Nightshade／百花百狼

About

"Nightshade/百花百狼" is an engaging adventure game with a single-player experience. It features a captivating story of ninjas during Japan's Sengoku Period, blending factual characters and events with fiction. With stunning visuals, a delightful soundtrack, and the possibility of wholesome humor, this visual novel romance game promises an enjoyable journey for players. The prologue and chapters 1 and 2 can be shared freely, as long as it's not for business purposes.

Genres & Tags

Adventure

Play Modes

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

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 846 reviews

story300 positive mentions

stability6 negative mentions

Beautiful artwork and character designs that enhance the storytelling experience.
Engaging and emotional storylines with well-developed characters, making each route feel unique.
High-quality voice acting that brings the characters to life and adds depth to the narrative.

The main character can sometimes feel weak or overly reliant on others, which may frustrate some players.
Some routes have repetitive elements, leading to a feeling of predictability in the overarching plot.
A few minor translation errors and UI issues that can detract from the overall experience.

story
896 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
63%
4%
The story in "Nightshade" is a complex and engaging narrative set in the Sengoku period, featuring a protagonist who navigates various romantic paths with distinct male characters, each offering unique storylines and emotional depth. While the overarching plot remains consistent across routes, individual character arcs provide significant variations, leading to a mix of dark themes, political intrigue, and personal growth. However, some players noted that the story can feel repetitive after multiple playthroughs, with certain routes sharing similar plot points, yet the overall experience is enriched by strong character development and immersive storytelling.
- “It really felt like a different story for each playthrough - I was very impressed.”
- “The story is a breathtaking, twist-rich drama.”
- “The story pulled so many emotions out of me.”
- “The plot development is very bad in Chojiro and Kuroyuki's route; it left a bad taste in my mouth, both MC and LIs are so stubborn and irritating.”
- “The only thing I disliked about the game was the main story plot was the same for all five guys.”
- “I just wish the choices impacted the story more, and there had been more options and routes.”
music
224 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
41%
2%
The music in the game has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many players praising its beautiful composition, emotional depth, and ability to enhance the overall experience. The soundtrack is noted for its variety, fitting themes, and memorable tracks, including the opening and ending songs, which many players found themselves listening to repeatedly. While a few critiques mention occasional repetitiveness or mismatched tracks, the general consensus highlights the music as a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's immersive storytelling and emotional impact.
- “The music, art, and every route, with one exception, is simply excellent and leaves you with an array of warm and joyful emotions.”
- “The voice acting is fantastic, the music is wonderful, the art design is lovely, and the guys are all amazing.”
- “Nightshade brings forth alluring character dynamics, elegant music, and gorgeous artwork into beautiful, but sometimes hurtful, stories/routes that I really can't compare to other otome games.”
- “The music is trash and the transitions are bad.”
- “Sometimes the music doesn't really suit the current situation and the music can be quite repetitive.”
- “I did get annoyed by the background music at times, so I wish there were maybe 1 or 2 other tracks, but it wasn't such a big deal.”
graphics
160 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
18%
3%
The graphics in the game are widely praised for their stunning artwork and character designs, with many reviewers highlighting the beautiful visuals and engaging animations. The art style, often described as captivating and well-crafted, complements the game's intriguing storyline and excellent voice acting. While some users noted minor issues with readability and control displays, the overall consensus is that the graphics significantly enhance the gaming experience.
- “The visuals are like a feast for the eyes, decent UI, ear-catching BGM, and the storyline is so captivating, it's like taking a thrilling time-travel trip through Japan's history—all bundled up with characters that make you check Wikipedia to read their biographies.”
- “The artwork is gorgeous, the characters all have distinct personalities and beautiful designs, and for the most part, they manage to pull off their respective personality types without being creepy or off-putting.”
- “The art style is beautiful, the music is really good, the story is intriguing, and the characters are all wonderful.”
- “The graphics they use are horrible and hard to read on the graphic background.”
- “Personally, the game is good, but what I dislike about it is that the graphics are not that good. It doesn't show the controls and it doesn't let you pick the characters; it depends on your choices.”
- “The reason why I didn't enjoy the CGs as much as other otoge like Collar x Malice is probably because there wasn't much distinction between the CG and sprite art style.”
emotional
130 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with many players reporting that they cried frequently throughout various character routes, particularly those of Choujirou and Gekkamaru. The storytelling is described as engaging and heart-wrenching, featuring a mix of tragic and wholesome moments that deeply resonate with players, often leading to a strong emotional investment in the characters. Overall, the game is recognized for its ability to evoke a wide range of feelings, making it a compelling choice for those seeking an emotional experience.
- “Choujirou's story made me cry, but I teared up during other routes too.”
- “The storyline was great - engaging, in depth, emotional - wished it could go on forever.”
- “It's emotionally gripping to the point where I did have to reach for the tissues a few times, but that just goes to show how good it is.”
character development
56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
36%
7%
Character development in the game is notably strong, particularly in Hanzo's route, where both he and the main character experience significant growth and believable romance. While some routes, like those of Kuroyuki and Chojiro, also showcase impressive development, the main character is often criticized for lacking depth, resembling a "damsel in distress." Overall, players appreciate the gradual evolution of relationships and character traits, with beautiful artwork and voice acting enhancing the experience.
