Mary Skelter: Nightmares

Solid and definitely has an audience. There could be some hard-to-ignore faults, but the experience is fun.

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"Mary Skelter: Nightmares" is a dark dungeon-crawling RPG where players control Jack and the Blood Team as they navigate through a nightmarish living prison called the "Jail" to escape. The game features turn-based battles with eerie creatures called Marchens and the ability to escape dungeons using unique character abilities. The story is inspired by twisted fairy tales and follows the characters' journey to regain their lost humanity.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

84%

Audience ScoreBased on 374 reviews

story93 positive mentions

grinding46 negative mentions

Engaging story with a unique dark fairy tale theme.
Interesting gameplay mechanics, including the blood and corruption systems that add depth to combat.
Well-designed characters with distinct personalities and abilities.

Frequent bugs and crashes, particularly in the post-game dungeon.
Repetitive dungeon design with large, tedious maps that can feel overwhelming.
Combat can become stale due to limited viable strategies and skills.

story
243 mentions
38 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The story of the game is a blend of dark fantasy and horror elements, featuring a unique premise where characters based on fairy tales navigate a living prison called the "Jail." While many players find the narrative engaging and appreciate the character development, some criticize it for being predictable and occasionally lacking depth. Overall, the storytelling is seen as a strong point, with a mix of intriguing plot twists and character interactions that keep players invested, despite some repetitive elements and pacing issues.
- “The story is unique and has many different hints to the real 'marchens' that the characters are from, as well as an excellent voice acting cast.”
- “The story picks up right away and you get versed in the characters.”
- “The story is enjoyable without being exceptional; the gameplay is enjoyable, and the difficulty changes if you decide to use the broken strategies, but can be really hard if you don't.”
- “Something feels off about the story, like something's missing to make it truly enjoyable.”
- “The story of this game is okay, but you can see from miles away what's going to happen since the game just makes it too obvious.”
- “As the story progresses, it becomes very clear what plot twist will await you, and so when it happens, you just shake your head and laugh, because the game tries to sell it as a mysterious thing when, in reality, you knew it since the game started because the game gives you a million hints.”
gameplay
158 mentions
29 % positive mentions
68 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Mary Skelter" is characterized by its turn-based combat and dungeon-crawling mechanics, featuring unique elements like a blood/corruption system and a nightmare mechanic that adds tension. While some players appreciate the depth and variety of gameplay options, others find it repetitive and bogged down by tedious mechanics, with a reliance on area-of-effect attacks leading to a lack of challenge. Overall, the game appeals to fans of classic JRPGs and dungeon crawlers, but may not satisfy those seeking a more streamlined or innovative experience.
- “The gameplay is surprisingly good if you like this style of RPG.”
- “The unique mechanic in this game is the blood meter or the stress mechanic, which informs the player when they're going to go either massacre or blood skelter, adding depth to the combat.”
- “It's an excellent dungeon crawler with well-balanced turn-based gameplay, and a series of maps so deep that you'll need over 100 hours to even get close to finishing the game completely.”
- “Art's striking but the gameplay is sub-par for the genre.”
- “In terms of gameplay, it's always the same... spam your strongest AoE attack and win.”
- “Looks like a great dungeon crawler RPG on the outside but it just devolves into a tedious RPG with bare-bone mechanics.”
graphics
69 mentions
42 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the unique art style and aesthetics, particularly in the dungeons, which are described as visually appealing and fitting for the horror theme. However, some users note technical issues such as crashes and a lack of graphical options, leading to a perception of the graphics being a downgrade from previous versions. Overall, while the visuals are generally well-received, they are marred by performance issues and inconsistencies in quality across different areas.
- “The graphics are beautiful.”
- “The animation and visuals are smooth, allowing for the movement to not disorient the viewer and making it so that the viewer can notice what can be done and where it's possible to go at any point of the exploration.”
- “I love the dark aesthetic that is mixed in with bright color overtones to give it that nightmare-fairy tale vibe without being dull and moody.”
- “Random graphics crashes, very upsetting that there isn't a proper fix for this.”
- “Graphically a downgrade compared to the Vita/Switch versions.”
- “The only downside would be the graphics.”
music
63 mentions
48 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its quality and ability to enhance the atmosphere, with many reviewers praising the unique soundtracks that fit various zones and dungeons. While some noted occasional repetitiveness, the overall composition, including battle themes and ambient tracks, is described as engaging and well-suited to the game's gothic fairy tale aesthetic. Many players consider the soundtrack a significant reason to play, highlighting its emotional impact and memorable melodies.
- “I've already hinted about the game's music, but I need to give extra kudos to the quality, direction, and the perfect match of music for each zone.”
- “The music is very good and fits very well the atmosphere, kind of fairytale-like with gothic horror.”
- “From the storytelling to the soundtrack, everything fits the theme of the game perfectly.”
- “The only low point I'd say the game has is probably the music; sometimes it can feel just a bit monotonous or trying to get the traveling merchant to show, but overall just a great game that's sadly overlooked and I'd call pretty underrated.”
- “It's very repetitive and you'll hear the same song looping constantly in each individual dungeon.”
- “The ost became completely forgettable.”
grinding
48 mentions
2 % positive mentions
2 % neutral mentions
96 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that grinding is a significant aspect of the game, with many players finding it either enjoyable or tedious depending on their preferences. While some appreciate the grind as part of the RPG experience, others criticize it for being excessive and leading to repetitive gameplay, particularly in dungeon crawling and character leveling. Overall, the game caters to fans of grind-heavy mechanics, but may deter casual players who dislike such elements.
- “I'm on normal mode, and it's not grindy by any means; it just requires you to have good coordination with some strategy in mind.”
- “The only downside is the amount of grinding required, which may put off casual players.”
