Red Embrace: Hollywood

About

"Red Embrace: Hollywood" is a single-player game set in 199

Genres & Tags

Indie

Play Modes

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

83%

Audience ScoreBased on 188 reviews

story57 positive mentions

grinding2 negative mentions

The game features high-quality writing, engaging characters, and a captivating dark atmosphere that draws players in.
The art and music are beautifully crafted, enhancing the overall experience and immersion in the vampire world.
The game offers a unique take on romance, focusing on complex relationships and character development rather than traditional happy endings.

Many players are disappointed by the lack of happy endings, feeling that the game is overly bleak and unsatisfying.
The choices made throughout the game often feel inconsequential, leading to a sense of frustration as players navigate through multiple routes.
Some players find the sexual content and themes of consent troubling, feeling that it detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.

story
180 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
66%
2%
The story of this game is a complex and gritty exploration of vampire politics, identity, and emotional turmoil, often leaving players with a sense of existential dread rather than traditional happy endings. While the narrative is rich and engaging, it can be emotionally taxing, with many players noting its heavy themes and the impact of their choices on the story's outcome. Overall, it is recommended for those seeking a thought-provoking experience rather than a light-hearted romance, as it delves into darker, more philosophical territory.
- “The story is rich, the characters are well-written, and the 'normal endings' I could enjoy for their uncertainty, but...”
- “This isn't a story for those who want stereotypical, in-your-face mushy happy endings - this is a beautifully crafted masterpiece with characters that have depth and soul.”
- “I admire the dedication to write so many endings and so many branches in this story, because by the end it does feel like your decisions actually matter, and that is very important.”
- “I think this game is good for a one-time playthrough, and that is if you're alright with a heavy story that does kind of make you feel a little shitty at times.”
- “While certain events do differ and change depending on who you choose as your mentor and what house you are in, the main plot and structure of said plot remains largely the same all across the board: meaning you will see the same scenes, in the same order, a lot; 15 times minimum if you are going after all the endings.”
- “However, I get why some people may not like how the story - and the relationships - unfold.”
music
77 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
44%
4%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its atmospheric quality and ability to enhance the overall experience, with many players noting that it perfectly complements the storytelling and art style. Reviewers highlighted specific tracks and soundscapes that evoke strong emotions and memories associated with the characters and settings. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's immersive vibe and aesthetic.
- “The music grounded the experience and with it my engagement in the story.”
- “The music accentuated the setting and many pieces became associated with characters quickly for me.”
- “Writing completely aside, the art is invariably gorgeous and the music sets the atmosphere perfectly; the degree of passion that went into the game is almost physically palpable.”
- “The art, music, and fluff are the only things keeping this game standing for me.”
- “And it's even worse because this was one of the games that I looked forward to the most this year, because the writing, the music, the art, and the aesthetic are truly excellent, but none of that seems to matter in a game where the story delivers everyone to their doom, no matter what one chooses - it renders any kind of choice ineffective, and in turn, defeats the entire purpose of a choose-your-own-adventure game that is a visual novel.”
- “That the soundtrack for this game is not available for purchase should really be considered a crime.”
emotional
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is described as deeply impactful, often eliciting intense feelings of sadness, discomfort, and heartache, with players experiencing a range of emotions from laughter to tears. Many reviewers appreciate the game's exploration of dark themes and complex character traumas, noting that it avoids simplistic resolutions and instead presents a harsh yet relatable reality. While some found the emotional weight overwhelming, others praised the narrative's depth and the authenticity of the characters' struggles, making it a memorable experience despite its challenges.
- “Haven't played/read/seen anything that has made me feel like this game has in a long while.”
- “This game depicts a 'harsh reality' that I ended up falling for, even if it ripped my heart from my chest a few times or made me feel uncomfortable to the point I felt sick or left me feeling broken with tears in my eyes.”
- “I went through so many feelings; I don't recall the last game that made me feel so much.”
graphics
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
39%
8%
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their beauty and artistic style, contributing significantly to the overall atmosphere and aesthetic experience. Many reviewers highlighted the character design and customization options, noting that the visuals enhance the storytelling, despite some criticisms regarding character proportions and the use of a common base for designs. Overall, the artwork and music are considered standout features that elevate the game's appeal, even if the narrative choices may feel limited.
- “The graphics in this game are beautiful.”
- “The artwork is gorgeous.”
- “What I love about this game the most, however, is its overall aesthetics.”
- “The art style used for the characters doesn't particularly fit my taste, but it's not bad, even though in some scenes the proportions looked wrong or warped.”
- “This is Ren'Py, not even a real graphics engine, so there is no excuse besides utter laziness not to have two different models for two different genders.”
- “Don't let the art style fool you, this game is very far from being a bisexual, emo romance soap opera.”
atmosphere
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
28%
12%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its dark, moody, and melancholic qualities, enhanced by stunning artwork and a captivating soundtrack. Reviewers appreciate the blend of thrilling and angsty elements, with some noting the effective use of dark humor amidst the bleakness. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as immersive and compelling, drawing strong comparisons to classic gothic themes and vampire lore.
- “The atmosphere was absolutely amazing and the story leading up to the endings was compelling.”
- “The dark and unsettling atmosphere in-game may remind many fans of the beloved Bloodlines 1, because the developers took inspiration from the World of Darkness lore.”
