Mary Skelter 2

76%
Game Brain Score Based on 102 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Mary Skelter 2 Game Cover
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The Nightmare continues in Mary Skelter 2! In this first-person dungeon crawler, play as fairy tale-inspired characters called Blood Maidens, each with deeply customizable character-specific classes. Balance between power and madness in turn-based battles with a blood-fueled transformation system, and escape a living prison while indestructible Nightmares give chase in real time. This game also i…

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Reviews

76%
Audience ScoreBased on 102 reviews
story12 positive mentions
optimization3 negative mentions
  • The game features great design, music, and a solid story that keeps players engaged.
  • The gameplay mechanics are interesting, allowing for character customization and unique combat systems.
  • Includes a remastered version of the first game, providing great value and continuity in the series.
  • The PC port is plagued with frequent crashes, leading to significant loss of progress and frustration.
  • The graphics and performance are subpar compared to other platforms, with issues like low resolution and poor optimization.
  • Censorship and translation issues have marred the experience, with some content removed or poorly localized.
  • story53 mentions

    The story in the game is generally seen as entertaining and charming, though it lacks depth and can be confusing due to insufficient worldbuilding and localization issues. While some players appreciate the character development and plot twists, others find the narrative simplistic or repetitive, with a recommendation to play the first game, "Mary Skelter: Nightmares," before diving into the sequel for a better understanding of the story. Overall, the narrative is engaging enough to keep players invested, despite its flaws.

    • “The story might not be as deep or intense as other RPG stories, but it's entertaining and interesting.”
    • “One of the best dungeon crawlers on the market, characters are amazing, the world is intriguing and the story keeps you guessing all the way.”
    • “I was especially surprised by the story, which was pretty bold so far and has some good ideas writing-wise.”
    • “Sadly, the worldbuilding is still not fleshed out enough in the game, and there are also some reading materials not included, so the story can be confusing at first.”
    • “The overall story, the tweaks, and the new mechanics implemented were not enough to deliver a fresh experience.”
    • “Mary Skelter 2, from the beginning, I thought this game was just the same as the first one, like a remake or something because the plot is almost identical.”
  • gameplay37 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is characterized by a mix of innovative mechanics and traditional JRPG elements, offering a fun and engaging experience, particularly for fans of series like Persona and Disgaea. However, players have reported significant issues with crashes that can lead to lost progress, as well as a steep learning curve due to complicated mechanics and inadequate tutorials. While the dungeon crawling and combat mechanics are praised for their depth and creativity, the overall experience is marred by technical problems and confusing navigation.

    • “The gameplay in this one is really good, probably the best out of the three Mary Skelter games, in my opinion.”
    • “The gameplay is really solid in my experience; individual turns aren't ultra complicated, but it has unique mechanics that add a solid amount of engagement to the battles overall.”
    • “The dungeon crawling has a lot of quality of life features; the auto-pilot alone is a great welcome, and the game has a lot of mechanics regarding both combat and exploring to always keep you on your toes.”
    • “This game is a clusterfuck of every single JRPG mechanic you could possibly think of.”
    • “The tutorials aren't remotely useful either; they explain basic aspects of a mechanic but not when or why anything should be used, very annoying.”
    • “Gameplay is still unbearable, just like a nightmare.”
  • graphics18 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players criticizing the poor port quality that limits graphical options and fidelity, particularly compared to the PS4 version. While some appreciate the art style and aesthetic, the lack of customization and frequent crashes detract significantly from the overall experience. Additionally, the game suffers from graphical regressions and bugs, leading to frustration among users.

    • “The overall graphic quality is better than the first; one major complaint is the confusing nature of the mini map during actual gameplay.”
    • “Comparing to the first game, it has improved graphics and interface.”
    • “It's anime-ish enough in that some aspects lean lightly sexual, but it's usually kept tame enough that it adds to the game's tone and aesthetic in a way that's interesting and enhances the experience.”
    • “It pains me to say it, but unless you know Japanese or really don't care about the broken graphics, you're better off skipping the entire series at this point.”
    • “Bad port but bad in the sense there are no options aside from resolution and that the game uses the Nintendo Switch graphics rather than PS4 with no option to change this. You know this is Steam, not console. We want and like options here; why should I need to have the Switch graphics on my RX 7900 XTX? Also, Ghostlight are to put it nicely, a terrible publisher.”
    • “Now that I explained this, I'll explain the other reason why this game was handled badly: it's a poor port from the Nintendo Switch version, which means lower resolution for 2D elements and lower graphical fidelity in general. It also crashes pretty often and randomly. If you check the discussions, it seems like they did patch the game for a while, but then abandoned it with people still crashing. The reasons seem to be random and different between users; for example, I crashed 8 times in this title and also froze at least a couple of times.”
  • optimization8 mentions

