Midnight Scenes Episode 2 (Special Edition)
- September 8, 2020
- Octavi Navarro
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io StoreIn "Midnight Scenes Episode 2 ," players step into the shoes of Dr. Griffin as he navigates a mysterious world filled with horror and adventure elements. With pixel art inspired by 60s television shows like The Twilight Zone, the game offers an immersive experience complete with atmospheric sound effects and an eerie soundtrack. The special edition includes a PDF art book, original soundtrack, and localization to multiple languages.
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Reviews
- The game captures a wonderfully eerie atmosphere reminiscent of classic horror shows like The Twilight Zone, making it a captivating experience.
- The storytelling is engaging and well-structured, with strong character development that keeps players invested in the narrative.
- The pixel art and sound design are top-notch, enhancing the overall experience and immersing players in the creepy, sci-fi world.
- The game is incredibly short, with a playtime of around 20-30 minutes, leaving some players wanting more content.
- Puzzles are minimal and often too easy, which may disappoint those looking for a more challenging gameplay experience.
- The pricing structure feels steep for the amount of content provided, leading some to recommend waiting for a sale or purchasing the entire series together.
- story36 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The story is praised for its creative and atmospheric storytelling, drawing strong influences from classic series like "The Twilight Zone" and "The Outer Limits." Each episode offers a self-contained narrative that allows for exploration of different themes, with improvements in structure and depth noted in later installments. Overall, the engaging plot and sound design contribute to a captivating experience, though some players desire a more extensive, interconnected storyline across episodes.
“Absolutely brilliant use of sound design, creative storytelling, and wonderful art.”
“Not only does the story have the space to breathe, but it's better-structured, has greater sound and animations and, on the whole, feels more complete.”
“For a linear story, that means that you're just selling a fraction of a completed game.”
“The story is a very obvious amalgamation of ideas and events from the Twilight Zone, Outer Limits, and even a tinge of The Thing, though despite these heavy influences, the plot feels fresh and genuine.”
“It feels like the energetic development of the plot does not stop for a second, forming some kind of inexplicable feeling of anxiety.”
- atmosphere12 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its eerie, twilight zone-inspired tone, effectively creating a sense of dread and charm throughout the experience. While some players noted a decline in spookiness compared to the first installment, the atmospheric music and visuals remain strong, making it a captivating short adventure. Overall, the game excels in delivering a compelling and immersive atmosphere, even if the narrative resolution may leave some players wanting more.
“This is a short Twilight Zone-inspired game, but I really loved the atmosphere and tone.”
“With a pleasantly eerie atmosphere invoking a genuine sense of dread, this game starts off on the right foot.”
“Like all the Octavi Navarro shorts I've played, this is a supremely atmospheric piece of work.”
“The atmosphere of the game is still kind of spooky but not as spooky as the first game. The sound effects in the game are good, and I really like that this time the character can talk, unlike the character in the first game.”
“Too much dialogue; it did not have the atmosphere of the first one.”
“Don't go in expecting something longer than 20-30 minutes or a point-and-click adventure filled with puzzles. Basically, Navarro delivers a playable Twilight Zone episode, though (as with the first Midnight Scenes game) the ending doesn't deliver the Twilight Zone irony so much as a '...huh?' That's not a problem, though, because Midnight Scenes is all about the atmosphere, and in this respect, it more than delivers.”
- gameplay8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The gameplay is described as engaging and interactive, effectively complementing the narrative without overshadowing it. While it features a linear structure with a total playtime of around 30 minutes, the puzzles are relatively easy, allowing for a smooth flow and some surprises along the way. Overall, players find the gameplay enjoyable, though it may lack depth for those seeking more complex challenges.
“Each game also features fun and engaging gameplay with a good level of interactivity that is satisfying without distracting from the highlight of each game – its narrative.”
“The total gameplay is about 30 minutes (maybe a little more) in which you go through this episode, the puzzles aren't that hard, and the game flows fairly well, and has some surprises for the player.”
“I have attached some gameplay above, so that you can see if you would be interested in it, but the game isn't that expensive and it's always good to support indie devs!”
“The gameplay is rather linear.”
“As far as gameplay goes, there's very little, but there are a few very easy 'puzzles' to solve.”
“The original episode was 10 minutes or less, while this one was closer to 20 minutes, with the caveat that it has a large amount of dialogue during its gameplay.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 83 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are characterized by stylized retro visuals and detailed black-and-white pixel art that enhance the eerie atmosphere of the game. The animations are praised for their quality, and the sound design complements the visuals, creating a captivating experience reminiscent of a Twilight Zone episode. Overall, the art style and attention to detail contribute significantly to the game's immersive storytelling, despite its short duration.
“They offer stylized retro visuals and sound design that perfectly match the well-written and thoroughly eerie stories and their settings.”
“As usual, the pixel visuals in Octavi's games are exemplary; the animations look extraordinary, and there is very painstaking work with sound, which is extremely important for games of the scary genre.”
“Although it is a short game, no more than 20 minutes, it is valuable for the visuals and also for the incredible atmosphere.”
- music3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The music in the game is described as atmospheric, enhancing the overall experience, though some users noted a lack of traditional music or titles, which initially led to confusion. Overall, the combination of artwork, music, and story contributes to a compelling, twilight zone-like atmosphere.
“The artwork, music, and story are great, and it really plays like a Twilight Zone episode.”
“Atmospheric music.”
“Has no music or title; I thought I had entered some kind of setup mode at first.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its great art and a creepy sci-fi narrative that evokes a sense of wholesome familiarity, creating a unique blend of unsettling yet comforting feelings for players.
“The game masterfully blends art and narrative, creating an emotional experience that feels both haunting and comforting.”
“The story resonates deeply, evoking a sense of nostalgia while exploring complex themes of humanity.”
“Every moment in the game is infused with emotion, making the player feel a profound connection to the characters and their journeys.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the strong narration that enhances character development, fostering a deeper emotional connection with the game's small cast. This engagement leads to a greater investment in the characters' journeys and outcomes.
“The narration contributes significantly to character development, making players genuinely care about the small cast that the game features.”
“The depth of each character's backstory and their evolving relationships throughout the game create a rich and immersive experience.”
“I was impressed by how the choices I made influenced the characters' growth, making each decision feel impactful and meaningful.”
“The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the protagonists.”
“I found the character arcs to be predictable and uninspired, leaving me disengaged from their journeys.”
“Despite the potential for growth, the characters remain static and fail to evolve throughout the game.”
