Manna for our Malices
- February 11, 2019
- John Ohno
Get on SteamIn "Manna for our Malices," Akagi Ai must work with her past self to uncover why she keeps dying and coming back, while also becoming entangled in mysterious events involving her friends. This decision-heavy visual novel features branching time loops and progressively unlocking scenes as new clues are discovered. Explore different options and consequences in this intriguing mystery.
Mac OS
PC
Phone
Windows
Android
Linux
Mobile Platform
Tablet
Reviews
- The story is engaging and well-constructed, with multiple branching paths that keep players invested.
- The writing is generally praised for its depth and character development, making the experience enjoyable despite the art style.
- The game offers a unique time-loop mechanic that encourages exploration and experimentation with choices.
- The art style is often described as poor or unattractive, which may deter some players from trying the game.
- The final parts of the game can feel nonsensical, with some players experiencing glitches or confusing logic that disrupts immersion.
- Some character arcs and subplots are left unresolved, leading to a feeling of incompleteness in the narrative.
- story38 mentions
- 16 % positive mentions
- 76 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The story of the game is a standout feature, with users praising its engaging narrative and thoughtful character development, despite some criticism of the art style. The plot incorporates elements of time loops and branching choices, which adds depth and encourages exploration of different outcomes. Overall, while the execution may have some flaws, the writing and storytelling are compelling enough to recommend the game to those who appreciate intricate narratives.
“You can tell the developer went above and beyond to come up with very elaborate background and story elements you don't see in a lot of these types of games.”
“Overall, 'Manna for Our Malices' has its funny moments that help lighten the mood to what can be seen as a heavy sci-fi horror plot with a mix of good and bad ending achievements, and if you can overlook the art and music, you will have an entertaining and somewhat surreal plot to burrow your way through!”
“The artwork is charming, and the story is a bit repetitive due to being stuck in a sort of time loop.”
“The execution of the story and the decent writing totally took me by surprise.”
“The plot is of our main female protagonist, Akagi Ai, who, after a day at school that leads to detention, mysteriously dies on the journey home.”
- music11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The music in the game is described as avant-garde and unique, appealing to some players, while others find it repetitive and potentially annoying after multiple listens. Although the instrumental tracks are limited and may not meet high standards, they contribute to the overall atmosphere, with a retro feel reminiscent of early video game soundtracks. Overall, while the music may not be exceptional, it serves its purpose within the game's context.
“The music is weird as hell in a very deliberate avant-garde way that I enjoy.”
“The music is pretty.”
“The individual scene's looping music can be considered retro (think early Game Boy Mario with its high-pitched sound).”
“The instrumental music wasn’t present as much as usual.”
“The individual scene's looping music can be considered retro (think early Game Boy Mario with its high-pitched sound), but after a few replays, it can quickly become a grinding annoyance to your poor ears. If this applies to you, I'd suggest lowering the music and effects volume in the preferences!”
“The art and music really are nothing special, and if you are one of the people that need great graphics in all your games, you might want to pass this one.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game evoke mixed reactions, with some players finding the art style charming despite its perceived jankiness and lack of polish, while others criticize it as unattractive and poorly executed. The colorful character designs and unique presentation elements add a certain appeal, but those who prioritize high-quality visuals may be disappointed. Overall, the artwork seems to have a quirky charm that resonates with some, while alienating others.
“I personally enjoyed the artwork and I like how each character had their own personalities.”
“The artwork is charming and the story is a bit repetitive due to being stuck in a sort-of time loop.”
“The art isn't as hi-spec as seen elsewhere in this genre, though it has its own appeal by being both colorful and aesthetically pleasing to the eye with its character movements & gestures alongside a unique touch of adding a character sketch to the left of the text representing the current talking character.”
“Now whether the art style is genuine incompetence, a stylistic choice, or an attempt to use a stylistic choice to mask genuine incompetence, I genuinely cannot tell.”
“The artwork, which was probably drawn in paint, is jokingly bad, to the point where the question arises if anyone even put any effort into drawing the characters.”
“To put it bluntly; I'm simply no longer interested in playing a visual novel when I dislike the artwork, thus I was about to decline the offer at first.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted as a key element that lightens the otherwise heavy sci-fi horror narrative, with characters like Ai and Mimi providing amusing moments. While the overall artistic and musical aspects may not stand out, the entertaining and surreal plot, combined with its comedic elements, offers a unique experience for players.
“She's so funny!”
“Overall, 'Manna for Our Malices' has its funny moments that help lighten the mood to what can be seen as a heavy sci-fi horror plot with a mix of good and bad ending achievements (15 in total). Even though it doesn't have outstanding art or music/effects, if you can overlook this, then you will have an entertaining and somewhat surreal plot to burrow your way through!”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the visual novel is praised for its nostalgic and eerie qualities, with some users noting that its amateurish aesthetic contributes to a unique, low-budget horror vibe that enhances the overall experience.
“It definitely works for the atmosphere.”
“Maybe the feeling of nostalgia is playing tricks on me, but I really enjoyed the conveyed atmosphere in this visual novel.”
“They have something eerie attached to them because they look amateurish, and some low-budget horror movies are more atmospheric merely because they are somewhat cheaply made.”
- gameplay3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its engaging and interactive nature, allowing players to gradually uncover information alongside the main character, which enhances the storytelling experience and makes the game feel more immersive.
“I really enjoyed the gameplay and the gradual discovery of information, piecing things together with the main character during the first 70% of the game!”
“The gameplay felt really interactive, which made the story feel longer than it actually was.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by a touching heart-to-heart conversation in the Aoi storyline, which resonates with players. However, some reviewers find it odd that the main character's reaction to the revelation of the first Aoi's death feels muted, detracting from the overall emotional impact.
“I like the conclusion of the Aoi storyline where they have a heart-to-heart about the clone situation; it's very touching. However, it's a bit odd that during that conversation, the main character does not react more to the revelation about the first Aoi being dead.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the looping music reminiscent of retro games, but it can become grating after repeated listens, leading to a recommendation to lower the volume in the settings to avoid auditory fatigue.
“The looping music in individual scenes can be considered retro, reminiscent of early Game Boy Mario with its high-pitched sound. However, after a few replays, it quickly becomes a grinding annoyance to your ears. If this applies to you, I suggest lowering the music and effects volume in the preferences!”
“Grinding in this game feels tedious and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged with the overall experience.”
“The constant need to grind for resources feels like a chore rather than an enjoyable part of the game, leading to frustration rather than fun.”
