Rainswept

Rainswept has an interesting plot, well-written characters and a distinctive visual style, although a few bugs and overly simplistic gameplay do let it down a bit.

81%Game Brain Score

story, graphics

stability, replayability

86% User Score Based on 414 reviews

Critic Score 67%Based on 3 reviews

Platforms

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About

"Rainswept" is a narrative-driven detective game where players assume the role of Detective Michael Stone, investigating a suspicious double homicide in a small town. By examining the victims' past and interviewing locals, players uncover the truth behind the couple's relationship while also confronting Stone's own haunting past. The game also features a secondary storyline that allows players to experience key moments in the victims' relationship. Through exploring the town and interacting with characters, players piece together the story behind the tragic event.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

+14

86%

Audience ScoreBased on 417 reviews

story195 positive mentions

stability28 negative mentions

The story is engaging and emotionally impactful, tackling heavy themes such as mental health, trauma, and relationships.
The art style and atmospheric music create a captivating experience that enhances the narrative.
The characters are well-developed, with their own backstories and depth, making the player care about their fates.

The gameplay is simplistic and lacks meaningful puzzles, making it feel more like a visual novel than a traditional adventure game.
There are technical issues, including bugs and clunky animations, which can detract from the overall experience.
The pacing can feel slow at times, with long stretches of dialogue that may not hold the player's interest.

