Misericorde: Volume One
- March 23, 2023
- XEECEE
- 3h median play time
Get on SteamThe year is 1482. The age of exploration and enlightenment is on the distant horizon and the Renaissance is in full swing across Europe; but in England, the War of the Roses is in its final throes. Change is coming, but in one little convent in the north of the kingdom, everyone has seemed blissfully unaware. Everyone except Sister Catherine, a beloved nun and firebrand thinker who has just been…
Reviews
- Incredibly well-written with a compelling narrative that draws players into the mystery and character dynamics.
- The game features a diverse and well-developed cast of characters, each with distinct personalities that enhance the storytelling.
- The atmospheric soundtrack and unique art style create an immersive experience that complements the historical setting.
- The game is a pure visual novel with no interactivity or choices, which may not appeal to players looking for gameplay elements.
- As this is only the first volume, it ends on a cliffhanger, leaving many plot threads unresolved and potentially frustrating for some players.
- Some players may find the modern dialogue and anachronistic elements jarring in the historical context.
- music112 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its exceptional quality and atmospheric contribution to the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the unique blend of modern electronic elements with historical influences, creating a captivating soundtrack that enhances the storytelling and emotional depth. Many consider it one of the standout features of the game, with over 100 tracks that are both memorable and fitting for the narrative, making it a must-listen even outside of gameplay.
“The music is endlessly lonely and melancholy, which makes every character's personality and the events of the game so much more gripping.”
“The soundtrack is a triumph in this genre; its careful combination of jazzy modern sensibilities and medieval instrument choices shines, and I found myself waiting before proceeding through a scene to ensure I'd heard each song all the way through.”
“Incredible soundtrack, atmosphere, character writing, dialogue, mystery; Misericorde Vol 1 hits all the right notes to be a perfect immersive experience.”
“Even when it comes to visual and audio stimuli, the anime style and drum & bass/acid jazz soundtrack of this game were slightly jarring.”
“If your visual novel game has no voice acting, no decisions, no puzzles, and no player agency at all, then at the very least I would expect the artwork to be so outstanding that it’s basically a graphic novel that you wanted to have a soundtrack to so you made a game.”
“The lushly dithered backgrounds provide such striking composition for scenes of community, tension, and terror, with the various stylings of the soundtrack bouncing from genres like rock and trip-hop feeling like it was gripping me tightly by the shoulders to draw me into each scene (highly recommend you play this with headphones!).”
- story111 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of "Misericorde: Volume One" unfolds around a mysterious murder in a 15th-century English abbey, serving as a captivating setup for a slow-burn narrative that delves deeply into the protagonist's psyche and the lives of the characters. While the game is strictly linear with no player choices, it excels in world-building, character development, and atmosphere, leaving players eager for the next installment to resolve its intriguing mysteries. Overall, the writing is praised for its depth and engagement, making it a compelling visual novel experience.
“The story centers around a mysterious murder at an English abbey in 1482, but that's just the starting point.”
“Misericorde is a gripping, mysterious, and masterfully-written mystery with a cast of characters who all shine individually and who, in combination with each other and with the setting of the story, supply a compelling narrative that will keep the 'pages' turning.”
“The story is compelling, and the prose is great as well, which can be rare in the genre.”
“What eventually led me to be really turned off, despite the disclaimer this story takes place in the 1400s and the dialog reflects ideas from that time, is the total anachronism of the other nuns' speech; they talk like 21st-century characters who have access to the internet.”
“The only downside is it is part 1, meaning the story isn't finished yet, and does end on a cliffhanger.”
“As 'volume one' in the title gives away, there's no real story conclusion.”
- graphics32 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their striking and unique aesthetic, combining photorealistic backgrounds with beautifully sketched sprites and pixel art, which create an unsettling yet captivating atmosphere. The grainy black and white imagery enhances the haunting tone of the story, while the character designs are noted for their distinctiveness and personality. Overall, the visuals, along with the exceptional soundtrack, contribute significantly to the immersive experience of this visual novel.
“Such an incredible visual novel with better atmosphere than anything I've played in years; the visual design, audio design, music, and artwork all work together to form such a perfect experience.”
“The dark setting of the abbey is truly one of the scariest things I have ever seen in a game - the black and white imagery lends to a giallo aesthetic that is sublime.”
“The artwork is wonderfully rendered with both a softness and care for each character, but also contrasted with a striking and stark aesthetic that sets a great eerie mood for the whole experience.”
