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…
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Reviews
- Misericorde features an engaging and well-written story that captivates players from the start, with a unique setting and a compelling murder mystery.
- The characters are distinct and well-developed, each with their own personalities and flaws, making them relatable and interesting.
- The art style, music, and atmosphere work together beautifully to create an immersive experience that enhances the storytelling.
- The game is a linear kinetic novel with no player choices or branching paths, which may disappoint those looking for interactivity.
- Some players found the dialogue anachronistic, as the characters often speak in a modern style that may detract from the historical setting.
- The story ends on a cliffhanger, leaving players eager for the next volume but also feeling unsatisfied with the lack of resolution.
- music218 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its atmospheric and engaging qualities, blending modern genres like trip-hop with medieval influences to create a unique soundscape that enhances the storytelling. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, describing it as both beautiful and haunting, with many tracks being memorable and integral to the overall experience. Overall, the music is praised for its ability to evoke emotion and complement the game's rich narrative and artistic style.
“The music is endlessly lonely and melancholy which makes every character's personality and the events of the game so much more gripping.”
“Incredible soundtrack, atmosphere, character writing, dialogue, mystery, horror - Misericorde Vol 1 hits all the right notes to be a perfect immersive experience.”
“From moment one, Misericorde drew me in with its gorgeous art direction and killer soundtrack, setting me in for such a strong atmosphere to accompany such an engaging story and characters.”
“Even when it comes to visual and audio stimuli, the anime style and drum & bass/acid jazz soundtrack of this game were slightly jarring.”
“Let's be clear, this is a visual novel; it is a thing you read, with art and music and sound, but if you're in the 'gameplay is what matters' camp, steer well clear.”
“I do feel it probably needed even more songs, but honestly it has a stronger soundtrack than a lot of games and a more robust soundtrack.”
- story216 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of "Misericorde: Volume One" is a gripping and engaging mystery set in a 15th-century convent, featuring a compelling cast of characters and rich world-building. While the narrative is linear with no player choices, it captivates with its intriguing plot and evocative art style, leaving players eager for the next installment due to its unresolved cliffhanger. Overall, the combination of strong writing, atmospheric music, and a unique setting creates a memorable visual novel experience that has drawn in many players.
“I really liked the framing of the story being told to an observer in the future (even the teller doesn't know who we, the player, are) and the mystery is engaging.”
“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.”
“From moment one, Misericorde drew me in with its gorgeous art direction and killer soundtrack, setting me in for such a strong atmosphere to accompany such an investing story and characters.”
“What eventually led me to be really turned off, despite the disclaimer this story takes place in the 1400s and the dialogue 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.”
“As 'volume one' in the title gives away, there's no real story conclusion.”
“The only downside is it is part 1, meaning the story isn't finished yet, and does end on a cliffhanger.”
- graphics62 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique and haunting aesthetic, combining photorealistic backgrounds with beautifully sketched sprites and pixel art. The striking black and white imagery enhances the eerie atmosphere, while the art style and character designs contribute to a compelling visual experience that complements the gripping narrative. Overall, the visuals, along with the exceptional soundtrack, create an immersive and atmospheric journey that captivates players.
“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, and the tone shifts smoothly between comedic and deeply unnerving.”
“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 art style seems to be a form of rotoscope with drawn characters interposed onto grainy photos of the convent as background.”
“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, and while the plot can sometimes feel like it's progressing at a snail's pace, the tension when the pace is ramped up is delicious.”
“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.”
- atmosphere50 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is universally praised for its immersive quality, enhanced by a striking monochrome art style and a hauntingly effective soundtrack. Reviewers highlight the meticulous attention to detail in both the visual and audio design, which together create a gripping and unsettling environment that captivates players from the outset. The combination of well-written characters and a compelling setting further enriches the overall atmospheric experience, making it a standout feature of the game.
“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 that could snap at any moment.”
“Incredible atmosphere, writing, and an absolutely stellar soundtrack to seal the deal.”
“From moment one, Misericorde drew me in with its gorgeous art direction and killer soundtrack, setting me up for such a strong atmosphere to accompany such an engaging story and characters.”
“I love the monochrome color 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'.”
“It makes the presentation look a bit ‘wonky’, but works in selling the unsettling atmosphere the story is trying to establish.”
“Beyond the classic whodunit, there's a level of atmosphere helped by the art style, sounds, and music to create something incredibly haunting.”
- character development15 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- 7 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The character development in the game is praised for its strong writing and unique character designs, which stand out despite a uniform outfit. Reviewers appreciate the realistic portrayal of characters, particularly noting the satisfying growth of a protagonist who struggles with her investigative skills. However, some express disappointment that the game's overall execution does not match the quality of its character development and design.
“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.”
“Great writing, great music, and I love the character designs.”
“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.”
- humor11 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in "Misericorde's" first volume is described as both engaging and multifaceted, blending funny moments with spooky and moving elements. Reviewers appreciate the character-driven humor that enhances even mundane scenes, making them laugh out loud while remaining invested in the gripping narrative. Overall, the humor is a standout feature that complements the story's darker themes.
“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.”
- gameplay8 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The gameplay in this visual novel is minimal, consisting solely of advancing the story by clicking a button, with no choices or interactive elements involved. It is categorized as a kinetic novel, which may disappoint players seeking traditional gameplay experiences. Overall, the lack of gameplay features has led to some criticism regarding misleading promotional content.
“Let's be clear, this is a visual novel; it is a thing you read, with art, music, and sound. But if you're in the 'gameplay is what matters' camp, steer well clear.”
“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. But 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.”
- emotional6 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 complex exploration of human intimacy that is both gripping and sometimes unsettling, with resolutions that are often messy rather than neat.
“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.”