- “There was a lot of character development which can be difficult to find in these sorts of games. You can see characters change gradually throughout the game, the relationship between all the characters was beautiful; you can tell just how close they are and you got to know each and every one of them really well.”
- “By the end, the route featured the most dramatic and best character development, the perfect balance between angst and hope, the best slow burn, unsurpassed fight sequences, and the fact that Enju has a very healthy relationship with everyone throughout the route—especially with Hanzo.”
- “Great game with some interesting character development, nice amount of sweet and angsty to keep you playing.”
- “The main character is a typical 'damsel in distress' who has no character development, or even backwards development (apart from one route).”
- “Enju's character development did not feel as fleshed out or as well-developed in the other routes in comparison to Hanzo's story.”
- “Not having Ieyasu Tokugawa as a character was a huge waste of potential for both storyline and character development.”
humor
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as both abundant and varied, with many players finding it genuinely funny and capable of eliciting laughter amidst the more tragic elements of the story. While some characters are noted for their lack of depth and humor, others, like Kyara and Enju's friends, bring a lightheartedness that enhances the experience. Overall, the blend of humor and emotional moments contributes to a dynamic narrative that resonates with players.
- “The routes are definitely tragic, but to me the tragedy is over-the-top, and the scenarios so disconnected from real, logical life, that it meant I didn't really get too sad and instead found some elements straight up hilarious.”
- “The humor, strength, and persistence in Enju's friends was the highlight of this route—not Kuroyuki.”
- “Kyara is confident, down to earth, funny, vulnerable, non-apologetic, and more age appropriate.”
gameplay
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
79%
11%
The gameplay is straightforward and enjoyable, featuring a point-and-click mechanic that allows for easy navigation and decision-making, with quick save and load options enhancing the experience. Players appreciate the simplicity and accessibility of the mechanics, which include features like relationship status indicators and the ability to review dialogue. Overall, the game offers over 30 hours of engaging content without the frustration often found in similar titles.
- “Overall, the game was fantastic and provides over 30+ hours of gameplay easily.”
- “I liked how simple the gameplay was; the quick save and quick load made it easy to get the right answers (because I almost always click the wrong one first).”
- “+ Easy gameplay (it shows you when you made the right decision for a love interest and it shows you your relationship status).”
- “I actually loved these characters and not once did I feel frustrated with the gameplay mechanics (unlike Ozmafia, which made its routes exceedingly difficult and confusing. I've had it for over three months and I keep having to exit out of the game due to frustration. I want to see the true end but I haven't been able to get 100% CG, and it's really obnoxious.)”
- “Game mechanics: pretty standard as far as otome games go.”
- “Nothing too complicated about the gameplay either, point and click.”
atmosphere
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its beautiful storyline, mysterious backstories, and an original soundtrack that enhances the medieval setting. Players appreciate the authentic feel of the environment, although some find certain sound effects, like the kissing, to be distracting. Overall, the combination of music and setting creates an immersive experience that resonates well with fans of the genre.
- “The game itself is jam packed with a beautiful storyline, mysterious backstories, and original atmospheric music befitting any mood.”
- “I like everything medieval, so the setting and atmosphere were appealing.”
- “The soundtrack throughout the game nicely coincides with the atmosphere.”
replayability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
25%
38%
Overall, the game offers high replayability due to its multiple endings and rich character development, making it appealing for players who enjoy emotional narratives and plot twists. However, some users noted that the experience can feel repetitive over time, with diminishing excitement in subsequent playthroughs.
- “All the twists and turns make this a great game, and honestly there is so much to each character that I think the replay value is extremely high as well, assuming you are a glutton for punishment and emotional rollercoasters.”
- “+multiple endings with a lot of replay value”
- “But this game is definitely worth it and has a lot of replayability.”
- “- The plot did feel dry from time to time, and replay value dulled with subsequent playthroughs.”
- “+ Multiple endings with a lot of replay value.”
- “All the twists and turns make this a great game, and honestly, there is so much to each character that I think replay value is extremely high as well, assuming you are a glutton for punishment and emotional rollercoasters.”
optimization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The reviews highlight strong voice acting performances, particularly praising Kenjiro Tsuda, Hikaru Midorikawa, and Kosuke Toriumi for their exceptional work. Additionally, the game's sound design, including the opening and ending themes, is noted as impressive, with the option to customize the system voice adding to the overall experience. However, there are no specific comments on technical optimization or performance issues.
- “About the sound: I bought the Nightshade OST bundle, and I have to say that the opening and ending themes are both exceptional. Of course, the cast's performance is excellent, and you can choose the voice of the system that you want!”
- “Being an otome and anime fangirl myself, I absolutely loved Kenjiro Tsuda, Hikaru Midorikawa, and Kosuke Toriumi's performances here, and well, in almost every game or show they work on.”
- “All voice actors are good in this game, but his performance is my favorite; it captures his character excellently!”
stability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game has been reported to be quite buggy, with numerous glitches affecting gameplay. However, the developers have been proactive in addressing these issues through regular patches and have shown responsiveness to community feedback.
- “Let's be real straight here: this game is buggy as hell.”
- “Some glitches (maybe it's my laptop).”
- “When the game was buggy on release, the developers were always patching and they were responsive to the community.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game somewhat tedious due to the repetitive nature of the underlying plot and events, which remain largely unchanged across different routes. However, the distinct character differences among companions help to alleviate some of the monotony, providing a more engaging experience.