Psychedelica of the Black Butterfly

91%
Game Brain Score Based on 237 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • emotional
Psychedelica of the Black Butterfly Game Cover
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In "Psychedelica of the Black Butterfly" , players awaken in a mysterious mansion with no memory of their identity. To survive, they must hunt black butterflies and claim kaleidoscope shards from monsters while uncovering their past. The game features vibrant, psychedelic graphics, multiple story paths, and a cast of intriguing characters, with additional plot elements unlocked through mini-games. With a focus on player choice, the game promises surprising endings and a memorable adventure.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station Vita
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 237 reviews
story156 positive mentions
grinding6 negative mentions
  • The story is beautifully written with unexpected plot twists that evoke strong emotions.
  • The art and music are stunning, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the game.
  • The flowchart system allows for easy navigation through different routes and endings.
  • The mini-game can be tedious and may detract from the overall experience.
  • Some characters exhibit problematic traits, including misogyny and lack of development.
  • The romance aspect is minimal, which may disappoint players looking for a traditional otome experience.
  • story444 mentions

    The story of "Psychedelica of the Black Butterfly" is widely praised for its emotional depth, intricate plot twists, and exploration of heavy themes such as grief and trauma. While it is more focused on storytelling than romance, players appreciate the character development and the way each route reveals different facets of the overarching narrative. The game employs a unique flowchart system that allows players to navigate through the story and unlock side episodes, enhancing the overall experience despite some critiques regarding pacing and character archetypes.

    • “The story is amazing with an unexpected plot twist, but be prepared because you're going to cry.”
    • “Psychedelica of the Black Butterfly is such an amazing and in-depth story about grief, how we deal with it, and ultimately how we learn to let it go and move on.”
    • “This is storytelling at its best, and I recommend it to anyone, even if you're not a fan of otome games, to find yourself in the world of Psychedelica and fall into this painful but heartwarming story.”
    • “The story is dark -- so just know that going in.”
    • “The story doesn't focus too much on the romance, but the routes for each guy are emotional and carry their arcs very well.”
    • “The romance actually takes a backseat, so to speak, and is given less emphasis than the fleshing out of the characters, how they mesh or conflict with one another, and their parts in the overall arc of the story.”
  • music65 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its beauty and ability to enhance the emotional atmosphere, with many players noting its catchiness and suitability for various scenes. While some found it occasionally repetitive, the overall sentiment is that the soundtrack is a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and immersive experience. Many players expressed interest in purchasing the soundtrack DLC, highlighting its quality and the impact it has on the storytelling.

    • “The music is gorgeous.”
    • “The perfect combination of an interesting, mysterious story, deep, charismatic characters, great voice acting, great music, and amazing art.”
    • “The music is blended well with the mystifying atmosphere and enhances the feel of the game.”
    • “There are times when the app crashed and the music would stop playing.”
    • “Additionally, none of the audio files had any artist, title, album information to them--they were just named '001', '002', '003', and so on (for some reason, '007' gets skipped)--which makes me think that whoever put the OST together for Steam didn't really put much effort into it.”
    • “Also a note that the OP & ED were not included in the OST, which is a bummer.”
  • emotional55 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is overwhelmingly powerful, with many players reporting that it made them cry multiple times due to its rich storytelling and exploration of heavy themes like grief, loss, and acceptance. While some found the emotional depth lacking in certain areas, the majority praised the game for its ability to evoke a wide range of feelings, from heartbreak to warmth, making it a compelling experience for those who appreciate a deeply engaging narrative. Overall, it is described as an emotional rollercoaster that resonates long after gameplay.

    • “This game has such rich and emotional storytelling that it has, admittedly, made me both gnaw my arm and lie face down on the ground in response to many scenes and events, even long after first playing them.”
    • “They truly strike that balance of the pain of struggling to find their footing in tragedy, but when they do find it with each other it's so beautiful and heartwarming and makes you cry more than the moments of sadness.”
    • “It was heartbreaking, and then slowly learning more from the flowchart and unlocking memories makes the plot even more tragic as you experience a roller coaster of emotions.”
  • graphics46 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning artwork and unique art style, which many reviewers consider some of the best in the otome genre. The visuals effectively convey emotion and enhance the storytelling, with immersive details like character interactions and atmospheric effects. However, some users noted that certain scenes can be overly cluttered, potentially detracting from the overall visual experience.

    • “The artwork is beautiful, and you can feel the emotion in the voice acting.”
    • “Let me just say that the artwork is absolutely beautiful and probably some of the best I have seen in an otome game so far.”
    • “It's a work of art, enriched even more so by captivating storytelling, unexpected plot twists, and detailed and breathtaking art style.”
    • “I was a little skeptical because of the unusual art style.”
    • “Graphics: ✿✿✿✿❀”
    • “The game has quite a few graphic scenarios - so if you're sensitive to that, try another game.”
  • humor15 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as a blend of funny and sad moments, often eliciting laughter through quirky character interactions and comedic scenarios, such as the unique vocal expressions of Japanese voice actors. While it features lighthearted and amusing elements, the overall tone is an emotional rollercoaster, balancing humor with deeper, darker themes. Players appreciate the diverse characters and the mix of comedic and poignant storytelling, making it both entertaining and memorable.

    • “It's sad, it's inspiring, it's funny, all of it.”
    • “Made me laugh so hard I lost oxygen; I do recommend it, there's a lot of stuff to do.”
    • “The interactions between our main character and the male love interests are always either funny and sweet, through the numerous friendly banters scattered throughout the storyline and in the special unlockable short episodes.”
    • “I've danced with the wolves (unfunny joke), but nothing could have prepared me for whatever Karasuba is.”
    • “The humor in this game falls flat, relying on tired clichés that fail to elicit any genuine laughter.”
    • “I expected clever wit, but instead, I was met with jokes that felt forced and out of place.”
  • gameplay13 mentions

    The gameplay of the visual novel is generally well-received, featuring a unique flowchart mechanic that enhances story navigation and offers multiple endings, with a total playtime of 20 to 30 hours depending on reading speed. While some users noted minor translation errors and occasional crashes, the immersive art and engaging plot across various routes contribute positively to the overall experience. However, the game's complexity and price point may deter some players seeking a more straightforward or budget-friendly option.