“The mixture of pixel art and heavily-affected photographic backgrounds creates a distinct, unsettling aesthetic that provides an eye-catching visual complement to the text.”
“The art style seems to be a form of rotoscope with drawn characters interposed onto grainy photos of the convent as background.”
“I can think of no feasible reason why instead of just writing a novel you made the ludicrously more difficult option of creating a visual novel that would require you to make artwork that, as far as I can tell, you didn’t want to do and code all of this into a game.”
- atmosphere26 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the visual novel is widely praised for its immersive quality, enhanced by a stunning soundtrack, striking art direction, and well-developed characters. Reviewers note that the combination of visual and audio elements creates a gripping, unsettling ambiance that draws players into the story, often comparing it favorably to other notable titles. The monochrome aesthetic and attention to detail in sound design further contribute to a compelling and haunting experience.
“Such an incredible visual novel with better atmosphere than anything I've played in years; the visual design, audio design, music, and artwork all work together to form such a perfect experience.”
“The atmosphere is immaculate; there was a moment where the soundtrack hit, and I realized, 'Oh, I really connect with this.' I love the protagonist and the point of view she provides too, someone barely keeping it together who could snap at any moment.”
“Incredible atmosphere, writing, and an absolutely stellar soundtrack to seal the deal.”
“It makes the presentation look a bit ‘wonky’, but works in selling the unsettling atmosphere the story is trying to establish.”
“I love the monochrome colour palette, which adds well to the unsettling atmosphere, and the filtered photo backgrounds work well in anchoring the story in an uneasy sort of 'pseudo-reality'.”
“Beyond the classic whodunit, there's a level of atmosphere helped by the art style, sounds, and music to create something incredibly haunting.”
- character development9 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 11 % neutral mentions
- 22 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is praised for its realism and depth, particularly in how the protagonist's struggles enhance the overall narrative satisfaction. The character designs are noted for their creativity and variety, contributing significantly to the game's aesthetic appeal, although some reviewers feel that the gameplay mechanics do not match the quality of the writing and character development. Overall, the combination of strong writing, engaging character arcs, and appealing designs creates a compelling experience, despite some gameplay shortcomings.
“Very well written; the character design work is some of the best I've seen in the visual novel genre. Despite all of the characters wearing the same outfit, each one still stands out.”
“So it’s disappointing that this game has such stellar writing and character development and seems to overall have a drastically stronger sense of how to tell a mystery.”
“Some may find this alienating, but it felt realistic to me: she is not a detective and is actually pretty bad at investigating, but it makes her character development all the more satisfying for how hard-won it is.”
“The character designs are cute and differentiated, and there's a thankful variety of expressions, unlike some visual novels in that genre, but they have to do a lot of heavy lifting.”
- humor6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its ability to blend mundane moments with engaging character development, resulting in laugh-out-loud moments that enhance the overall narrative. Reviewers appreciate the balance of humor with spooky and moving elements, making the experience both entertaining and gripping. Overall, the humor is a standout feature that contributes significantly to the game's charm.
“If, on the other hand, you like narratives and get swept up in engaging stories and compelling characters, Misericorde's first volume is funny, spooky, surprisingly moving, and intensely gripping from start to finish.”
“Made me laugh out loud and love the characters, then the murder plot comes back with drum and bass.”
“Of course, the humor is great.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this title is minimal, as it functions primarily as a kinetic visual novel where players simply click to advance the story without any choices or interactive elements. Reviewers caution that those seeking traditional gameplay experiences should avoid it, as it lacks any meaningful gameplay mechanics.
“This is a true zero-gameplay visual novel - all you're doing is advancing the story with a button.”
“Let's be clear, this is a visual novel; it is something you read, with art, music, and sound. If you're in the 'gameplay is what matters' camp, steer well clear.”
“Do note that this is what would be known as a kinetic novel; there are no choices or gameplay other than clicking to continue the scene.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a blend of intense conflicts and heartfelt moments, creating a realistic and impactful narrative. Players can expect a gripping exploration of human intimacy that embraces complexity and avoids neat resolutions, making it particularly appealing to those who appreciate emotionally charged storytelling.
“There are both a lot of nasty clashes and secret-keeping between them, and genuine and heartwarming moments of kindness and understanding that make Linbarrow feel very alive.”
“Credit to the author, I suppose, it certainly is both realistic and emotionally impactful.”
“Recommended for people who like tangled, emotionally gripping (sometimes upsetting) stories about human intimacy that don't resolve in a tidy manner.”