    The optimization of the Steam version of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users reporting significant performance issues and bugs, particularly related to stuttering and graphics settings. While a few players found the performance acceptable, many expressed disappointment, noting that the game is poorly optimized for PC compared to other ports. Overall, the game's optimization appears to be a major drawback, affecting accessibility and enjoyment for some players.

    • “Random encounters were one-shotting me and I was not under-leveled; I was fairly optimized.”
    • “The performance is good for me at least and I really enjoyed it so far.”
    • “Maybe other ports of the game are better optimized, but the Steam version has a major issue.”
    • “Great game, but optimized very poorly on PC.”
    • “There is also a bug with stutter and MSAA somehow being enabled on 2D elements, which results in performance and rendering related problems when running through Proton (and is why the game wasn't verified for Steam Deck support) as well.”
  • music8 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the soundtrack and its integration with the gameplay, others express disappointment over the heavy reliance on remixed tracks from a previous title, with only a couple of new compositions. Additionally, issues with audio mixing, such as muted sound effects and sudden volume spikes, detract from the overall experience.

    • “I personally really like the music, design, and gameplay in this.”
    • “Music is also great, it doesn't get old.”
    • “Overall, I love it; the character, soundtrack, and the story, even though the dungeon crawler gameplay makes my head hurt a lot, but I still love it.”
    • “Music: kind of disappointed that the music is kind of remix and reuse from Nightmare; there are just two real new BGM for the new area. It's bad because I want to hear some original songs.”
    • “Not to mention the audio mixing is really bad. Some sound effects don't play, some sounds are extremely muted, and during my playtime of 1 hour, I've had 3 random spikes in the volume where the music plays normally and then all of a sudden it's blaring in my ears, which is super aggravating.”
  • grinding7 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while it can feel tedious, especially on higher difficulties, the inclusion of engaging story elements and character development helps alleviate some of the monotony. Some features, like blood farming for upgraded equipment, are seen as unnecessary by certain players, yet others appreciate the variety of ways to make grinding more rewarding. Overall, the game offers a solid dungeon crawling experience, though it suffers from persistent grinding issues that have not been addressed since its initial release.

    • “I didn't like the blood farming system and the blood skills/equipment skills; it was an unnecessary addition in my opinion.”
    • “Other than that, this game has a debilitating issue with grinding that was never patched since the Switch/PS4 release.”
    • “Both games have parts in the mid-game that drag, but there are always important plot reveals being doled out, which is good because dungeon crawling can be tedious (still fun, but tedious).”
  • stability3 mentions

    The game has been criticized for its stability, with users reporting numerous bugs and issues that detract from the overall experience. Many feel it is a poorly executed port, leading to disappointment among fans of the series.

    • “However, from my experience, this one is just as buggy as the previous one.”
    • “This isn't a review; this is to inform you that the game, as it currently stands, is a buggy mess and an overall horrid port of one of my favorite series of all time.”
    • “In conclusion, I was really excited for this, and I'm sad to see this come in a buggy, half-hearted release.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with users highlighting the quality of enemies, clothing, dungeons, and overall ambiance, which is consistent with the strengths of the first game. The bundled sequel and prequel further enhance the immersive experience, making it a compelling package.

    • “Enemies, clothing, dungeons, and the atmosphere are great.”
    • “The game itself (story, characters, atmosphere, music, etc.) was all great, just like the first game. Here you get the sequel and prequel bundled together, so it's a good deal.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development in Mary Skelter 2 is noted for its intriguing premise and strong character design, contributing to an engaging experience within the dungeon-crawling gameplay.

    • “Mary Skelter 2 holds an interesting premise, has great character design, and is a fun dungeon crawler to enjoy.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by the wholesome representation of the relationship between Otsuu and ningyo-hime, which resonates positively with players, showcasing a heartfelt and authentic portrayal of love.

    • “Otsuu and Ningyo-hime are probably the most wholesome lesbian representation I’ve seen in gaming.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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Critic Reviews

77% average critic score

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Play time

24hMedian play time
24hAverage play time
24-24hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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