    • “The flowchart mechanic was a cool mechanic too, and made it easy to jump around the story and access other routes.”
    • “The first game that scratched my completionist ego, comfortable gameplay and interesting plot for every route.”
    • “Featuring 12 possible endings, Psychedelica of the Black Butterfly offers between 20 and 30 hours of gameplay, although it very much depends on how fast of a reader you are.”
    • “If you're looking for a difficult game with complicated mechanics or a highly romance-focused otome, look elsewhere.”
    • “I'd like to note, though, that I got this on offer for half price, and I don't know if I'd have paid full price, but that's just because visual novels are expensive - especially considering that this was only 20 hours of gameplay to do literally everything.”
    • “I got an error (the game crashed) a few times during 20 hours of gameplay.”
  • character development13 mentions

    Character development in the game is generally well-received, with many players appreciating the depth and growth of characters as they navigate complex themes of guilt, grief, and forgiveness. While some characters may feel underdeveloped in certain routes, the overall narrative encourages players to explore multiple paths to fully grasp the story. The interactions and transformations of characters are highlighted as a strong point, contributing to a satisfying and cathartic experience.

    • “I tolerated and liked him in the common route and in the routes for others, but in his own route, I kinda hated him until the end. I think his character development was good though, and I could forgive him for what he did since I knew he was just doing it to hide his own cowardice and make others feel like they were the ones who were scared.”
    • “In fact, I would say that the lighter focus on romance works well in this story about guilt, grief, and forgiveness, as it allows the writing to focus more on the plot, character development, and of course, the mystery.”
    • “I recommend this game to people who want a beautifully crafted story with character development and satisfying, cathartic conclusions to the conflict that started it all.”
    • “Some of the characters lack character development in their older forms, or at least certain routes seem lacking to me. You really need to play through the entire flowchart to fully understand the story as a whole.”
    • “In fact, I would say that the lighter focus on romance works well in this story about guilt, grief, and forgiveness, as it allows the writing to focus more on the plot, character development, and, of course, the mystery.”
    • “Well-thought-out character development.”
  • atmosphere11 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its captivating blend of music, detailed visuals, and a unique art style that enhances both a calming and unnerving experience. While the overall tone is described as gloomy and bittersweet, some players feel that certain elements, like character voices, can disrupt the immersive atmosphere. Overall, the combination of art, sound, and storytelling creates a compelling and atmospheric experience.

    • “What attracted me to it was mostly the atmosphere of the game.”
    • “The music is blended well with the mystifying atmosphere, and enhances the feel of the game.”
    • “The atmosphere can be both very calming and unnerving, which is great while a purely depressing story would be hard to read.”
    • “But in that gray atmosphere, her voice felt too soft, gentle, girly; I don't know.”
    • “I don't like to be thrown out of that gloomy atmosphere by such decoding.”
    • “Actually, it could be ideal for a general bittersweet atmosphere, but as I didn't enjoy the main story too much...”
  • grinding8 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be minimal, as there are options to skip tedious sections and sufficient points can be earned without excessive effort. However, some users note that certain mini-games can become repetitive and tedious, particularly when trying to unlock side stories, which may disrupt the flow of the main narrative. Despite these minor frustrations, the game generally avoids a grind-heavy experience.

    • “It's not grindy, and if you have enough points, you can skip it by pressing 'force stop'.”
    • “The only thing I didn't like too much is the shooting episodes - they feel too clunky to enjoy, but fortunately, they give you enough points to unlock new chapters and side stories, so it's not too grindy.”
    • “While I appreciate the break up in emotions with the short stories, it does become tedious after a while - especially when you're trying to hit a certain route.”
    • “Admittedly, it can feel tedious in some ways since it's basically filler.”
    • “Downside is that it can be tedious if you want to just play the main story and can't do so until you unlock and go through the side story.”
  • optimization5 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with some users experiencing performance issues and noting a lack of controller support in version 1.08. While the voice acting performance is praised, players are advised to ensure their systems can handle the game, as accessibility may take precedence over optimal performance. Additionally, certain mini-games may initially seem challenging but can lead to smoother gameplay once mastered.

    • “Amazing performance of all voice actors.”
    • “The mini-game where you have to shoot butterflies might seem annoying at first, but as soon as you get the hang of it, everything will run smoothly.”
    • “Some people have performance issues, so once you buy it, make sure right away that you can run it.”
    • “While this might not be the optimal setup, not everyone can afford one, and I've always favored accessibility over performance.”
    • “If you use a controller to play, beware because version 1.08 has zero optimization for controls.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The game offers high replayability, encouraging players to explore every route to fully understand its narrative and characters. Completing the common route unlocks additional choices, allowing for multiple endings and deeper engagement with the story.

    • “The game has a lot of replay value in that only by completing the common route first will you be able to go back and get more choices that will lead to other endings.”
    • “Replayability ∞: I recommend trying to go through every single route to see every aspect of the game and understand some situations way better than one could in a single route.”
  • stability1 mentions

    The current version (v1.10) is reported to be highly unstable and filled with bugs, leading users to recommend downgrading to the more stable v1.08.

    • “The current version as of now (v1.10) is also plain awful and buggy, so you're better off downgrading to v1.08.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

20hMedian play time
21hAverage play time
20-30hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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