Rituals in the Dark
- November 20, 2019
- ebi-hime
- 6h median play time
Get on Steam"Rituals in the Dark" is a narrative-driven game following Aspen Draper who, after finding her elderly neighbor's body, becomes obsessed with rumors of the neighbor's haunted house. When coerced by friends to break into the house, Aspen faces her fears and uncovers chilling secrets about her neighbor's past. The game delves into themes of guilt, grief, and the supernatural in a small seaside town.
Reviews
- Beautiful art and music that enhance the atmospheric experience of the story.
- Engaging characters and a well-constructed narrative that keeps players intrigued until the end.
- A unique blend of yuri romance and spooky elements, making for a captivating and enjoyable read.
- The story feels short and somewhat abrupt, leaving players wanting more resolution and character development.
- Some players found the writing quality lacking, with predictable outcomes and underdeveloped characters.
- The ending left many feeling confused and unsatisfied, as it did not resolve key plot points or mysteries.
- story61 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story of "Rituals in the Dark" is described as beautiful and atmospheric, blending elements of romance and mystery, though it suffers from predictability and pacing issues. While some players appreciated the character development and plot twists, others found the narrative scattered and lacking depth, with an abrupt ending that left them wanting more. Overall, it is a visually appealing visual novel that resonates with fans of yuri and atmospheric storytelling, despite its shortcomings in plot execution.
“Rituals in the Dark is a very good visual novel game with a beautiful story.”
“The story and setting are very interesting, the mood is well constructed and I was intrigued the whole way.”
“A solid story with wonderful character development, even if I think that it could be a bit longer and stretch out the resolve more.”
“No choices as stated, so it's basically a graphic novel whose story isn't properly fleshed out.”
“The story is all over the place, and the background story is too long and scattered.”
“The ending is very confusing and frustrating, as the main motivation for reading the story is finding out the truth, yet it is not delivered at all.”
- music18 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received a mixed response from users, with many praising its chill and atmospheric qualities that enhance the overall experience. While some found the soundtrack beautiful and fitting for the story, others described it as standard or lacking in surprises. Overall, the music contributes significantly to the game's mood, complementing the art and narrative effectively.
“Art is very pretty, and even more than that, I'm in love with the soundtrack!”
“I love the art style and music, both very fitting to the story and atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere (the writing, music, and art really come together to create a moody atmosphere of night and being lost in life).”
“What is lacking in surprises is the music.”
“The art is quite nice compared to many other games, and the soundtrack is rather standard.”
“Nice little game with some mid-quality artwork and music.”
- atmosphere13 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its astounding, mysterious, and romantic qualities, enhanced by gothic elements, rainy nights, and somber music. Reviewers highlight the immersive and moody ambiance that effectively combines writing, art, and sound, creating a gripping experience that evokes feelings of suspense and emotional depth. However, some note that while the atmosphere is captivating, the overall plot pacing and character development may not fully meet expectations.
“The atmosphere is astounding, mysterious, and romantic.”
“I loved the gothic atmosphere with rainy nights and somber music. I also liked that the art is slightly more mature and unique than most visual novels.”
“The atmosphere (the writing, music, and art really come together to create a moody atmosphere of night and being lost in life).”
“Really cute and heartfelt on the romance side with really good character writing and an incredibly fun spooky atmosphere that ends so disappointingly it just kind of leaves me with nothing.”
“A kinetic visual novel game, with entirely too much writing in the front, but a slightly horror-like atmosphere and an emotional kick towards the end.”
“Rituals have a lot to tell with its immersive atmosphere and setting that really gives lots of spooky vibes.”
- graphics11 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 18 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are generally praised for their unique art style and high quality, contributing to a visually appealing experience that complements the story's atmosphere. While some users noted that the visuals are consistent and well-crafted, others felt that the graphics alone could not compensate for shortcomings in the narrative. Overall, the artwork is highlighted as a strong point, enhancing the game's charm despite mixed feelings about the overall experience.
“Even more noticeable are visuals that were skillfully made by darksin and renmiou.”
“As with all of ebi-hime's visual novels, Rituals in the Dark has fantastic dialogue, interesting dynamics between characters, and high-quality character sprites/artwork.”
“I love the art style and music, both very fitting to the story and atmosphere.”
“Unless you like reading with graphics that remain the same, then this isn't for you.”
“I didn't enjoy this at all; the graphics are pretty, but the story scars it so much.”
“Even more noticeable are the visuals, which were skillfully made by darksin and renmiou.”
- emotional5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is polarizing; while some players appreciate the heartfelt romance and strong character writing, others feel let down by the unresolved story and themes of emotional abuse, which detract from the overall experience. The game’s spooky atmosphere adds depth, but the disappointing conclusion leaves many feeling unsatisfied.
“Really cute and heartfelt on the romance side with really good character writing and an incredibly fun spooky atmosphere that ends so disappointingly it just kind of leaves me with nothing.”
“A kinetic visual novel game, with entirely too much writing in the front, but a slightly horror-like atmosphere and an emotional kick towards the end.”
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The character development is well-executed and engaging, with strong writing that enhances the overall experience, though some character designs, such as Althea's, may not stand out as much.
“Well written (as usual), great character development, interesting art.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and disorganized, leading to a frustrating experience.
“This game is tedious and all over the place.”
“The grinding feels endless and lacks any real reward.”
“I spent hours doing the same tasks over and over, and it just became boring.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized as both funny and sweet, contributing to a charming and engaging short story experience.
“Funny and sweet, short story.”