- “On a side note, the artwork in re: Hollywood is beautiful, the music is fantastic, and it is overall well-written; all of those factors contribute to its doom & gloom atmosphere without feeling cheesy or overdone, at least in my personal opinion, and I do recommend it wholeheartedly.”
- “I understand the game has a dreary atmosphere; however, it made me feel awful for even wanting to deepen the relationship with them physically.”
- “I get that the atmosphere and theme are meant to be dark, gothic, and brooding, but there aren't even bittersweet endings to be found here; they're all just bitter.”
- “The dark and unsettling atmosphere in-game may remind many VtMB fans of the beloved Bloodlines 1, because the devs took inspiration from the WoD lore.”
humor
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as a mix of dark and witty, often eliciting genuine laughter through clever dialogue and character interactions, particularly from the character Markus. While the game explores bleak themes, it balances this with moments of tenderness and absurdity, making the experience both funny and thought-provoking. Overall, the humor resonates well with players who appreciate its unique blend of decadence and irony, though it may not appeal to everyone.
- “I love this everlasting decadence, the hedonism - everyone just seeks to satiate their own desires - which is quite funny considering vampires are limited to only a few pleasures... ;)”
- “It's genuinely funny and tender at times, even though horrible things happen.”
- “The atmosphere in this game is thrilling, angsty, witty, and I found myself laughing at a lot of dialogue despite the bleak atmosphere.”
gameplay
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
Gameplay in this title is polarizing; while some players appreciate the depth of choice and the impact of decisions on multiple endings, others criticize the lack of clarity in gameplay mechanics and the repetitive nature of playthroughs. Many found the experience frustrating due to archaic reputation systems leading to unsatisfactory outcomes, while others enjoyed the artistic elements and overall production value despite the challenging gameplay. The menu options are user-friendly, allowing for easy navigation and minimal technical issues.
- “Furthermore, with more hours of gameplay, you gradually begin to see how the endings you achieve are actually a response to the accumulation of your choices.”
- “Despite all the warnings, reviews, etc., I am very happy with the gameplay I experienced. It's worth it if you don't mind non-mind-blowing and direct happy endings, as well as sensitive themes. Worth every penny for the art, music, and production.”
- “The main menu with all options is easily located at the top or bottom of the dialogue box during gameplay, giving you very quick access to saving, reloading, or dialogue backlog.”
- “After several hours of gameplay, I was left with nothing.”
- “Some people can still enjoy this, but sitting for 20+ hours of gameplay and just watching bad endings after bad endings with no choice for something remotely better, never really 'romancing' anyone, because at the end of the day, they all leave...”
- “The reputation mechanics are so archaic that your first three to five playthroughs will probably end with you getting shot in the face, and the next three will end with you getting abandoned by those closest to you and stuck with some dude you didn't even talk to for 2/3rds of the game.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The game boasts high replayability due to its expertly crafted characters and extensive story branching, allowing players to customize their main character and experience different outcomes based on their choices. With 15 endings and numerous unlockable content, including secret scenes, players are encouraged to explore various playstyles, making each playthrough feel unique and rewarding.
- “The characters are expertly crafted, and customizing your main character is so unique that you can become anyone you want to be and play the game any way you want. The replayability is 100 percent worth it!”
- “There's a significant amount of story branching, making it great for replayability.”
- “Your character can act very differently, and there is insane replay value with new scenes to discover based on how your personality develops.”
- “The characters are expertly crafted, customizing your main character is so unique that you can become anyone you want to be and play the game any way you want, but the replayability feels limited after the first playthrough.”
- “Once you've completed the game, there isn't much incentive to go back. The story doesn't change significantly, making replayability a bit of a chore.”
- “While the initial experience is enjoyable, the lack of meaningful choices and consequences means that replaying the game feels more like a slog than an adventure.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, often exacerbated by the cumbersome text box movement and the need to navigate through multiple dialogue branches, even with the availability of a skip function.
- “This is of course where the skip function comes into play, but even that can be a tad tedious with how the text box occasionally moves across the screen and the lists of dialogue branches you have to click through when you speak to certain characters.”
- “Tedious, repetitive work.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
150%
Reviewers appreciate the thoughtful character development, noting that it enhances the realism of interactions. Additionally, improvements in artwork and character design contribute positively to the overall experience.
- “I felt a lot of thought went into the character development, which is what you want if you want your interactions with the characters to feel real.”
- “The artwork for the backgrounds and overall character design has improved, so good job, Argent Games.”
- “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with anyone in the game.”
- “I was disappointed by the lack of meaningful growth for the characters; they felt static throughout the story.”
- “The characters seemed one-dimensional, and their development was predictable and uninspired.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn mixed reactions, with some players feeling emotionally impacted by the game's themes and advertising, while others appreciate the depth and brilliance of the story and characters. Despite the emotional toll, players express satisfaction with the experience, indicating that the game's narrative complexity may overshadow any negative feelings about monetization.
- “The monetization in this game feels exploitative, with constant prompts to spend money on features that should be accessible through gameplay.”
- “I can't believe how much they charge for basic content. It feels like the game is designed to squeeze every penny out of players instead of providing a fair experience.”
- “The in-game purchases are overwhelming and take away from the enjoyment of the game. It feels like you can't progress without spending real money.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The optimization of this visual novel is nearly perfect, with users reporting an almost flawless performance.
- “The performance of this visual novel is almost flawless.”