MiSide
- December 10, 2024
- AIHASTO
- 5h median play time
Get on Steam"MiSide is a horror-themed role-playing game with a single-player mode and an interesting plot. The game features good graphics, with a striking visual style that contrasts bright, anime-inspired designs against a dark and disturbing backdrop. As the game progresses, the cheerful and affectionate protagonist's behavior takes a sudden turn, leading to increasingly intense and frightening scenarios."
PC
Windows
Reviews
- story2,043 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of "Miside" has received widespread acclaim for its engaging narrative, emotional depth, and unique blend of horror and charm. Players appreciate the intricate character development and plot twists that keep them invested throughout the approximately 4-6 hour gameplay, although some express a desire for a longer story and more meaningful choices. Overall, the game is praised for its polished presentation, captivating atmosphere, and the ability to evoke a range of emotions, making it a standout title in the indie horror genre.
“Every aspect of it was perfect, the story, the characters, the music, the art.”
“Miside exemplifies the potential of video games as an immersive narrative medium, blending intricate storytelling with visually striking artistry.”
“The story is really good, with the idea being simple enough to grasp such that you'll understand most of what happens throughout the game, but the details are rather complicated, so if you're interested in the story, there's plenty more beyond the idea.”
“The story feels unfinished, and the fact that peaceful mode can be unlocked but not played yet sort of confirms that maybe there was more to this story after all.”
“The ending is unsatisfying and there's no takeaway from the story.”
“The story is captivating, really makes you talk about the story after you played the game.”
- gameplay590 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Miside" is characterized by its engaging blend of exploration, narrative-driven mechanics, and a variety of mini-games that keep the experience fresh and dynamic. Players appreciate the seamless integration of horror elements with light-hearted moments, as well as the polished mechanics that enhance immersion. While some find the core gameplay to be simple or linear, the overall execution, attention to detail, and emotional weight of the narrative contribute to a compelling and enjoyable experience.
“From a gameplay perspective, Miside effectively synergizes mechanics and narrative.”
“I also appreciate that the horror-oriented sections have varying gameplay mechanics and feels, which helps keep the game feeling fresh throughout.”
“The gameplay is smooth, and I like how it’s not too easy but also not too hard.”
“The gameplay is basically a walking simulator with some light puzzles and gameplay segments.”
“Gameplay is pretty basic, just walk around and talk to characters, investigate things; there's nothing too complex here to worry about other than the occasional 'find object' segments and some optional minigames.”
“The actual substance of this game is nothing but a collection of already done-to-death horror game mechanics, and it's not a stew either, like a lovely dish with all these mechanics served together.”
- graphics498 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Miside" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning and unique anime-inspired art style, which effectively blends cute aesthetics with unsettling horror elements. Players appreciate the attention to detail, fluid animations, and vibrant visuals that enhance the immersive experience, making it visually appealing even on lower-end systems. Overall, the game's graphics are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to its engaging storytelling and atmosphere.
“The visuals are absolutely beautiful and feel like the perfect fit for a game like this.”
“The graphics are amazing, as is its lore.”
“The art style is stunningly crafted, drawing you in with its cozy vibe, only to flip the script and remind you it's still a horror game.”
“While the graphics can seem a little janky at times, the story makes up for that and so much more.”
“I wanted to point this out since many other games with a similar 'anime' art style really have no right to run as badly as they do at times.”
“This game could've benefited much from realistic graphics but I believe the devs didn't have the budget.”
- atmosphere310 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its masterful blend of eerie and cozy elements, creating a unique experience that captivates players. Reviewers highlight the effective use of sound design, art style, and storytelling to evoke a range of emotions, from tension to comfort, without relying heavily on jump scares. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as immersive, engaging, and meticulously crafted, making it a standout in the horror genre.
“Its atmosphere, soundscape, and general mood matched the situation.”
“The atmosphere is the perfect mix of creepy-cute, and the storytelling is phenomenal, a must-try if you like psychological horrors... and crazy anime girls.”
“The atmosphere is absolutely captivating with a story that pulls you in and doesn't let go.”
