Mystery at Stonyford Bridge
- October 21, 2019
- Schoolfield Games
Welcome to Stonyford, a small town nestled in the mountains. Here, everyone knows each other, and your neighbors are like family. Nothing bad ever happens here...until now. Play as Grey as he returns home from his first semester at college. The town is bursting with holiday spirit, and the night of your return, you are happy to go to the Christmas Fest and see all of your old friends. You could n…
Reviews
- The game features a well-written and emotionally gripping story that keeps players engaged and invested.
- Players can experience multiple endings and make meaningful choices, enhancing replayability.
- The artwork and character design, while simple, effectively complement the game's atmosphere and setting.
- Some plot progression moments feel forced and may not be entirely realistic.
- The game includes 'fake choices' that do not significantly impact the story, which can be frustrating.
- The graphics may appear amateurish to some players, and character designs, such as oversized eyes, may not appeal to everyone.
- story10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The story of "Mystery at Stonyford Bridge" is praised for its well-written, emotional narrative that immerses players in a conspiracy and teen detective theme, emphasizing friendship and human relationships. While some found the plot progression occasionally forced and certain elements unrealistic, the overall coherence and engaging nature of the story overshadow these issues. The game includes interactive investigative scenes, though these are criticized for lacking depth, as they often require little thought to progress.
“This story is really well written, and it is criminal that it has not gotten more attention.”
“The visual novel 'Mystery at Stonyford Bridge' is a well-written, emotional conspiracy/teen detective story with a focus on friendship and human relations.”
“All things considered, I think 'Mystery at Stonyford Bridge' is a captivating, serious, well-written story that deserves much more attention than it is currently getting.”
“On the flipside, in some moments the plot progression felt a little forced, and the game's two main premises could be seen as not very realistic.”
“Those I found rather weak since they don't require any thought - you just move the mouse around and click on everything that lights up, until the story continues.”
“But personally, I didn't have any problems suspending my disbelief - some parts of the story felt a bit far-fetched, but they do form a coherent whole.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its emotional depth, with players reporting multiple instances of crying and a shocking ending. Its well-crafted narrative, particularly in the visual novel "Mystery at Stonyford Bridge," effectively explores themes of friendship and human relationships, showcasing a range of emotions through natural dialogue and skillful tone shifts. Overall, the emotional impact of the story resonates deeply with players, highlighting the writer's talent.
“This game made me cry multiple times, and the ending is a mind f*ck; holy crap.”
“The visual novel 'Mystery at Stonyford Bridge' is a well-written, emotional conspiracy/teen detective story with a focus on friendship and human relations.”
“Several of the more emotional scenes affected me quite deeply, which I mean as a compliment to the writer.”
- music3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The music in the game received mixed feedback, with some players initially indifferent to it due to personal taste. However, many noted that the piano work is well-executed, and the music tends to resonate more positively as the story progresses, particularly during impactful moments like the ending.
“The piano work sounds very good; I just prefer a different kind of music.”
“I don't care much for the music, unfortunately; that is mostly just personal preference.”
“After finishing the story, I have to say the music really started to grow on me, and what a brutal ending.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's graphics feature a simple yet fitting artwork style that complements the isolated town setting, though some users perceive them as somewhat amateurish. Overall, the visuals are appreciated for their charm, despite not being highly polished.
“I like the artwork as well; it's a lot better than mine for sure, but its simple style seems to really fit this small isolated town.”
“The game's graphics look a bit amateurish, but not bad.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is well-executed, with natural and engaging dialogue that enhances the interactions between characters. The writer skillfully balances various tones, seamlessly integrating humor with more serious themes, which adds depth to the overall experience.
“The writer shows an excellent command of English; the dialogue, especially between the friends, flows naturally. The tone skillfully shifts between thoughtful, sad, humorous, suspenseful, and emotional.”
“The humor in the game is brilliantly crafted, making even the most serious moments light-hearted and enjoyable.”
“I found myself laughing out loud at the witty banter and clever puns throughout the game.”