story
611 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
66%
2%
The story of "Rainswept" is a poignant and emotionally charged narrative centered around a murder mystery, exploring heavy themes such as loss, mental health, and interpersonal relationships. While the game excels in character development and storytelling, it is criticized for its linearity and minimal gameplay mechanics, which may leave some players wanting more engagement. Overall, it offers a compelling experience for those who appreciate narrative-driven games, despite some pacing issues and a somewhat rushed conclusion.
- “What I think made me really enjoy the experience was the many little subplots you can find in the town; most did not affect the story at all, but seeing how you can affect their little story and seeing how their story went throughout the days felt very cozy and felt like something that only a video game as a medium can do.”
- “The story is amazing, though, and I genuinely feel that it changed how I view the world.”
- “Rainswept delivers an authentic, interpersonal, and emotional story which touches on various serious themes whilst maintaining a light-hearted approach where necessary.”
- “Unfortunately, I was left rather unmoved by the story, both as a character drama and a mystery.”
- “The biggest problem of the game is the main storyline, because the plot of a tortured detective beating himself up over the death of his wife is rather cliché.”
- “The story got so stretched that the ending felt very fast and I didn't really understand it completely.”
graphics
171 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
57%
4%
The graphics of Rainswept evoke mixed reactions, with many praising its unique minimalist art style and atmospheric visuals that enhance the storytelling. However, some users noted significant graphical glitches and rough animations, particularly during complex scenes, which detracted from the overall experience. Despite these shortcomings, the game's aesthetic charm and emotional depth resonate well with players, creating a captivating atmosphere.
- “The atmosphere and the graphical style are kind of beautiful at times, and its gorgeous color palette and picturesque scenery are emphasized by fitting music that doesn't overwhelm you while playing.”
- “Everything looks beautiful, and the combination of the writing, visuals, and music brings the best that the game has to offer.”
- “Rainswept has beautiful graphics, an exceptional soundtrack, a poignant story, and an interesting mystery.”
- “The visuals are bad, outright horrible in some aspects.”
- “Rainswept suffers from quite a few graphical glitches that, while not game-breaking or detrimental, were distracting.”
- “Overall this game feels pretty rough around the edges when it comes to the UI and both the visuals and sound design.”
music
160 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
43%
2%
The music in the game has been widely praised for its atmospheric and emotional depth, effectively complementing the visuals and narrative. Many players noted that the soundtrack, composed by micamic, enhances the overall experience, creating a captivating ambiance that draws players into the story. While some felt there were moments of silence that disrupted the flow, the majority found the music to be a standout feature, elevating the game's artistic and storytelling elements.
- “The music creates an atmosphere that entrances you fully and you'll find yourself staring at the wonderful visuals like paintings at a museum.”
- “The musical score by micamic is something absolutely unforgettable, it perfectly fits the game’s atmosphere, its gloomy mood and dramatic condition of the main character.”
- “The music is absolutely perfect for a game of this style, and you know a story is excellent when you feel sad to say goodbye to the world and its characters.”
- “The music was well done but there were a few stretches when the game was in total silence and they felt out of place as the rest of the game has at least some ambient noise to it.”
- “Everything from the OST to visuals will pull you down; nothing is set in stone.”
- “While the silent text helps the soundtrack shine through, I spent the whole time thinking this could have been amazing with audio dialogue.”
atmosphere
104 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
69%
28%
3%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its emotional depth, immersive storytelling, and captivating visuals, often enhanced by a fitting soundtrack that complements the setting. Players appreciate the cozy, small-town vibe and the unique artistic style, despite some graphical limitations during animations. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as unforgettable, drawing players into its rich narrative and emotional experiences.
- “The dream sequences gave the atmospheric vibes of night in the woods, yet it manages to establish its own unique aesthetic.”
- “The atmosphere and the graphical style is kind of beautiful at times, and its gorgeous color palette and picturesque scenery is emphasized by fitting music that doesn't overwhelm you while playing.”
- “The musical score by micamic is something absolutely unforgettable, it perfectly fits the game’s atmosphere, its gloomy mood and dramatic condition of the main character.”
- “The only issues were some minor video glitches here and there and the quality of animations throughout the game (which is subpar and could even be funny but that exactly what could hamper the game’s tragic atmosphere).”
- “I was absolutely amazed by all these landscapes and how they managed to convey the atmosphere of the bright and colorful little town when it’s a sunny day and how it becomes pretty dull and grim when it’s raining.”
- “There's just one condition you gotta tick off to like this game -------> you gotta love reading and get into the game atmosphere.”
gameplay
86 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
78%
8%
The gameplay in Rainswept is largely criticized for being simplistic and lacking depth, primarily consisting of walking, talking, and minimal puzzle-solving, akin to a walking simulator. While the narrative is engaging and emotionally resonant, many players feel that the gameplay mechanics are underdeveloped and do not significantly impact the story. Overall, the game prioritizes storytelling over interactive gameplay, which may appeal to those who value narrative but disappoints players seeking a more dynamic gaming experience.
- “The gameplay consists mostly of uncovering the story by talking to every town inhabitant and playing through the detective's nightmares or some of the dead couple's past events.”
- “It follows the formula 'story over gameplay' and it perfectly works in this game as the player is excited to know the outcome of the story and find out what happened in this peaceful town.”
