MazM: The Phantom of the Opera
- March 25, 2021
- Growing Seeds
Get on Steam"MazM: The Phantom of the Opera" is an adventure game based on the novel "The Phantom of the Opera." Many years after the infamous case, a detective visits the opera house to uncover the truth about the Phantom and his hidden secrets. With stunning visuals and classical music, delve into the mystery and witness the shocking love story in Belle Époque Paris of the late 19th Century.
Reviews
- The game features a compelling story that captures the essence of the original novel, with intriguing character development and emotional depth.
- The art style and character designs are visually stunning, enhancing the overall atmosphere and engagement of the game.
- The adaptation offers a unique take on the characters, particularly Christine and Raoul, providing them with more depth and growth compared to other adaptations.
- The pacing of the game is slow, with drawn-out dialogue and unnecessary scenes that detract from the overall experience.
- The portrayal of Erik is overly negative and irredeemable, which undermines the complexity of his character and the original themes of the story.
- The mobile interface and gameplay mechanics can be cumbersome, leading to frustration during navigation and interaction.
- story53 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game's story is a complex adaptation of Gaston Leroux's "The Phantom of the Opera," praised for its emotional depth and character development, though it diverges from the original narrative in several ways. While some players appreciate the darker elements and the exploration of themes like ostracism and mental illness, others criticize the alterations and cringe-worthy moments that detract from the source material's essence. Overall, it is considered a compelling, if imperfect, retelling that resonates with fans of the original story.
“Excellent storyline!”
“A story-oriented adventure that captures the essence of the original through gaming.”
“Despite the high regard I held for the original works, this version entertains, offers an additional new ending instead of just the canon ending of the book, and most of all left me thinking about it long after I finished the story.”
“Lastly, the story takes odd liberties with the source material.”
“While I generally recommend it - the story is heart-wrenching, tense, and interesting all the way through - the game adaptation is... bad.”
“It feels like the developers also missed the tragedy of who Erik is, and why he is the way he is, which detracts from Christine's role in the story and Erik's character.”
- music18 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its quality and ability to complement the story, though some users note that the looping tracks can become repetitive after short intervals. Fans of the "Phantom of the Opera" appreciate the atmospheric elements and the incorporation of musical themes, despite a desire for more varied background music in certain scenes. Overall, the soundtrack enhances the experience, making it a standout feature of the visual novel.
“The music is actually pretty good.”
“With a soundtrack that complements the story progression, this is by far one of the best visual novels I have played this year.”
“Characters are well made, the music is on point (I mean, I really would suggest putting it into the 'good music material' ngl.) The atmosphere gets spooky when it's necessary, but it can also be pretty chill to play.”
“Almost all music pieces loop after 10-15 seconds, oftentimes less.”
“And this is a game about music, mind!”
“I wish they had background music for some of the scenes and the controls were the biggest complaint... I played with my PS4 controller and I could pick something up with X but then I would have to press the O button to 'reset' it so it wouldn't pause the game.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their amazing art style and vibrant visuals, which enhance the overall experience. While the cute cartoon graphics and absence of voice acting are noted, players still find themselves emotionally invested in the characters. The combination of great artwork and effective sound effects contributes to a charming and engaging atmosphere.
“The graphics are amazing, the pictures are wonderful, and there are moments where the writing (as in character dialogue) suddenly becomes stellar.”
“The artwork is great and the humor with sound effects is a nice touch.”
“The art style is so cute!”
“Firstly, the art style is lacking.”
“Despite the cute cartoon graphics and the complete lack of voice acting, which detracts from the full immersion in the game, you still genuinely care about the characters. However, Eric even looks creepy.”
“The art style is so cute, but it doesn't compensate for the overall graphics quality.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is described as both heart-wrenching and tense, with some users expressing that it effectively evokes strong feelings. However, criticisms arise regarding the adaptation of powerful lines from the original novel, which some feel lost their impact due to changes in character dynamics. Overall, while the story is engaging, the execution in the game leaves much to be desired.
“Crying over the Persian at 3 AM challenge (gone wrong) (gone emotional)”
“While I generally recommend it - the story is heart-wrenching, tense, and interesting all the way through.”
“Like I wrote before: it's tense, it's intriguing, and it's heartbreaking.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted through engaging conversations and clever sound effects, which add a lighthearted touch to the experience. However, some players feel that the developers missed deeper emotional nuances in the character of Erik, leading to a disconnect between the intended humor and the tragic elements of his story. Overall, while the humor is appreciated, it may not fully align with the narrative's more serious themes.
“Conversations are useful, and funny.”
“The artwork is great and the humor with sound effects is a nice touch.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game experiences occasional glitches and freezes, particularly during character transitions, which detracts from the overall experience. While the gameplay is considered minimal and easy, the presence of typos and subpar dialogue further impacts its stability.
“The game itself is not bad, but there are a few glitches here and there, subpar dialogue, and a few typos. Gameplay is rather minimal and way too easy.”
“It takes a few seconds and freezes slightly whenever you're supposed to play a character.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers praise the character development for its unique and fitting designs, highlighting that each character stands out and aligns well with their respective roles in the game.
“The character designs are lovely; everyone is unique and perfectly suited to their role.”
“The depth of character development is impressive, making each character feel real and relatable.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the story, showcasing their growth and struggles.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its stellar execution, effectively immersing players in an intense mystery infused with gothic horror elements.
“The atmosphere of the game is stellar; it truly gives one the feeling of an intense mystery unfolding with some gothic horror elements.”
“The immersive environment draws you in, making every moment feel charged with suspense and intrigue.”
“The haunting soundtrack and detailed visuals create a captivating atmosphere that keeps you on the edge of your seat.”
