfully elicits empathy and nostalgia, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of emotional horror RPGs.
- “Themes of family, loss, and the dark consequences of ambition hit harder, revealing layers of emotional depth that feel more poignant with time.”
- “The story is gripping and the emotional aspects make you feel so much sympathy for these characters.”
- “I loved its emotional appeal and how it elicits a sense of empathy from us through the use of flashbacks which never gets old.”
replayability
48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
52%
6%
The game "Mad Father" is praised for its high replayability, offering multiple endings and additional modes that encourage players to revisit the experience. While some players note that the scares can become predictable over time, the engaging story and various challenges keep the gameplay fresh. Overall, it is considered a worthwhile investment with decent replay value, especially for completionists and those seeking to improve their performance.
- “I also have to compliment the replayability of Mad Father with its multiple endings to achieve and different modes you can play through and unlock by achieving the various endings.”
- “It has an intricate yet dark story, and it has infinite replay value.”
- “This game has fantastic replay value and the achievements are manageable for even the less seasoned players.”
- “Once you get all endings, there's little replay value.”
- “It is a very linear story; therefore, it lacks replay value except for the four different endings.”
- “I loved the story of this game; I got immersed already at like 5 minutes into the game. For the time put into this game, the price is really worth it. I don't know about the replay value, though; I guess I could play through this game again in like 2 years, but not any time sooner.”
character development
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
37%
10%
Character development in the game is generally viewed as limited, with Aya being the most notable character who evolves from a strong, kind child to a sensible adult. While the character designs are praised for their beauty and creativity, some players express disappointment in the lack of depth in character arcs, particularly in the endings. Overall, the game excels in artistic presentation but offers only modest character growth.
- “I love the story and character development.”
- “This is one of my top three games; the storyline and character development were fantastic.”
- “There isn't much in the way of character development, but Aya demonstrates the most progress from being strong, kind, and smart for her young age to a sensible adult.”
- “Little disappointed when they decided to change the character design from the original game.”
- “Although the art and character design of the game are exquisite, the ending of the plot does not bring much surprise, and the three endings also lack positive relief.”
humor
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is often described as unintentional, stemming from its pixel art style and abrupt jump scares that can be amusing rather than frightening. Players find moments of levity in character expressions and situations, such as the father/daughter chase scene, which adds a charming contrast to the game's darker themes. Overall, the humor serves to lighten the experience, making it enjoyable despite its horror elements.
- “Part with the three maids was really funny.”
- “Some of the jump scares can be unintentionally funny, due to the art style being pixelated. I kept dying in the father/daughter chase scene, and the dude's face being close up was hilarious because it looked like he was glitching out like an old 90's game. That's part of the charm as well.”
- “The scares are sometimes funny and unexpected, and I love how the game has been updated throughout the years.”
grinding
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
7%
86%
Overall, players find the grinding in this game to be less tedious than expected, with many noting that achieving all endings and accomplishments does not require excessive repetition. While some still perceive a degree of grindiness typical of RPGs, the game is praised for its engaging storyline and minimal filler tasks, making it a more enjoyable experience compared to other titles in the genre.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “☐ you'll need a second life for grinding”
- “I'm prejudiced against RPG games because they tend to be grindy, boring, and generic, but Mad Father completely won me over.”
- “It's definitely not as bad as other games in the genre, but still enough to be tedious.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
Players have praised the game's optimization, highlighting significant improvements in both accuracy and performance, which enhance the overall experience.
- “Horror game so wonderful, and thank you for improving the accuracy and performance of the game.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
Users consistently report that the game is stable and free of bugs, indicating a smooth and reliable experience.
- “The game is completely bug-free!”
- “The game runs smoothly without any bugs!”
- “I haven't encountered any bugs while playing!”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The reviews indicate a strong focus on microtransactions, suggesting that players are concerned about their prevalence and impact on the gaming experience.