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.

Play Modes

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

Reviews

56%

Audience ScoreBased on 32 reviews

story14 positive mentions

atmosphere3 negative mentions

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

The game contains extreme content, including graphic violence and sexual themes, which may be disturbing for many players.
There are significant bugs, such as a gallery wipe after finishing the game, which detracts from the overall experience.
The narrative can devolve into gratuitous gore and torture, overshadowing the initial intriguing plot and character development.

story
53 mentions
26 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The story of "Nie no Hakoniwa" starts with an intriguing premise, blending elements of politics, romance, and horror, but ultimately devolves into graphic violence and gratuitous content that detracts from its initial promise. While some players appreciate the character interactions and pacing, many criticize the narrative for its extreme themes and lack of meaningful character development, leading to a disjointed experience that leaves little room for empathy. Overall, the storytelling is polarizing, with some finding it engaging and others deeming it a disappointing descent into torture porn.
- “I must say the overall story is a good read. I love how chill it is at first while getting to know every character, and then after the prologue, it started to get really interesting. The storytelling is well done, and as I read more, the mystery built up, leading to a twist and an ending that I loved.”
- “The story beats are incredibly satisfying, with twists and turns you won’t see coming. You'll go through a roller coaster of emotions as you progress deeper into the story.”
- “The art is gorgeous, the soundtrack is atmospheric, and the story does a good job of grabbing your attention. It has a way of hooking you in, exploring your curiosity about the dark secrets of the seven houses by giving you small pieces little by little.”
- “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.”
- “At the very least, nie no hakoniwa does have some themes about how, under a patriarchy, the only value women are thought to have is as childrearers, but those themes are so infrequently explored and so painfully unrealized that it in no way is worth trudging through the slop that is the remaining 99.9% of the story to get to them.”
- “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.”
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 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 the beautiful artwork.
- “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
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 beautiful voice acting, noting that the overall presentation, including art and music, is polished and engaging, though 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.”
- “Art, sound, music, interface, and everything feel polished, as does the translation.”
atmosphere
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
-150 % 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 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 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 creates 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 positive element 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 made me reflect on my own life and the choices I've made.”
- “The game masterfully balances moments of joy and sorrow, leaving a lasting impact on my heart.”
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 its 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 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 rich and immersive 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.”
replayability
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
The game has limited replayability, 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 motivation to dive back in, as the story doesn't change significantly with different choices.”
- “The lack of varied outcomes makes replaying feel more like a chore than an enjoyable experience.”