Magical Eyes - Red is for Anguish
- March 30, 2016
- Pomera Studios
Get on Steam"Magical Eyes - Red is for Anguish" is a mystery game with a story that revolves around bizarre incidents and human intentions. The player must investigate a general store owner's claim that a doll committed a crime, as the doll and evidence have disappeared. The game features stunning illustrations, voice acting, and 3D graphics, and promises to explore the potential toxicity of excess emotions.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The story is well-written and engaging, with a unique mystery that keeps players interested.
- The music and voice acting are high quality, enhancing the overall experience of the visual novel.
- The character art and presentation are visually appealing, contributing to the immersive atmosphere of the game.
- The gameplay is very limited, with no meaningful choices affecting the story, making it feel more like a kinetic novel.
- The pacing is slow, especially at the beginning, which may deter players looking for immediate engagement.
- The game feels incomplete as it is only the first chapter of a larger story, leaving many questions unanswered and potentially frustrating players.
- story65 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story has received mixed reviews, with some praising its intriguing mystery and character development, while others criticize its pacing and lack of clarity. Many players appreciate the well-crafted narrative and engaging supernatural elements, though some feel that the storytelling is hampered by disjointed plot threads and a slow start. Overall, it is seen as a promising first chapter in a larger narrative, but with unresolved issues that may leave some players wanting more.
“The first chapter still stands as a solid individual story.”
“The plot is really intriguing, basically a thriller adventure taking place in a town that we'll have to explore thoroughly.”
“Amazing visuals and great lore, this novel will catch onto you and never let go till you're finished; the mystery factor of the story is absolutely amazing, make sure you play till the end!”
“The rest of the story feels all around low effort.”
“I had a hard time getting invested in the story.”
“It feels disjointed, like two main plot threads are fighting each other for the spotlight, like the game doesn't know who should be the main focus here.”
- music17 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its quality and ability to enhance the overall experience, fitting well with various scenes and contributing to the emotional depth of the story. Many reviewers noted that the soundtrack is impressive, with some comparing it favorably to other well-known games like Persona. Overall, the music is considered a standout aspect, complementing the visuals and narrative effectively.
“The soundtrack was amazing and as you read some of the terrifying parts, the background sounds really help make you feel more tense.”
“The music fits each area well, the character art is good, and there's even a great opening animation that really impressed me.”
“I loved the story, characters, voice acting, and art, plus the music was nice too.”
“About the music either.”
“I'm not sure what to praise more - the character art, the backgrounds, the music or how dynamic some of the scenes are.”
“[*] music is appropriate with minor exceptions for the tone and feeling of the story.”
- graphics13 mentions
- 62 % positive mentions
- 15 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the character images and animations as well as the overall artwork, while others find the visuals to be disappointing and inconsistent, particularly with bland 3D backgrounds. Although there are standout pieces of artwork, many players feel that the graphics do not fully complement the engaging story and music, leading to a perception that they fall short of expectations. Overall, while the visuals have their moments, they are not the primary draw of the game.
“Most of all - there's a great story here to explore and some awesome graphics, both for what concerns backgrounds and character images (and the animations are great too!).”
“But everything's great, from the narration to the artwork, so it's really a pleasure for the senses (especially if you like the genre).”
“Amazing visuals and great lore, this novel will catch onto you and never let go till you're finished, the mystery factor of the story is absolutely amazing, make sure you play till the end!”
“Graphics-wise, it's a bit of a disappointment.”
“There are other issues, like scenes without character visuals, just text scrolling down the screen, making it very difficult to tell who is talking to whom.”
“$16 is definitely not the price this game is worth, considering that the game only has a few characters and that is the only real artwork in the game.”
- humor5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is well-crafted, blending seamlessly with its horror elements to create a unique experience that is both freaky and funny. Players appreciate the clever writing and comedic moments, such as humorous character interactions, which enhance the overall narrative and pacing. The mix of humor and drama, along with unexpected comedic twists, adds depth to the gameplay.
“It is really well written, mixed with a pinch of humor.”
“The story was freaky, sweet, sad, and hilarious at times.”
“His character introduction was so funny, I literally laughed when he called Yuu a fashion model and then did a 180-degree face turn when he finds out that he has no money on him to spend.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The gameplay is primarily focused on decision-making and quiz sections, typical of visual novels, but is criticized for being bland and lackluster. While there are some moments and side paths to explore, it falls short of expectations for those seeking more interactive experiences like Danganronpa.
“Has some gameplay moments as well and has some side paths to discover too.”
“But the gameplay is very, very bland.”
“Even for a visual novel, the gameplay is lackluster.”
“Look, it's a visual novel; there's barely any gameplay here besides the decision-making and 'quiz' sections. If you're looking for something like Danganronpa, you're going to be disappointed.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its immersive qualities, effectively drawing players into the action and enhancing their overall experience.
“It did a very good job of immersing the player into the action and atmosphere.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by a touching love story that, while impactful, can sometimes detract from the main plot's focus.
“The love story that's intertwined, while touching, can bring the plot off its tracks.”