“The atmosphere is one of its strongest points, with every corner of the world feeling deliberately crafted to make you feel uneasy.”
“The atmosphere was expertly crafted, and the sudden shifts in tone were particularly effective in keeping me on edge.”
“The atmosphere alone always makes you feel a little uneasy even when you think you're in a safe space.”
- music276 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, seamlessly transitioning from cozy and whimsical to eerie and unsettling, which effectively complements the game's narrative and emotional depth. Many players noted the soundtrack's memorable quality, with some even purchasing it separately to support the developers. Overall, the sound design, including character-specific themes and ambient tracks, significantly contributes to the immersive experience, making it a standout feature of the game.
“The music transitions from lighthearted and playful to unsettling and ominous, heightening the psychological tension.”
“The soundtrack perfectly complements the mood, enhancing the emotional depth of the experience.”
“The audio design is exceptional, with each scene featuring meticulously chosen soundtracks to either keep you on edge or provide a false sense of safety.”
“The music is a little weak but easily made up for by everything else.”
“Very quiet game with no individual volume sliders for bgm, voices, sfx - even at 100% volume and max in-game volume I could barely hear the music and the protagonists' 'noises' were inaudible.”
“Just walking around and being around some of the characters just was really bad, especially how the music changes and slows when you know sh*t is about to hit the fan.”
- emotional244 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "miside" is widely praised for its ability to blend heartwarming moments with intense psychological horror, creating a unique emotional rollercoaster for players. Many reviews highlight the game's capacity to evoke a range of feelings, from joy and comfort to sadness and fear, often leaving players deeply invested in the characters and their stories. The combination of engaging storytelling, impactful music, and character development contributes to a memorable experience that resonates with players on multiple emotional levels.
“Each chapter expands on these ideas, presenting revelations that provoke critical engagement while delivering genuine emotional resonance.”
“The game masterfully blends horror and heartfelt storytelling, keeping me immersed from start to finish.”
“The emotional rollercoaster it takes you on in just 4 hours is truly something special.”
- humor133 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever integration with horror elements, creating a unique blend of light-heartedness and tension. Players enjoy the witty dialogue, amusing loading screens, and quirky character interactions, which often evoke laughter amidst the unsettling atmosphere. The game successfully balances cute and funny moments with darker themes, making it an engaging experience that keeps players entertained and on their toes.
“There are so many little details, like the hilarious loading screen that jokes about modern games with 'compiling shaders – it will take about 45 minutes,' then switches to 'just kidding, we don't have that fancy graphics here!' Also, the Japanese dub is really good and adds a lot to the experience.”
“The humor is top-notch, the fourth wall is a pile of rubble, and the soundtrack is oddly catchy for a game that’s low-key roasting you the entire time.”
“The game is a horror game but is unique in that it is constantly flipping between unserious relaxation/humor and horror.”
“It's not clever, it's not scary, it's not funny.”
- replayability62 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising its multiple endings, collectibles, and achievement hunting, which encourage exploration and replaying for completionists. However, others feel that the limited length and lack of dynamic interactions reduce its overall replay value, suggesting that future updates could enhance this aspect. Overall, while there is potential for replayability, it varies significantly among players' experiences and expectations.
“There's great replay value, and plenty to go back and collect after finishing the multiple endings.”
“The game has a bunch of hidden things around the whole game, collectibles, games, achievements within the arcade games that you find, etc., which adds a good amount of replayability. It took me about another 4 hours to 100%, but that was with a guide; I'm sure it would take a bit longer if you tried to find everything yourself.”
“With its multiple endings and hidden details, this game offers great replayability.”
“However, its replay value feels limited unless new content is added.”
“In its current state, the game has very little to no replayability, also because most of the experience relies on the player not knowing what's coming next; a first playthrough cannot be re-experienced.”
“And there isn't much in terms of replayability; yeah, you got achievements to go for, but I went in for a second playthrough and it was a drag.”
- character development56 mentions
- 68 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highly praised, with reviewers highlighting the depth and emotional resonance of the characters, as well as the care put into their designs and personalities. The unique art style and engaging storytelling contribute to a rich narrative experience, making players feel invested in the characters' journeys. While some note that character development may be limited in certain aspects, the overall consensus is that the character designs and development significantly enhance the game's appeal.
