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Matsuro Palette

Matsuro Palette Game Cover
86%Game Brain Score
story, music
gameplay, atmosphere
100% User Score Based on 37 reviews

Platforms

Xbox Series X|SPCCloudXbox OneXbox Cloud GamingXboxWindows
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Matsuro Palette Game Cover

About

Matsuro Palette is a single player casual simulation game. It was developed by SleepingMuseum and was released on October 14, 2020. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

A mystery horror visual novel game where you must survive seven days with a cursed painting. The protagonist, trapped in a gloomy studio for seven days, must contend with a cursed painting of a girl to survive. Rely on notes from past victims and manage to successfully paint her portrait. Be careful not to upset her, or you'll quickly find yourself facing an unfortunate fate! Will you be the one…

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Matsuro Palette screenshot
Matsuro Palette screenshot
Matsuro Palette screenshot
Matsuro Palette screenshot
Matsuro Palette screenshot
Matsuro Palette screenshot
Matsuro Palette screenshot
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100%
Audience ScoreBased on 37 reviews
story16 positive mentions
atmosphere3 negative mentions
  • Matsuro Palette features a hauntingly beautiful story that blends art, horror, and introspection, creating a deeply atmospheric experience.
  • The game's minimalist graphics and sound design effectively enhance the emotional impact of the narrative, making every interaction feel deliberate and immersive.
  • Puzzles are engaging and not overly complex, allowing players to focus on the story while still providing a satisfying gameplay experience.
  • The minimalist gameplay may not appeal to players who prefer more dynamic interactions or complex puzzles.
  • Some exploration segments can feel slow, and certain puzzle solutions may require abstract leaps of interpretation that can be frustrating.
  • The game's brief length leaves some story elements underdeveloped, which may leave players wanting more.
  • story
    39 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is a poignant and immersive experience that unfolds through a minimalist narrative style, enriched by symbolic elements and a haunting soundtrack. Players appreciate the emotional depth and unsettling progression of the protagonist's journey, with many highlighting the game's ability to evoke strong feelings despite its brief length. While some story elements may feel underdeveloped, the overall impact is profound, making it a standout recommendation for those seeking a touching and engaging narrative.

    • “Deaths are part of the narrative structure; they unlock fragments of lore, enriching your understanding of the world and the girl’s tragic story.”
    • “The highlighted part about this game for me is the way the depressing story is backed up by good soundtracks; it felt like I was experiencing a tragedy while I was progressing through the story and learning more about the girl and her past.”
    • “A beautiful and heart-wrenching story of grief that maintains its consistency in making me cry, truly and genuinely, whenever I see and hear the ending.”
    • “The game’s brief length—it can be completed in two or three hours—also leaves certain story elements underdeveloped.”
    • “The storytelling in Matsuro Palette thrives on implication rather than exposition.”
    • “This minimalist approach gives the story an interpretive quality; each player’s understanding of what happened—or what is real—depends on how they connect the game’s symbolic elements.”
  • music
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is highly praised for its emotional depth and ability to enhance the storytelling, featuring a mix of ambient sounds and poignant piano pieces that underscore moments of tension and revelation. Players appreciate the new soundtrack additions in the PC port, which complement the game's narrative and create a haunting atmosphere that resonates with the themes of tragedy and discovery. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout element that enriches the gameplay experience.

    • “The highlighted part about this game for me is the way the depressing story got backed up by good soundtracks; it felt like I was experiencing a tragedy while I was progressing through the story and learning more about the girl and her past.”
    • “Rather than relying on constant background music, Matsuro Palette uses silence and ambient noise to build tension.”
    • “When the music does surface, it is understated yet emotionally charged—often melancholy piano pieces or haunting tonal swells that punctuate moments of revelation or despair.”
    • “This game is peak due to its powerful music complementing each part of its storytelling, combined with not hard yet fun puzzles, and a sprinkle of comedy because of the hilarious deaths that are fun to collect.”
  • gameplay
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Gameplay is characterized by a cycle of exploration and painting, with a unique "death gallery" mechanic that encourages players to explore various outcomes. While the minimalist design may not appeal to those seeking complexity, the game introduces fresh mechanics and charming art, complemented by engaging plots and soundtracks. Overall, the gameplay is accessible and focused, though it may feel simplistic to some players.

