Red Spider2: Exiled
- December 9, 2016
- studio wasp
Get on Steam"Red Spider2" is a Hong Kong Noir-themed Visual Novel. There are 6 story routes with the different characters(approximately 200,000 words in total).
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The story is masterfully built, with engaging characters and multiple routes that enhance replayability.
- The game features a good soundtrack, with both public domain tracks and original compositions that fit the narrative well.
- As a free game, it offers a quality experience that rivals many commercial titles, making it accessible to a wide audience.
- The game suffers from noticeable typos and grammatical errors that can detract from the overall experience.
- Some players may find the romance aspect off-putting, especially if they were expecting a different focus in the narrative.
- The graphics and gameplay are not particularly impressive, as it primarily functions as a visual novel with limited interactivity.
- story16 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The story of "Red Spider 2" is intricately crafted, focusing on the protagonist Lily's struggle against a death squad after a pivotal act of violence, with character-driven narratives that enhance emotional investment. As a prequel, it effectively deepens the lore of its predecessor without creating disconnections, while the intertwining subplots and character arcs keep players engaged and eager for more. Overall, the narrative's strength lies in its ability to balance fate and choice, making it a compelling visual novel experience.
“I am amazed at how masterfully the story is built that no matter the choices, some things are 'fated to happen.'”
“The story is so good that I could not wait to read more after each session.”
“Instead of placing more importance on the plot and overall events, the game relies on its characters (who are impressively easy to get emotionally invested in, considering the short length of each route) to move the plot forward, which makes sense since this is Lily's story and the player wouldn’t care about the story if they didn’t care about the characters first.”
“Often, prequels don’t build on the story they’re preceding very well and there’s an odd disconnect, or they might even ruin the previous stories retroactively, but Red Spider 2 thankfully avoids this by showing how characters from the original Red Spider got to where they are (although this is sometimes indirect, as with Shawn and Luk, who are not referenced by their original names).”
“It's a visual novel, so the game lives and dies based on its story, so that’s what this review will focus on.”
- music5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The game's music is well-received, featuring a mix of public domain tracks that complement the narrative and original compositions by notable composers Yasunori Shiono and Yukio Nakajima. While much of the soundtrack resembles that of the first installment, it effectively enhances the overall experience. Additionally, a trivia mode offers insights into the musical inspirations behind the game.
“The music is also very good, although it's almost exactly the same as the first part.”
“Speaking of the game’s music, most of the soundtrack consists of public domain tracks, which fit the tone of the story well. However, there’s also quite a bit of original music composed by Yasunori Shiono, the main composer of the Lufia series, and Yukio Nakajima, the composer for Energy Breaker and Puzzles & Dragons.”
“Speaking of the game’s music, most of the soundtrack consists of public domain tracks (which are fine and fit the tone of the story well), but there’s also quite a bit of original music, composed by Yasunori Shiono (the main composer of the Lufia series, and also a former co-worker of Motoi Sakuraba) and Yukio Nakajima (the composer for Energy Breaker and Puzzles & Dragons).”
“There is also a trivia mode that explains the inspiration for certain aspects of the narrative and a sound test mode to listen to the music.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is described as straightforward and unremarkable, lacking any standout features or innovations.
- graphics1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received praise for their stunning visuals and attention to detail, creating an immersive experience. However, some users noted occasional performance issues that detracted from the overall aesthetic. Overall, the game's art style and design elements are considered a highlight, contributing significantly to its appeal.
- grinding1 mentions
- 200 % positive mentions
- -400 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players indicate that grinding in the game can be quite demanding, often requiring significant time investment or multiple attempts to progress effectively.
“Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
“The grind is satisfying and offers a real sense of progression.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
“I spent hours grinding, and it felt like I was getting nowhere.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game effectively prioritizes character development over plot, allowing players to form strong emotional connections despite the brevity of each route. This focus on relatable characters enhances the overall narrative, making players genuinely invested in Lily's story.
“Instead of placing more importance on the plot and overall events, the game relies on its characters (who are impressively easy to get emotionally invested in, considering the short length of each route) to move the plot forward. This makes sense since this is Lily's story, and the player wouldn’t care about the story if they didn’t care about the characters first.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -300 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Red Spider 2: Exiled is praised for its monetization model, being completely free with no microtransactions, making it a worthwhile experience for players, especially those who enjoyed the original game.
“Red Spider 2: Exiled is free (as in, there are no microtransactions) and it’s not a waste of your time. I’d recommend at least the first route if you’ve played the original Red Spider, and the other routes as well if you end up liking the first.”
“The monetization model is frustratingly aggressive, pushing players to spend money to enjoy the game fully.”
“It's disappointing to see that essential features are locked behind paywalls, making it feel like a cash grab.”
“The constant prompts to purchase in-game currency detract from the overall experience and immersion.”
