Nie no Hakoniwa: Dollhouse of Offerings
- February 15, 2024
- Chatte Noire
- 8h median play time
Get on SteamIn "Nie no Hakoniwa: Dollhouse of Offerings," Kurou, a product of House Yasaka, is adopted by House Shiki, the first among the Seven Noble Houses, to be their heir. He interacts with Shiki Kyouko, the eldest daughter, building emotions within him, until a nightmare is born on their wedding day. This narrative-driven game features dark fantasy themes and multiple endings determined by the player's choices.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The artwork and voice acting are high quality, enhancing the overall experience.
- The story starts off intriguing, with a mix of dark themes and character development that keeps players engaged.
- The game is unapologetically bold in its content, appealing to those who appreciate extreme themes in visual novels.
- The narrative devolves into gratuitous violence and sexual content, overshadowing the initial story setup.
- Character development suffers as the plot progresses, leading to one-dimensional portrayals and a lack of emotional engagement.
- The pacing is inconsistent, with many players feeling that the story is unnecessarily long and filled with unresolved plot points.
- story57 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The story of "Nie no Hakoniwa" is characterized by a dark and mysterious narrative that initially captivates players with its intriguing setup and character development. However, many reviews highlight a significant decline in quality as the plot devolves into gratuitous violence and sexual content, overshadowing its earlier themes of political intrigue and moral ambiguity. While some appreciate the twists and emotional depth, others criticize the excessive gore and one-dimensional character arcs that detract from the overall experience.
“The story is dark, but I really enjoyed it (outside the ending).”
“The story beats are incredibly satisfying, with twists and turns you won’t see coming.”
“The story has a way of hooking you in, exploring your curiosity just thinking about the dark secrets of the seven houses by giving you small pieces little by little...”
“It was a waste of time; I think the story is unnecessarily long and could be better. There are too many useless things that I don't need to know, but they still decided to include them anyway.”
“The ending seems to present the protagonist and main heroine in a sympathetic light—the tone of the writing wants you to feel bad for what happens to them—but they were so irredeemably disgusting for the majority of the story that this presentation seems completely unjustified.”
“The story might revel in dark content, but it all feels gratuitous and porny, and the sex scenes slow the pacing down to an agonizing crawl where nothing happens for hours at a time.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning visuals and exquisite art style, which initially attract players. The high production values enhance the immersive experience, although the game's gore elements may surprise those drawn in solely by its aesthetic appeal.
“Despite all that, the artwork is gorgeous and was what drew my attention in the first place.”
“The character and art style is exquisite and the sound design is immersive.”
“I was initially interested in this visual novel because of the gorgeous artwork, seemingly high production values, and the promise of a historical horror story based on a Japanese urban legend.”
“Also warning, this is a gore-graphic game.”
- music6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The music in the game is heavily influenced by traditional Japanese styles, creating a tranquil atmosphere during peaceful moments and a sense of foreboding in tense situations. Reviewers praise the atmospheric soundtrack and opening, highlighting the overall polish of the audio alongside the art and presentation, though some caution that it may not be suitable for those easily unsettled.
“The music, voice acting, and art are beautiful, and while the story isn't groundbreaking, it is interesting.”
“The soundtrack and opening are amazing.”
“The background music is based on traditional Japanese music, which evokes a sense of tranquility in peaceful moments and an atmosphere of foreboding during tense moments.”
“Art, sound, music, interface, and everything feel polished, as does the translation.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is enhanced by a beautiful soundtrack rooted in traditional Japanese music, creating a tranquil ambiance during peaceful scenes and a sense of foreboding in tense moments. Coupled with stunning visuals and an engaging story, the overall atmosphere effectively captivates players.
“The art, as you can tell from the screenshots, is gorgeous; the original soundtrack is very atmospheric, and the story does a good job of grabbing your attention.”
“The background music is based on traditional Japanese music, which evokes a sense of tranquility in peaceful moments and an atmosphere of foreboding during tense moments.”
“The game fails to create a compelling atmosphere, leaving players feeling disconnected from the world.”
“Despite the beautiful visuals, the atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth needed to immerse players.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while initial world-building and character development foster attachment, the narrative takes a chaotic turn that diminishes emotional connections, leaving players feeling detached from the increasingly erratic characters. The few wholesome moments primarily involve the protagonist's wife, Kyouko, who stands out as a beloved character amidst the turmoil.
“The emotional depth of the characters really pulls you in, making you feel their struggles and triumphs throughout the story.”
“I was genuinely moved by the heartfelt moments in the game; it made me reflect on my own experiences and emotions.”
“The way the narrative unfolds allows for a deep emotional connection with the characters, leaving a lasting impact long after the game ends.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized as grotesque, typical of a guro game, but players suggest that those who have done some research beforehand will likely find it manageable and not overly traumatizing.
- optimization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game is highly praised, particularly for the exceptional voice acting, with special recognition given to the protagonist's seiyuu, Yotsuba You, for delivering an outstanding performance.
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Character development is perceived as minimal and linear, yet the established personalities and engaging dialogues among characters effectively drive the narrative forward, enhancing the overall storytelling experience.
“Character development may seem minimal, with characters exhibiting linear growth, but their established personalities and conversations are really what make them bounce off each other to propel the story forward.”
“The depth of each character's backstory adds layers to their development, making every interaction feel meaningful and impactful.”
“As the story progresses, you can see the characters evolve in response to their experiences, which creates a more immersive and engaging narrative.”
“Character development feels shallow, as the characters don't evolve significantly throughout the game.”
“The lack of meaningful character arcs makes it hard to connect with the cast on a deeper level.”
“While the characters have distinct personalities, their growth is predictable and lacks depth.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is limited, primarily appealing to those interested in discovering missed hints or analyzing subtle details, as it does not provide significant incentives for multiple playthroughs.
“Regarding replay value, unless you're keen on uncovering missed hints or analyzing subtle details, the game may not offer much incentive for multiple playthroughs.”
“Once you've completed the game, there's little reason to return, as the story doesn't change significantly with different choices.”
“The lack of varied outcomes makes replaying the game feel more like a chore than an enjoyable experience.”
