Raging Loop
- December 3, 2015
- KEMCO
- 16h median play time
Get on SteamImmerse yourself in a thrilling psychological horror visual novel taking place in the secluded Japanese village of Yasumizu. A heavy fog surrounds the village, preventing everyone from ever leaving. Ancient Gods have come back to hunt the villagers down one by one. The Feast has begun, can you escape the village alive?
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Reviews
- Engaging and intricate story that keeps players hooked with its twists and turns.
- Well-developed characters, particularly the protagonist, who is clever and relatable.
- Unique mechanics that blend the werewolf game concept with a time loop narrative.
- The ending is convoluted and disappointing, with excessive info dumps that detract from the overall experience.
- Some characters lack depth and development, making it hard to connect with them.
- The pacing slows significantly towards the end, leading to a less satisfying conclusion.
- story868 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of "Raging Loop" is a captivating blend of mystery, horror, and psychological elements, set in a rural village plagued by supernatural occurrences and a deadly werewolf game. While the initial narrative is engaging and filled with intriguing twists, many reviewers note that the latter part of the story suffers from pacing issues, excessive exposition, and unresolved plot holes, leading to a disappointing conclusion. Despite these criticisms, the game is praised for its rich character development, immersive atmosphere, and the unique "revelation mode" that enhances the storytelling experience.
“This game masterfully integrates elements of society, politics, religion, culture, and mythology into its storyline, creating a rich and immersive experience.”
“I am deeply impressed by how the writers have crafted such a compelling story, intertwining various themes with exceptional depth and nuance.”
“The story hooked me right from the start and only got me even more interested with time.”
“Or rather, I liked the idea but it was poorly executed and left several plot holes.”
“My only gripe is that the story is at its weakest in the last few hours of the game where a lot of information and names are dumped to conclude everything as fast as possible.”
“Unfortunately, I fell in the category of people who liked this game right up until the final story arc and then thought it just fell apart.”
- music124 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the atmosphere and set the mood, with many tracks being memorable and impactful. While some reviewers noted that the soundtrack is relatively small and can become repetitive, the overall quality and fitting nature of the music contribute significantly to the game's immersive experience. Many players found themselves captivated by the soundtrack, often stopping to enjoy it, and considered it a standout feature alongside the engaging story and characters.
“The story, tension, characters, and music are all absolutely phenomenal.”
“The music was fantastic; there were a few themes that really set the mood of the mystery, and I loved that.”
“There is so much I can praise about this game, such as the amazing, well-fitting soundtrack which greatly adds to the experience, the interesting concept which sucks you in, and the enticing mystery that keeps you enthralled the entire way through.”
“I don't have a ton to say about the art or music; they're all around pretty unremarkable, but definitely not bad, and they set the tone well.”
“The soundtrack does get old kinda quickly since it is a smaller soundtrack.”
“Soundtrack is a bit short, and there is a lot less unique artwork than one would expect in a visual novel of this length.”
- gameplay72 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 82 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Raging Loop" is primarily focused on its visual novel format, offering limited interactivity through branching narrative choices rather than traditional gameplay mechanics. While it features intriguing elements like a time loop and social deduction inspired by the "werewolf" game, players should expect a story-driven experience with minimal active gameplay. Despite some design flaws, the engaging narrative and rich content make it a worthwhile play for fans of visual novels and horror themes.
“It's a great mystery game, and I've never seen a looping mechanic done better, honestly.”
“The time loop, the 'werewolf' style game mechanics, and the deep mythological/folklore woven into the story were perfect for me!”
“Beyond that, the mechanics of the game are very well thought out, with plenty of extra content after you beat the game to satisfy you for many more hours yet.”
“Just be aware this is a visual novel to the core (0 gameplay beyond the odd dialogue choice, all reading).”
“It has no gameplay elements, no cutscenes, no animations (sometimes the characters blink, but they don't move their mouths).”
“The basic premise of the game is the board game werewolf, but it's a visual novel to the core so you are presented with limited options and the gameplay is just watching the outcome until you get the right ending.”
- graphics66 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some praising the unique and striking art style that complements the story's atmosphere, while others find it underwhelming or even ugly at times. Many players appreciate the beautiful artwork and well-sequenced visuals, though some express a desire for more graphic detail in certain scenes to enhance the horror elements. Overall, while the visuals may not be the strongest aspect of the game, they are generally considered serviceable and fitting for the narrative.
“A great story told immaculately with great characters and visuals.”
“The story is refreshing and complex, the visuals are beautiful, and the atmosphere and music are just right.”
“Raging Loop takes you in for a very thrilling ride with many twists and turns while taking place in a well-constructed setting reinforced by a strong soundtrack and artwork that match the tone of the game very well.”
“I also didn't enjoy some of the background and even character art; sometimes the artwork is purposefully creepy and ugly, and it works sometimes, but for others (Kanzo's yelling expression art) it genuinely looks bad.”
“Only bad thing was there weren't real visuals for graphic things.”
“The artwork is decent, though I feel like it's among the weaker aspects of the visual novel itself.”
- atmosphere62 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and intriguing qualities, enhanced by a compelling soundtrack and relatable characters. Reviewers highlight the tension and mystery that permeate the narrative, creating a captivating psychological experience, although some note a decline in atmospheric consistency in the latter half. Overall, the combination of music, visuals, and storytelling contributes to a rich and engaging atmosphere that draws players into its dark and complex world.