“The character designs and personalities really pull you into the game and tug on your heartstrings; well worth investing the time.”
“The richness in character design and storytelling makes each version feel like an individual with distinct traits, struggles, and emotional depth.”
“The game has incredibly beautiful graphics, great character design (both art-wise and personality development), pretty fun/engaging puzzles, and some cute mini-games.”
“Given the setting, I would say character development is limited, but that’s not the focus here, nor does it need to be.”
“There were a good amount of jump scares and thrilling moments while also containing many moments that built up character development and story advancement.”
“Not mita... but the game as a whole, from the puzzles to the character development and level design, it just flowed so good and I can't wait to see what else you all make.”
- optimization43 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 37 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization has received high praise from players, with many noting its smooth performance and lack of bugs or stuttering. It runs well even on mid-range and low-spec PCs, making it accessible to a wider audience, and is often compared favorably to larger AAA titles in terms of polish and efficiency. While a few users reported minor frame drops, the general consensus is that the game is exceptionally well-optimized, providing a seamless experience.
“The optimization alone made this game a 10/10.”
“Absolutely amazing game, it's so insanely polished with a really good story, very fun experience, very engaging, very scary and thrilling at times. It checked all the boxes, also very well optimized; I have a terrible PC yet this game manages to look and feel amazing at a high framerate without me having to change any graphic settings, it's just peak!”
“I would like to point out separately how polished this game feels and plays. Visuals are tidy and detailed, very pleasing to the eye. Japanese voice acting is superb, optimization is praiseworthy and can put to shame most modern AAA games. Even my low spec PC runs it like a charm while many other Unity games run with occasional stutters and freezes, and I'm yet to encounter a single bug.”
“For the most part, on average, there's areas in the game where I experienced frame drops and stuttering.”
“Definitely need more optimization... the interaction seems not very natural and feels like playing phone games, and I'm looking forward to controller support.”
“Performance or gameplay meets the passing mark but remains average.”
- grinding37 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 59 % negative mentions
Overall, players have mixed feelings about grinding in the game. While some find the gameplay versatile and enjoyable with minimal grinding, others note that certain aspects, such as achievement hunting and replaying sections, can become tedious due to slow pacing and the inability to skip dialogue. Many agree that while grinding exists, it varies in intensity depending on individual playstyles and goals.
“These levels tend to work well in the first run, but are pretty tedious to go through even once more.”
“Awfully tedious game with slow moving and many repetitive actions.”
“Going back for all the achievements was fun but as mentioned the no dialogue skip option got a bit tedious.”
- stability21 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 10 % neutral mentions
- 76 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is highly praised, with many players reporting a smooth experience free of significant bugs or glitches. While some minor issues with translation and occasional glitches were noted, the majority of users found the game well-optimized and enjoyable, even on lower-end systems. However, a few players mentioned that the game becomes buggier in later stages, indicating some inconsistency in stability throughout the gameplay.
“The gameplay is smooth with plenty of fun minigames, and I experienced no lag and no glitches.”
“It runs great on my system and I highly recommend giving it a try.”
“No bugs, no glitches.”
“The game is fine in the early stages but becomes incredibly buggy as the game goes on.”
“Naturally a human reaction is to freak out and reset the hallway because she doesn't look human and she grabs your arm pleading for help; the version she exists in is buggy due to it being an unfinished beta, and programming bugs are real and they will eat you.”
“Solid game, great story. I beat it to 100% completion, all 26 achievements. Highly recommend, but it has a few glitches here and there where my screen would go black or a room would refuse to load, causing me to have to restart an entire level.”
- monetization5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the game features no microtransactions, which is a positive aspect for players who are wary of in-game purchases. Some users initially expected a monetization-heavy experience but were pleasantly surprised by the absence of such practices.
“No microtransactions.”
“Honestly thought this game was going to be some garbage gooner game that wants to make money simply by advertising a girl on its cover.”
“Microtransactions - in-game purchases.”
“Microtransactions - in-game purchases.”