- “Rainswept is a murder mystery game set in the small town of Pineview, with very simple mechanics and incredibly light puzzle solving. It doesn't tell the most involved story, but I enjoyed my time with it.”
- “The gameplay is mostly walking back-and-forth and talking to people while piecing together a story behind an unfortunate couple and their deaths.”
- “Almost nothing to the gameplay, it’s a few steps above that of a walking sim but that’s it.”
- “There isn't much gameplay, I don't believe my choices impacted anything and the puzzles were non-existent, but I wanted to keep going to uncover the truth and follow the stories of Chris, Diane, and Stone.”
emotional
75 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with many players noting its deep exploration of troubled characters and heavy themes, often leading to a profound emotional experience that can evoke tears. The narrative is described as heartfelt and touching, effectively addressing serious topics like relationships and mental health while maintaining an engaging atmosphere. Despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics and visuals, the overall sentiment is that the game offers a meaningful and immersive emotional journey that resonates long after completion.
- “What started off as a murder mystery took me through an emotional and deep exploration of the lives of troubled characters and left me weeping.”
- “Rainswept delivers an authentic, interpersonal, and emotional story which touches on various serious themes whilst maintaining a light-hearted approach where necessary.”
- “A powerful and moving detective game, with a charming art style, great dialogue, and an emotional story to boot.”
stability
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game Rainswept is noted for its stability issues, including various graphical glitches and animation problems that can be distracting but are generally not game-breaking. While players report minor bugs and some frustrating design choices, many feel that the engaging story compensates for these technical shortcomings. Overall, the game could benefit from additional polish, but it remains playable despite its flaws.
- “You can finish it in one sitting, but be ready for some bugs and glitches.”
- “Rainswept suffers from quite a few graphical glitches that, while not game breaking or detrimental, were distracting.”
- “Choose for story, not the shoddy and buggy gameplay.”
humor
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features chuckle-worthy humor, with lovable characters and heartwarming stories that provide moments of levity amidst a serious narrative. However, the awkward and subpar animations can unintentionally detract from the game's tone, leading to laughter that feels out of place in a more tragic context. Overall, while the humor is enjoyable, it sometimes clashes with the game's intended atmosphere.
- “The characters are lovable, and I enjoyed learning their stories; grandpa made me laugh, and Chris and Diane's story warmed my heart.”
- “There's too much running from place to place, which only highlights the hilariously awkward animation.”
- “Interesting, but you can't help laughing at the character animations.”
character development
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
50%
21%
Character development in the game is generally praised for its emotional depth and meaningful progression, with some reviewers noting strong twists and turns that enhance the narrative. However, there are criticisms regarding certain aspects feeling rushed, which may detract from the overall experience. The minimalist art style is seen as effective, complementing the character development and contributing to the game's unique atmosphere.
- “The character development is strong, the art style is very appealing, and the story is a twist and turn of unexpected events.”
- “It has some decent twists and turns and good character development.”
- “Various instances in storytelling and character development feel rushed.”
- “I didn't like the art style much, especially the character design.”
- “Not that the hands-free feeling should matter, because you’re in for much emotional investment and meaningful character development down this road.”
replayability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
38%
The game offers limited replayability, primarily due to its nature as an interactive visual novel focused on character development and emotional storytelling. Players can experience at least one alternate ending and minor variations in outcomes, but the overall incentive to replay is minimal, mainly serving as a chance to revisit and appreciate details missed during the initial playthrough.
- “In any case, don't expect a lot of replay value here--it's essentially an interactive visual novel, focusing a lot on character backstory and emotions.”
- “The game can be replayed to obtain at least one alternate ending and some very minor changes to the outcome, but I’d say there is almost no replay value in Rainswept, other than revisiting the story in hindsight, savoring the details you probably missed in your first playthrough.”
- “While there isn’t that much replayability, there are 2 different endings, along with 2 different outcomes for Officer Blunt, and you can see how others react to some of the dialogue choices.”
grinding
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat excessive at times, though it does not seem to be tied to any specific achievements. Overall, the consensus is that while grinding is present, it may not significantly detract from the overall experience.
- “It can be a bit grindy sometimes, but it adds to the overall experience.”
- “The grinding aspect can feel a bit repetitive, yet it keeps me engaged.”
- “While it can be a bit grindy, I appreciate the sense of progression it offers.”
- “It's a bit grindy sometimes.”
- “The game feels a bit grindy.”
- “Grindy achievements? No, thanks.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game "Rainswept" has been criticized for its optimization, as players report lag and stuttering, particularly on lower-end systems. Many users express hope for future improvements, noting that a decent GPU is necessary for a smoother experience.
- “I didn't expect the game to be laggy on my computer (which, to be fair, cannot run any of the latest modern triple-A titles). I still hope that the game can be optimized better.”
- “Unlike many adventures, Rainswept needs a decent GPU to run without stuttering.”

67%Critics’ scoreBased on 3 critic reviews

Buy Rainswept

5h Median play time

5h Average play time

4-5h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs

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