Midnight Scenes: A Safe Place

About

"Midnight Scenes: A Safe Place" is a Horror Fiction Adventure game that explores themes of isolation and loneliness. Players take on the role of Phil, a young man plagued by nightmares, as he confronts terrifying truths buried within him. The game features adventure elements, encouraging players to explore and interact with their surroundings in this dark and intense tale.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Midnight Scenes: A Safe Place screenshot

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 164 reviews

story58 positive mentions

The game features a gripping story that keeps players hooked from beginning to end, with a surprising twist that adds depth to the narrative.
The pixel art and sound design are praised for their quality, enhancing the overall atmosphere and emotional impact of the game.
It offers a nuanced portrayal of mental illness, exploring complex themes such as loneliness and dependency, which resonates with many players.

The gameplay is more linear and less interactive compared to previous titles, with minimal puzzles and a heavy focus on reading, which may not appeal to all players.
Some players found the pacing slow, particularly in the beginning, which could detract from the overall experience.
The protagonist's unlikable traits and stalker tendencies left a sour taste for some, making it difficult to connect with the character.

story
100 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
39%
3%
The story of "Midnight Scenes: A Safe Place" is described as a gripping and immersive experience, focusing on themes of mental illness, loneliness, and emotional struggle, delivered through a well-paced narrative that unfolds alongside the protagonist. While some players noted that the story takes time to gain momentum, many appreciated its unique approach and emotional depth, making it a compelling addition to the series. The game's rich storytelling, combined with beautiful pixel art and sound design, creates a haunting atmosphere that resonates with players, despite some critiques regarding pacing and certain horror tropes.
- “A beautifully told horror story with excellent pixel art animation, a clever concept and an ending that packs one hell of a punch.”
- “Overall, I loved the entire story, and it definitely teaches players to become more open-minded towards people who are going through loss, depression, or suicidal thoughts.”
- “The story is very rich, I definitely got lost in what happens and I thought the way they allow the story to unfold was creative and unique.”
- “Also, the story takes a long time to pick up steam.”
- “If you're like me and love a clear plot that doesn't scam you for an anticlimactic ending, then you don't want this game. In the start, Phil was hiding in his room for months from his abusive family, and it goes through that he's 'dating' Noelle, but she starts to get feelings for her stalky neighbor Brian. As time goes on, the parents aren't listening to him or his sister about getting mental help, and his dad canceled his bank account to try to get him out. Then the mom later on brought a priest to help instead of a 'shrink', as they call it.”
- “I do take issue with some of the cheaper jumpscares, and there are bits of foreshadowing that lead nowhere, including several explicit references to the previous games, which may raise a few too many expectations over the trajectory of the story, which is a lot quieter and sadder than said expectations.”
graphics
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
38%
13%
The graphics of the game are highly praised for their retro pixel art style, which achieves a detailed and visually pleasing aesthetic that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers commend the art direction for contributing to the game's creepy atmosphere without relying on cheap scares, and highlight the impressive cinematic editing that complements the storytelling. Overall, the visuals are considered superb and integral to the game's success, making it a standout title for horror adventure fans.
- “Excellent pixel graphics, getting detailed when they need to, to an almost uncanny valley level.”
- “I am deeply impressed with the intelligent writing, as well as the art style and cinematic editing and tempo.”
- “The graphical style is really visually pleasing too.”
- “Graphics: retro”
- “Graphics: retro”
music
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
36%
21%
The music in the game is highly praised for its quality and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, seamlessly blending with the art style and sound effects. Reviewers commend the music for its class and effectiveness in contributing to the game's tension and storytelling, consistently noting it as a strong point of the experience.
- “Music, sounds, and art style are worth praising as well!”
- “The art is great, sound effects and music add to the atmosphere with perfection, excellent writing and story, very good animation.”
- “Why you gotta play that song so loud?”
- “The music is class and overall well worth a fiver.”
- “The pixel art and music continue to go from strength to strength, coupled with writing that weaves effortlessly between brooding tension and full boil terror.”
gameplay
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
50%
21%
The gameplay in Midnight Scenes is characterized by its simplicity and minimal interactivity, primarily involving clicking through dialogue rather than engaging in complex mechanics or puzzles. While the narrative is effective and the pixel art is praised, players seeking more challenging gameplay may find it lacking. Overall, it offers a decent experience for fans of narrative-driven games.
- “The gameplay is simple but yet incredibly effective.”
- “Midnight scenes are short narrative games with minimal gameplay that has some lovely pixel art and horror vibes.”
- “Far less interactive than I'd hoped, and most of the gameplay is just clicking through dialogue.”
- “Gameplay: decent”
- “The gameplay, simple but yet incredibly effective.”
atmosphere
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
83%
8%
8%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its exceptional writing, sound design, and art, which collectively create an engaging and anxiety-inducing experience. Reviewers noted that the sound effects and music enhance the emotional depth, making players feel a strong connection to the characters and the unfolding story. Overall, the atmosphere is described as immersive and expertly crafted, contributing significantly to the game's impact.
- “The sound design, atmosphere, and story were spot on, once again.”
- “The art is great, sound effects, and music add to the atmosphere with perfection; excellent writing and story, very good animation.”
- “The anxiety-inducing atmosphere stressed me out throughout, and I became very attached to the characters.”
emotional
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is noted for its unexpectedly heavy emotional depth, diverging from the developer's previous, more entertaining titles. Players found the narrative to be both memorable and impactful, with a unique resolution that defied typical expectations, complemented by organic character interactions that balanced humor and tension. Overall, it stands out as a significant emotional experience in the horror genre.
- “The end result is one of the more memorable and emotionally impactful horror games I’ve played in a very long time.”
- “I have been following Octavi Navarro for several years and I love that you are still dedicated to your craft. After all these years, still doing the show gimmick, which is so rare to see in the gaming spectrum. While I liked your previous games, I never found them to be particularly complex or unique, but this game is an exception. I loved the ending and how emotionally charged it was leading up to it.”
- “You see, I thought I knew where the game was going. This is not the first game I play where you lock yourself in a room due to some emotional damage; it's actually a concept I see very often. But you didn't go with the usual conclusion - the story has a different type of resolution for the narrative, definitely not what I expected.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as a mixed bag, with some moments landing well and others falling flat, particularly in scenes that feel awkward or poorly executed. While character interactions are praised for their organic and wholesome nature, certain comedic attempts, like the genealogy scene, are noted as misses, suggesting a need for refinement in the writing. Overall, the balance of humor with more serious themes is appreciated, but inconsistencies in delivery detract from the experience.
- “The interactions with the characters felt very organic and wholesome; there is a nice balance of humor, rage, and many moments of tension.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Character development is praised for its uniqueness and depth, with distinct designs and meaningful motivations that enhance the narrative rather than merely serve the plot. This attention to detail contributes to a more immersive and relatable experience for players.
- “I love how unique all the character designs feel; even small details add to the world, and people's motivations make sense and feel real instead of just aiding the plot.”