Midnight Scenes: The Nanny
- October 27, 2021
- White Blanket Games
- 1h median play time
"Midnight Scenes: The Nanny" is a narrative-driven horror game where you play as a detective investigating the mysterious disappearance of a family. Explore the eerie mansion and gather clues to unravel the dark secrets hidden within. This episodic game delivers a chilling atmosphere with its atmospheric visuals and immersive storyline.
Reviews
- The game features a captivating and creepy storyline that effectively builds suspense and atmosphere, reminiscent of classic horror shows like The Twilight Zone.
- The pixel art and sound design are beautifully crafted, enhancing the overall immersive experience and evoking a nostalgic 80s vibe.
- Despite its short playtime, the game is engaging and well-paced, making it a perfect choice for a quick horror experience.
- Many players feel the game is too short, with a playtime of around 40-60 minutes, leading to concerns about its value for the price.
- Some reviews mention bugs and animation issues that detract from the overall experience, making it feel less polished.
- The linear gameplay and lack of meaningful choices can leave players wanting more depth and interactivity in the story.
- story71 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game's story is widely praised for its engaging and creepy narrative, reminiscent of classic horror tales and 80s horror films, with many reviewers highlighting its atmospheric visuals and sound design. While some found the plot to be simple or short, others appreciated its ability to evoke suspense and intrigue, making it a compelling experience for fans of interactive storytelling. Overall, the story is described as a captivating blend of horror elements that effectively draws players into its eerie world.
“The story unfolds with a perfect balance of tension and intrigue, keeping me guessing until the very end.”
“Absolutely brilliant use of sound design, creative storytelling, and wonderful art.”
“Great job, devs! The third installment of the Midnight Scenes series is not only a bit longer but also a much more cohesive storyline that is really stellar.”
“The story was really obvious and it was mostly a waiting game for the inevitable jump scare.”
“The second issue is that (in my opinion) this story is not appropriate for a game's medium.”
“The story feels a bit random overall, but there are many nice moments, and the dialogues are well written.”
- graphics28 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by beautifully crafted pixel art that evokes a nostalgic '80s aesthetic, enhancing the overall immersive experience. Players appreciate the vibrant colors and smooth animations, which mark a departure from the previous black-and-white style, while still maintaining a chilling atmosphere. The combination of retro visuals and a haunting soundtrack effectively complements the game's eerie storytelling, making it a standout in the indie horror genre.
“The game's pixel art style and haunting soundtrack create a sense of unease that permeates every scene, adding an extra layer of immersion to the experience.”
“Absolutely in love with this whole series: the graphics are great, animations are smooth, the coloring is a step up from the previous two installments, and the few jump scares that were there were really good.”
“Everything from the expertly curated pixel art, to the purposefully crafted soundtrack, and the attention to small details such as adding a VHS tape aesthetic and standard definition aspect ratio are all elements that combine beautifully to create a one-of-a-kind immersive experience.”
“The nanny could be stronger if the plot held together better, but there aren't many such point-and-click mood pieces to choose from, and in a short game I think it's fair enough to lean on aesthetic and tone.”
“Don’t let yourself be fooled by the cute visuals, this game packs a punch and has an epic ending.”
“Oh, and I can't just ignore how well the shade of pixel coloring was used to emphasize the '80s aesthetic and a feeling of chilly isolation.”
- atmosphere18 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 28 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Midnight Scenes: The Nanny" is consistently praised for its eerie and unsettling qualities, enhanced by compelling visuals and sound design that elevate the overall experience. Reviewers note that the game's ability to create tension and emotional depth through its storytelling and character development makes the atmosphere particularly impactful, despite its short length. Overall, the game is recognized for its captivating and immersive ambiance, making it a standout in the series.
“This developer has never had an issue with building an unsettling atmosphere, but there is more depth to the characters and it makes every hair-raising moment more impactful.”
“With its engrossing storyline, atmospheric visuals, and clever puzzles, it's a captivating experience from start to finish.”
“As with his previous two midnight scenes shorts, Octavi has expertly combined visuals and music to create compelling atmosphere, suspense, and pace.”
“The atmosphere was eerie all the way through and the jumpscares really got me.”
“This time no real puzzles like in other titles, but the atmosphere is really creepy.”
“Slowly builds its atmosphere, without relying on cheap jumpscares.”
- music11 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the atmosphere, with a haunting soundtrack that complements the pixel art style and adds to the overall immersion and suspense. Reviewers note the music's effectiveness in creating a sense of unease and nostalgia, while some feel it could benefit from a more polished finish. Overall, the combination of art and music is seen as a standout feature that contributes significantly to the game's emotional impact and storytelling.
“The game's pixel art style and haunting soundtrack create a sense of unease that permeates every scene, adding an extra layer of immersion to the experience.”
“As with his previous two midnight scenes shorts, Octavi has expertly combined visuals and music to create compelling atmosphere, suspense, and pace.”
“Everything from the expertly curated pixel art to the purposefully crafted soundtrack, and the attention to small details such as adding a VHS tape aesthetic and standard definition aspect ratio are all elements that combine beautifully to create a one-of-a-kind immersive experience.”
“Art and music are very pleasant, but it feels more like a game you would do for a game project and isn't as finished or as engaging as the rest of the comments make it seem.”
“Just to be serious for a bit, I love how creepy and ominous soundtracks contribute to the mystery about the granny, as well as having no parent around to look after the kids; that's definitely not a bad sign.”
“It feels like a classic horror that leaves a lot for you to figure out as it leaves you on that last music note at the end.”
- gameplay7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Midnight Scenes: The Nanny" is characterized by its engaging interactivity and atmospheric storytelling, enhancing the overall narrative experience. While some players noted the gameplay's minimalistic approach, it effectively complements the game's focus on captivating storytelling without being overly distracting.
“Midnight Scenes: The nanny is a delightful addition to the Midnight Scenes series, delivering another dose of captivating storytelling and atmospheric gameplay.”
“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.”
“Gameplay minimal.”
“I didn't read about the game too in depth, so I didn't expect the gameplay to lead you to one inevitable conclusion, but I truly didn't mind.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted as being atmospheric and heartwarming, making it stand out as the best in the series for some players.
“I think this was the best of the three games I binged in the series; it was very atmospheric and somewhat heartwarming if you think about it.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users report significant stability issues, citing frequent bugs that detract from the overall experience.
“The first problem is that it is buggy.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable.”
“I experienced constant lag and instability during gameplay.”