Pocket Mirror ~ GoldenerTraum
- May 19, 2023
- VisuStella
- 2h median play time
Get on SteamWELCOME TO A WORLD OF WONDER AND DARKNESS, WHERE REALITY AND DREAMS INTERTWINE AND SECRETS LURK AROUND EVERY CORNER. Pocket Mirror is a surreal indie adventure game that will take you on a journey through a mysterious realm where nothing is what it seems and everything is connected. As a young girl with a clouded past, you wake up in a strange and eerie mansion with nothing but your pocket mirro…
Mac OS
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Reviews
- The game features stunning visuals and a beautiful art style that enhances the overall experience.
- The story is compelling and filled with depth, offering multiple endings that encourage exploration and replayability.
- The soundtrack is exceptional, perfectly complementing the game's atmosphere and emotional moments.
- Some puzzles can be confusing and may require external guides, which can detract from the immersion.
- The narrative can feel vague and disjointed at times, making it difficult for players to fully grasp the story without multiple playthroughs.
- The save system can be frustrating, as players may need to backtrack significantly after dying or making poor choices.
- story246 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story of "Pocket Mirror" is a complex and often cryptic narrative that intertwines themes of psychological horror and identity, requiring players to engage deeply with the game to fully appreciate its intricacies. While many players praise its beautiful art and music, opinions on the storytelling vary widely; some find it compelling and rewarding, while others criticize it for being vague, poorly executed, or lacking coherence. Overall, the game offers a rich tapestry of symbolism and emotional depth, but its effectiveness largely depends on the player's willingness to explore and piece together the narrative through multiple playthroughs.
“The story is intriguing and mysterious, making you want to continue on to find more pieces of the puzzle.”
“The story is beautifully presented, with a complex narrative and a breathtaking soundtrack tied together in a neat red bow.”
“This game is a huge masterpiece with its story, art, music, characters, and so much more.”
“I'm six hours in and close to nothing has happened regarding the story.”
“The characters are poorly written, and the story is just so forgettable that I don’t feel any motivation to continue.”
“For a story-driven game, its story felt weak.”
- graphics109 mentions
- 65 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning and diverse art styles, blending charming pixel graphics with dreamlike visuals that enhance the overall atmosphere. Players appreciate the intricate character designs and the emotional depth conveyed through the artwork, which complements the compelling narrative and immersive soundtrack. Overall, the game's visuals are described as breathtaking, making it a standout in the RPG Maker genre.
“The visuals are stunning; I feel so inspired whenever I pick up the game.”
“Pocket Mirror is an incredibly gorgeous game in terms of visuals, music, and atmosphere that further bolsters the love I have for RPG Maker horror games like this.”
“The graphics got a serious glow-up - everything's gorgeous and eerily beautiful.”
“The graphics in both the tilesets and in the overall graphics.”
“I was very intrigued by the visuals and the plot, but the gameplay is sadly not my thing.”
“I advise playing the game on legacy graphics since this game is a remaster after all.”
- music106 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 34 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its emotional depth and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere. The soundtrack is described as a masterpiece, beautifully composed and fitting for various scenes, from hauntingly eerie to whimsical. Overall, the combination of stunning visuals and an exceptional soundtrack creates an immersive experience that resonates with players long after they finish the game.
“The soundtrack for this game is a true masterpiece.”
“Pocket mirror is an incredibly gorgeous game in terms of visuals, music, and atmosphere that further bolsters the love I have for RPG Maker horror games like this.”
“The music manages to set the mood for every scene, be it creepy atmospheres, tear-jerking dialogues, silly moments, or adrenaline-intensive horror sequences.”
“I love that music, I really do, but please let me hear all the keys together or at least let me hear the sound if I use them from my inventory...”
“For much time I had seen RPG Maker games with pessimistic and uninterested eyes, but the beauty of the art and soundtrack that I've seen about this game managed to convince me to buy it, and it's a decision I'm glad I've made.”
- gameplay47 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it frustrating and poorly executed, particularly due to confusing puzzles and sudden death mechanics that lack logic. While some appreciate the beautiful art and atmospheric presentation, others criticize the gameplay for being tedious and lacking a sense of progression, often requiring walkthroughs to navigate. Overall, the experience is described as a blend of visual novel elements with some enjoyable aspects, but many feel the gameplay detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.
