Nie no Hakoniwa: Dollhouse of Offerings

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In "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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

57%

Audience ScoreBased on 33 reviews

story15 positive mentions

atmosphere3 negative mentions

The artwork and character design are stunning, showcasing high-quality visuals that enhance the overall experience.
The story, while dark and intense, is engaging and filled with unexpected twists that keep players intrigued.
The voice acting and sound design contribute significantly to the immersive atmosphere of the game.

The game features extreme content, including graphic violence, sexual assault, and cannibalism, which may be distressing for many players.
The narrative can feel disjointed and devolves into gratuitous scenes that overshadow character development and meaningful storytelling.
There are significant issues with bugs, such as gallery wipes, and the need for a paid patch to access crucial story elements can be frustrating.

story
55 mentions
27 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The story of "Nie no Hakoniwa" is characterized by its dark themes and complex narrative, initially engaging players with political intrigue and character development, but it ultimately devolves into graphic violence and gratuitous content that detracts from its earlier promise. While some players appreciate the twists and emotional depth, many criticize the latter half for its extreme and disturbing elements, which overshadow the initial storytelling and character arcs. Overall, the narrative is polarizing, with a mix of compelling moments and significant flaws that leave players divided on its execution.
- “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...”
- “The first few hours set up a promising story but it just devolves into gore porn interspersed with actual porn every so often, with one-dimensional characters and a twist seemingly thrown in just to say there is one.”
- “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.”
- “I tried to slog through the latter half of this story, since the initial set-up was interesting enough I wanted to see how it ended, but I had to dip out after getting to a particularly nasty scene where an abused housewife is repeatedly kicked and punched in the stomach by her husband (complete with a lovingly detailed illustration showcasing all of her bruises), until she's rescued by Kurou, who murders her husband…”
graphics
6 mentions
67 % positive mentions
17 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning visuals and exquisite character art, which initially attract players. The artwork showcases high production values, contributing to an 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.”
music
6 mentions
67 % positive mentions
-17 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The music in the game is heavily influenced by traditional Japanese styles, effectively creating a tranquil atmosphere during peaceful moments and a sense of foreboding in tense situations. Reviewers praise the atmospheric soundtrack and beautiful voice acting, noting that the overall presentation, including art and music, is polished and engaging, although it may not be suitable for those easily unsettled.
- “The soundtrack and opening are amazing.”
- “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 music feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged during longer play sessions.”
- “While the sound design is decent, the music often feels out of place and doesn't match the game's tone.”
atmosphere
2 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.”
emotional
2 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 as if they were your own.”
- “I was genuinely moved by the story; it explores themes of love and loss in a way that resonates deeply.”
- “The game masterfully balances light-hearted moments with heavy emotional scenes, creating a rollercoaster of feelings that kept me engaged.”
gameplay
1 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.
optimization
1 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 development
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-500 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Character development is perceived as minimal and linear, yet the distinct personalities and engaging dialogues of the 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 makes their journeys feel authentic and relatable.”
- “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.”
replayability
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is limited, as it primarily appeals to players interested in discovering missed hints or analyzing subtle details, rather than providing 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 motivation to dive back in, 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.”