Roman's Christmas / 罗曼圣诞探案集

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Roman, the wolf-kind detective plans to spend his Christmas vacation in his favorite tavern, but a murder case happened in the tavern put him to work again.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

97%

Audience ScoreBased on 76 reviews

story13 positive mentions

atmosphere2 negative mentions

The game features a captivating story with well-developed characters and a cozy medieval setting, making it an engaging murder mystery experience.
The art and music are standout elements, with beautiful character portraits and a fantastic soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere.
Gameplay mechanics encourage critical thinking and deduction, rewarding players for their investigative skills and providing a satisfying sense of accomplishment.

The English translation is often unpolished, containing grammar errors and typos that can detract from the overall experience.
Some characters lack sufficient development and screen time, leading to a feeling of abruptness in their arcs and the overall narrative.
The game has a low difficulty progression, with the complexity of cases peaking early on, which may disappoint players seeking a more challenging detective experience.

story
26 mentions
50 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The game's story is praised for its captivating narrative, emotional depth, and strong character development, drawing comparisons to titles like Danganronpa while maintaining originality. While some reviewers noted structural issues and a lack of impactful choices, many found the plot engaging and the themes well-explored, making it a must-read for fans of visual novels. Overall, the combination of beautiful art and music enhances the storytelling experience, leaving players eager to uncover more about the characters and their backstories.
- “This game has quite an immersing story; while this may seem like the generic murder-at-a-tavern detective game, it still managed to stand out with its narration and the relationships between the characters, romance included.”
- “A riveting story, with beautiful art, and emotional music.”
- “All the characters had a great backstory and always made me want to learn more about them.”
- “It's tagged as LGBTQ+, but I wouldn't call it an LGBTQ story outside of a few characters.”
- “First of all, the story is not very well made and it was told badly: the structure is not well made, lack of tension build-up, etc. Second, some game mechanics are annoying.”
- “So anyway, because of the playing experience that I have, I can only tell you that with this price it's not so good, but since the producers have crowdfunding and even use their own money to make this game, it's totally another story.”
music
18 mentions
56 % positive mentions
28 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its beautiful and atmospheric qualities, enhancing the emotional depth of the narrative and gameplay. Many players appreciate the diverse character themes and catchy soundtrack, although some express dissatisfaction with certain sound effects included in the soundtrack. Overall, the music is considered an integral part of the experience, contributing significantly to the game's charm and immersion.
- “A must-play murder mystery game, with a cozy medieval setting and a beautiful soundtrack.”
- “The music, once you let it seep in, becomes an integral part of the atmosphere, echoing the subtle tension and the emotional highs and lows of the investigation.”
- “All characters also come with their own theme song when you talk to them, which adds a nice touch to everyone's personalities.”
- “Some of the sounds are put into the soundtrack, which I quite dislike, especially when you buy the soundtrack separately.”
- “No matter what happens, the music and especially sound effects seem to be out of place.”
- “The soundtrack should be seen as a bonus.”
gameplay
13 mentions
38 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
23 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by immersive mechanics that enhance the investigative experience, such as Roman's lupine abilities and various interactive elements like roulette and tarot. While some players find the mechanics entertaining and reminiscent of titles like Danganronpa, others feel they lack depth and that the storytelling could be improved. Overall, the gameplay is generally smooth and enjoyable, focusing on character interaction and clue discovery, despite some criticisms regarding complexity and narrative structure.
- “Roman's lupine strengths, like a keen sense of smell, are instrumental in the investigation, making the gameplay feel that much more immersive and authentic.”
- “I admire the cleverness behind the game's mechanics.”
- “Excellent gameplay with a fairly interesting plot.”
- “The game promotes the roulette, tarot, sniffing, etc. as gameplay mechanics, but in reality, it's nothing special at all; not that it really matters, you're here for interacting with characters, reading a story, searching for clues, and confronting people with evidence.”
- “First of all, the story is not very well made and it was told badly: the structure is not well made, lack of tension build-up, etc. Second, some game mechanics are annoying.”
- “- Some grammar issues confused me throughout the whole gameplay.”
graphics
6 mentions
50 % positive mentions
17 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
The game's graphics have received praise for their unique and captivating art style, with many players initially skeptical but ultimately growing to appreciate the visual presentation. The sprite artwork has notably changed, showcasing the talent of the artists involved and contributing to a diverse aesthetic experience. Overall, the graphics are considered beautiful and enhance the game's storytelling.
- “The artists who worked on this game have my biggest respect; the art style is one of a kind.”
- “Captivating story and beautiful graphics.”
- “Overall, I recommend it; great art style.”
- “Important to note is that it seems like the game changed the sprite artwork.”
- “At first, I wasn't the biggest fan of the art style, but as I started playing, I fell in love with it.”
emotional
5 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its evocative music, which enhances the atmosphere and reflects the narrative's tension and emotional depth. Players find the story both touching and impactful, with a preference for its darker elements, while praising the beautiful art that complements the overall emotional experience.
- “The music, once you let it seep in, becomes an integral part of the atmosphere, echoing the subtle tension and the emotional highs and lows of the investigation.”
- “In terms of emotional impact, Roman's Christmas doesn't shy away from pulling at your heartstrings.”
- “A riveting story, with beautiful art, and emotional music.”
humor
4 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by witty dialogue and amusing interactions with characters, though it lacks significant story-altering choices. While some comedic moments are entertaining, particularly the villains' downfall, they may not provide deeper character insights, which some players find either bothersome or hilariously enjoyable.
- “Characters are fun to interact with; there are some really good funny bits.”
- “You may find this bothersome, but I find it quite hilarious and enjoyable.”
- “There aren't too many story-influencing choices, mainly to get funny dialogue quips, but there is one great choice you can make at the end that makes you think: if someone's going to be killed because you find out the truth, and the truth really won't change anything in the end, is it really worth getting that justice?”
atmosphere
2 mentions
50 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is significantly enhanced by the soundtrack, which effectively captures the subtle tension and emotional nuances of the investigation, becoming an integral part of the overall experience.
- “The soundtrack fits the atmosphere perfectly.”
- “The music, once you let it seep in, becomes an integral part of the atmosphere, echoing the subtle tension and the emotional highs and lows of the investigation.”
- “The soundtrack fits the atmosphere.”
replayability
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game offers solid replayability due to its engaging characters, intriguing mysteries, and memorable settings and stories, making it a worthwhile experience despite some imperfections.
- “It's not perfect, but the characters are good, the mysteries are solid, the setting and stories are memorable, and it's surprisingly replayable for this type of game.”