“Pocket Mirror offers a richly crafted experience that blends challenging gameplay, an intriguing narrative, and an atmospheric presentation.”
“The gameplay is great and the visual aspect is fantastic.”
“They really combined amazing visuals, music, and story together, which makes the gameplay experience very entrancing.”
“The gameplay and story are horribly scripted and executed.”
“The core gameplay loop feels weird, the puzzles are confusing and obscure to the point where you'll end up needing a walkthrough for most of the game, and overall the game itself feels really unfinished.”
“Gameplay is very, very messy.”
- atmosphere33 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its creepy and immersive qualities, enhanced by a beautiful soundtrack and diverse art styles that contribute to a dream-like experience. While some players note inconsistencies in the horror elements and cryptic puzzles, the overall presentation—combining sound design, visuals, and narrative—creates a captivating environment that resonates with fans of atmospheric horror games. Despite minor critiques, the game's ability to evoke emotion and mystery through its atmosphere is a standout feature.
“The audio design creates a calming yet otherworldly atmosphere, enhancing the game’s overall sense of mystery.”
“The music is also incredible and really builds upon the atmosphere.”
“I have seldom seen any type of media nail the dream-like atmosphere as hard as Pocket Mirror does.”
“I do wish the horror was more consistent and that the atmosphere was more gradual, but I do understand story-wise why it is the way that it is.”
“The storytelling is too straightforward to create an atmosphere where the player can read what they want into it like Yume Nikki, but too oblique to create a coherent story arc.”
“The atmosphere can be a bit weaker in some parts, and some interfaces look less unique.”
- emotional15 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its deeply emotional storytelling, blending cutesy aesthetics with horror elements to create a heartfelt experience that resonates with players. Reviewers highlight the well-developed character backstories and the game's ability to evoke strong feelings, often leading to tears and a profound connection to the narrative. The combination of beautiful art, fitting music, and relatable themes of trauma and relationships contributes to its status as a memorable and impactful emotional journey.
“Honestly one of the best story games I've ever played, this one's story is definitely on par with games such as Undertale. What's different with this one is that it has a heartfelt story, which makes you feel connected to the characters; they even took the time to show you each character's backstory.”
“It's a beautiful, heartfelt, thoughtful story, one that's affected me deeply.”
“The unique relationships formed between the protagonist and all those she meets caused great emotional wells within me as I played, and I always think that a game that can do that is something truly special.”
- grinding7 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, often overshadowing the appealing visual design. While some puzzles offer a fair challenge, many are perceived as mindless or overly simplistic, leading to a repetitive experience that detracts from the overall enjoyment. The lengthy nature of the game further exacerbates the grind, making it feel more laborious, especially when attempting to achieve all endings.
“I feel sorry that the beautiful and lush visual design is going to waste because of the game's mindless level/puzzle design and tediously dumb and therefore useless story.”
“There is some good and well done visual stuff here that is, unfortunately, crammed in-between tedious and/or frustrating gameplay sections, accompanied by weak or stilted dialogue, mainly from the main character.”
“The art and details drew me in, but it just got tedious.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the abundance of content, including multiple endings and a New Game+ mode, others express a desire for improvements, such as the ability to skip previously seen dialogue to enhance the experience.
“A feature from the game I liked is how replayable it is.”
“+ lots of content (endings, dead ends, new game+) which adds a great replayability value.”
“Poor replayability.”
“I wish the replayability was better, like a way to speed through the dialogue that we've already seen before.”
- character development3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers praise the character development for its stunning art and beautiful designs, highlighting how these elements, combined with an in-depth story and an atmospheric soundtrack, create an immersive experience that captivates the senses.
“The art is stunning, the character designs are lovely, and everything about the setting is just beautiful.”
“It's an absolute feast for the senses, with impressive graphics, outstanding character design, and a beautiful soundtrack that enhances the experience and truly sets the atmosphere.”
“In-depth story, beautiful character design, gorgeous visuals, and I listen to the music constantly.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by a playful inconsistency, where the main character's name is censored during gameplay but humorously revealed in her sticker, adding a lighthearted touch to the experience.
“It's hilarious how the main character's name is correctly censored in-game and in the opening cutscene, but her full name is listed on her sticker for this game! XD”
“The humor in this game is top-notch, with clever jokes and witty dialogue that kept me laughing throughout.”
“I love the quirky characters and their funny interactions; they really add a unique charm to the game!”