“It immersed me in an atmosphere thick with intrigue, populated by relatable and diverse characters, and punctuated by heart-wrenching route endings, with twists after twists.”
“The story is refreshing and complex, the visuals are beautiful, and the atmosphere and music are just right.”
“Heartfelt characters, unexpected plot twists, and a dark & mystical atmosphere make this game, where you slowly unravel the secrets of a remote village while trying to keep your sanity, an intriguing high-quality psychological horror experience.”
“While I thought the game hit its stride with building the atmosphere, tension, and introducing the mysteries, I thought the biggest flaw was the answers to those mysteries.”
“[spoiler] While I think that the plot point itself is good, the fact that the protagonist himself knows that he is looping early on destroys any tension and atmosphere the game tries to build up.”
“Would have been better to keep up the atmosphere from the first half and just bring it to a straightforward conclusion.”
- humor44 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game effectively blends dark humor with horror, creating a unique atmosphere where players can oscillate between laughter and tension. The protagonist, Haruaki, is particularly praised for his cleverness and charm, delivering numerous funny moments that lighten the otherwise heavy narrative. Overall, the humor is well-integrated into the story, enhancing character interactions and maintaining player engagement amidst the suspenseful and disturbing elements.
“It is a game that can make you feel hollow one moment and then chuckling like a maniac the next.”
“The story manages to be thrilling, humorous, and disturbing at the same time, all the while making you want to read on despite how awful the situation is.”
“Many of the conversations between the characters are either hilarious, tragic, thought-provoking, or just plain absurd - reminding me of the Zero Escape aspects in some areas.”
- emotional28 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its intricate plot, relatable characters, and impactful moments that evoke a range of feelings, from laughter to heartbreak. While some players found the narrative deeply engaging and reminiscent of other emotional visual novels, others felt that the ending lacked the emotional weight needed to leave a lasting impression. Overall, the game intertwines themes of death and moral dilemmas, creating a psychologically rich experience that resonates differently with each player.
“It immersed me in an atmosphere thick with intrigue, populated by relatable and diverse characters, and punctuated by heart-wrenching route endings, with twists after twists.”
“For a quick, spoiler-free review if you just want to see if it's worth your time: Raging Loop is an interesting and very emotional visual novel.”
“Heartfelt characters, unexpected plot twists, and a dark & mystical atmosphere make this game, where you slowly unravel the secrets of a remote village while trying to keep your sanity, an intriguing high-quality psychological horror experience.”
- character development22 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while some key characters, particularly the protagonist and main heroines, are well-developed and engaging, many supporting characters lack depth and are often sidelined. The visual novel excels in emphasizing relationships and character growth, making it stand out in its genre, though some players find the overall character design dated and inconsistent. Overall, the writing and character arcs are generally well-received, contributing positively to the game's intrigue and enjoyment.
“Raging Loop is a visual novel that emphasizes character development and relationships rather than the murders themselves, and I think that sets it apart from other games in this genre.”
“The story's quite intriguing and the character development is so well designed.”
“Complex story, feasible horror, deep character development (when even some old hag or rude brat becomes important for you, as you get to know them better).”
“The bad: the 1990s character design is old and dated.”
“Also, there is little to no character development, which is quite a huge disappointment for me.”
“All in all, I'd say I have thoughtfully enjoyed most of this visual novel; thus, I'm giving it a positive review because the overall presentation, quality of the writing, and character development is decent and the basic ideas are intriguing and well thought out.”
- grinding14 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is criticized for becoming tedious, particularly in the final loop, where the narrative is described as overly long and filled with confusing lore dumps. While some players appreciate the engaging characters and multiple endings, many feel that the latter part of the story detracts from the overall experience, making it a chore to get through. Despite the enjoyable mechanics for navigating the time loop, the repetitive nature of the final sections leaves a disappointing impression on players.
“However, the 4th loop (final loop) is tedious and full of boring occult stuff.”
“Therein lies Raging Loop's greatest sin: the back third of the narrative is tedious, confusing, and overly long.”
“Just aggressively tedious and poorly written.”
- optimization8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game's voice acting has received high praise, with users noting that the performances are surprisingly excellent despite the voice actors not being well-known. However, it is recommended that players keep the volume up to fully appreciate the emotional tone conveyed in the lines. Overall, the voice acting significantly enhances the gaming experience.
“I looked up voice actors and none were famous or anything, but it's one of the best voice acting performances I've ever heard.”
“I was completely surprised when I first heard this because you'd never think so based on their performances.”
“Instead, I'll highlight a few other things: the voice acting is quite good; everyone brings their A-game for their performances.”
- replayability6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The game boasts impressive replayability, featuring a clever "new game+" mode and additional content that encourages players to revisit the story. Many users appreciate the depth and thoughtfulness put into the replay experience, although some express concerns about the game's price affecting their recommendations. Overall, players find ample reasons to return, even after achieving near-completion.
“The game offers good replayability; without spoiling, it has some of the most clever replayability I've ever seen in a visual novel, including an interesting 'new game+' mode after the entire story is completed.”
“The extra content and new mode available after clearing the game also contribute to the replay value. The producers really poured their heart and soul into it. With that being said, the price in some areas might be a bit high, or I wouldn't have a hard time recommending others to buy it.”
“It has a lot of replay value, and the 18 hours I have in it is technically 95% completion, but you'll have reason to go back and reread the stories all over again.”
“The extra content and new mode available after clearing the game also contribute to the replay value, but the price in some areas might be a bit high, which makes it hard to recommend to others.”