    • “Gameplay unfolds in a cycle that alternates between exploration and painting.”
    • “The inclusion of a 'death gallery' acknowledges this mechanic, encouraging players to uncover every possible outcome and piece together the deeper meaning behind each misstep.”
    • “Fresh gameplay mechanics, very good plots/soundtracks, and cute art.”
    • “Its minimalist gameplay may alienate players who prefer more dynamic interaction or complex puzzles.”
    • “The gameplay and graphics are minimalist, but that's understandable since they're not the focus.”
    • “While Matsuro Palette’s mechanics are simple, they are executed with intent.”
  • emotional
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game effectively conveys its emotional depth through its visual design and understated yet impactful music, often featuring melancholy piano pieces that enhance moments of revelation and despair. Users highlight a touching narrative that, despite its brevity, evokes strong feelings of grief and consistently elicits tears, showcasing the game's ability to create a profound emotional experience.

    • “The game’s visual design plays a central role in conveying its emotional core.”
    • “When the music does surface, it is understated yet emotionally charged—often melancholy piano pieces or haunting tonal swells that punctuate moments of revelation or despair.”
    • “A beautiful and heart-wrenching story of grief that maintains its consistency in making me cry, truly and genuinely, whenever I see and hear the ending.”
  • atmosphere
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Matsuro palette delivers a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere through its surreal architecture and dreamlike settings, where rooms twist and reality distorts, creating a sense of instability and claustrophobia. The subtle yet impactful sound design enhances this deeply atmospheric experience, emphasizing emotional depth over spectacle. Overall, the game masterfully blends art, horror, and introspection to immerse players in its unique world.

    • “Matsuro Palette, developed by Sleepingmuseum and published by Kemco, is a hauntingly beautiful psychological adventure that fuses art, horror, and introspection into a deeply atmospheric experience.”
    • “The surreal architecture of the setting reinforces the dreamlike quality of the game—rooms twist in illogical ways, reflections distort reality, and familiar spaces subtly change from day to day, creating an atmosphere that feels unstable and claustrophobic.”
    • “Sound design amplifies the game’s atmosphere with remarkable subtlety.”
    • “Sleepingmuseum has crafted a work that is understated but emotionally potent, one that relies on subtlety and atmosphere rather than spectacle.”
  • graphics
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics are characterized by a charming and minimalist art style that complements the game's short story and accessible gameplay. While not the main focus, the visuals are well-received for their aesthetic appeal.

    • “I recommend this to anyone looking for a nice and short story with an interesting art style.”
    • “The art style is really charming, and the gameplay isn't too difficult.”
    • “The gameplay and graphics are minimalist, but that's understandable since they're not the focus.”
  • character development
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development is highlighted as a strong point, with designs that are intentionally crafted to evoke a sense of mystery and complexity. The characters, particularly the enigmatic girl, embody a duality that balances innocence with an unsettling presence, showcasing depth and intrigue.

    • “Peak character development.”
    • “Character designs are equally deliberate; the mysterious girl you are painting is both ethereal and unnerving, her expression constantly hovering between innocence and menace.”
  • humor
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's humor is highlighted by its amusing death sequences, which add a lighthearted touch to the overall experience. Players appreciate how the comedic elements enhance the storytelling and emotional impact, making for a memorable and entertaining journey.

    • “This game is peak due to its powerful music complementing each part of its storytelling, combined with not hard yet fun puzzles, and a sprinkle of comedy because of the hilarious deaths that are fun to collect.”
    • “It made me laugh and cry in a way no other game had made me feel until then.”
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Frequently Asked Questions

Matsuro Palette is a casual simulation game.

Matsuro Palette is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, Xbox One, Windows and others.

Matsuro Palette was released on October 14, 2020.

Matsuro Palette was developed by SleepingMuseum.

Matsuro Palette has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its gameplay.

Matsuro Palette is a single player game.

Similar games include Florence, Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery, Pocket Mirror �� GoldenerTraum, Layers of Fear, What Remains of Edith Finch and others.