- “Almost all of the game's time is spent slogging through unnecessarily complex dungeons and grinding, grinding, grinding.”
- “There is a lot of farming and grinding involved if you want to end the game on normal difficulty.”
atmosphere
19 mentions
47 % positive mentions
37 % neutral mentions
16 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its captivating blend of visual design, audio, and world-building, creating a dark, gothic fairy tale setting that enhances the dungeon-crawling experience. Players appreciate the immersive soundtracks and sound effects that complement the eerie environments, contributing to a sense of tension and exploration. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, making it a compelling choice for fans of horror-themed RPGs.
- “The game's visual design, audio, sound effects, and overall atmosphere blend into a fascinating experience where you want to reach the goal of the game.”
- “The music is very good and fits the atmosphere well, creating a fairytale-like yet gothic horror experience.”
- “The game is a dungeon crawler first and foremost; if you're not doing fights, in the district, or engaging in some story elements, you'll be face-first in a dungeon, completing puzzles and exploring the mess of assets in your way. This environment is loosely related to something in the real world but also unrecognizable to the norm, which adds to the game's overall atmosphere.”
- “There was satisfying dungeon exploration with the horror atmosphere of the dungeons, allowing for varying playstyles and very good visual design overall.”
- “Marky Skelter is an interesting and innovative RPG, with a dark and creepy atmosphere and setting.”
stability
11 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting frequent bugs and crashes, particularly in the post-game content, which can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences. While some players find the game generally solid despite minor visual glitches, others recommend opting for the GOG version over the Steam version due to its superior stability. Overall, while the game is playable, players should be prepared for potential issues that may disrupt their experience.
- “I love Mary Skelter Nightmares, but the Steam version is super buggy and basically unplayable. Get the GOG version instead; that version doesn't crash or have any bugs.”
- “The post-game dungeon is so buggy and annoying; you need to save every 2-3 minutes or it freezes your PC.”
- “I'm very frustrated by the amount of times I had to reload an old save because of freezes.”
character development
10 mentions
70 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is praised for its solid and visually appealing character designs, which contribute to the overall aesthetic experience. However, some players feel that certain character arcs are rushed and overly explicit in conveying lessons, detracting from the depth of the storytelling. Despite these critiques, the unique stories and engaging character dynamics keep players invested in the narrative.
- “It managed to become one of my top favorite franchises; the character designs are awesome, the story is engaging, and the buildup is impressive.”
- “I'm quite satisfied with how the writer handles character development; as the story progresses, you don't know who to trust and why we even fight those monsters.”
- “The character designs are pretty amazing, and there's a variety of designs for each character based on their job.”
- “Some character development is too rushed in an effort to display it; for example, a character may state a lesson they've learned in an overly obvious way, which is unnecessary.”
- “While the character designs are solid, they are somewhat reused between the same classes, which detracts from the overall development.”
- “The character development feels lacking, as it often fails to provide depth and nuance, leaving characters feeling one-dimensional.”
humor
9 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by genuinely funny character interactions and a mix of comedic and deep storytelling, making the experience enjoyable even amidst darker themes. Players appreciate the blend of humor with the game's narrative, which features quirky character dynamics and amusing scenarios, contributing to an overall fun atmosphere. Despite its horror elements, the game manages to deliver laughs, making it appealing to fans of dark comedy in JRPGs.
- “Had fun playing through the story, the character interactions were funny too.”
- “The story is both humorous and deep in turns.”
- “It's so funny!”
optimization
8 mentions
50 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews; while some players report excellent performance and smooth gameplay, others criticize it for poor system recommendations and inadequate CPU/GPU utilization, leading to noticeable stutters. Overall, the game's optimization appears inconsistent, with some users experiencing significant issues despite having capable hardware.
- “The port overall is good in my opinion, the game runs really smooth and has great performance.”
- “Performance was perfect.”
- “Finally, it has good optimization and game mechanics.”
- “The game has dishonest system recommendations and it doesn't even properly take advantage of the CPU/GPU, which are at low loads despite the awful performance.”
- “Its biggest problem so far is that it is very badly optimized. There are a lot of stutters in some places, which is really annoying. If they knew how to code properly, this wouldn't happen considering how strong my computer is.”
emotional
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is a blend of contrasting themes, featuring a gruesome horror narrative alongside a heartwarming harem storyline that explores deep character relationships. Players appreciate the wholesome interactions and relationship events that enhance character development, though some express a desire for a more impactful emotional experience, particularly regarding the game's endings. Overall, the emotional engagement is characterized by a mix of lightheartedness and darker elements, creating a unique emotional landscape.
- “Outside of combat, there are many 'relationship events' that reward you with fan service CG when you get deep enough in them, but they are mostly wholesome and help you get to know your characters more.”
- “- didn't get emotionally destroyed with the bad ending.”
replayability
3 mentions
67 % positive mentions
-33 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
Overall, while players feel that the game offers sufficient content for its price, the replayability is limited due to repetitive dungeon crawling and a lack of variety in gameplay experiences.
- “There's enough content to get your money's worth, although there isn't much replay value.”
- “The post-game content offers some replay value.”
- “There's enough meat to get your money's worth, although there isn't much replay value.”
- “Dungeon crawling and essentially doing the same thing with little variety (exploration with hard-to-avoid encounters) doesn't leave a lot of room for replay value.”
monetization
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect is perceived as intrusive, with relentless and invincible foes that track players down, which some users feel detracts from the overall experience.