Saya no Uta
- August 12, 2019
- Nitroplus
- 5h median play time
Get on Steam"Saya no Uta" is a horror-themed visual novel centered around Sakisaka Fuminori, who survives a gruesome accident only to be trapped in a nightmarish reality. He encounters a mysterious girl named Saya, and their relationship sets off a chain of disturbing events, infecting the world with his madness. This remastered edition features enhanced graphics, improved translation, and better system compatibility. The game is known for its compelling narrative, beautiful artwork, and haunting soundtrack.
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Reviews
- The story is incredibly intriguing and hooks you from the very start with disturbing imagery.
- All three endings are beautifully written and have a lot to offer.
- The soundtrack is amazing and enhances the overall atmosphere of the game.
- The game is heavily censored on Steam, and many important scenes are missing.
- The themes of pedophilia and sexual violence are uncomfortable and may not be suitable for all players.
- The character development feels lacking, and the main character's actions can be hard to empathize with.
- story1,406 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of "Saya no Uta" is a deeply unsettling yet captivating narrative that intertwines themes of love, madness, and horror, often leaving players grappling with its disturbing content. While the writing is praised for its depth and emotional impact, the graphic depictions of violence and sexual themes have sparked significant controversy, making it a polarizing experience. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke strong emotions and provoke thought, but caution that it is not for the faint of heart due to its explicit and often grotesque subject matter.
“It hooks you from the very start with disturbing imagery that helps set up the story from the get-go, and keeps you there with the fascinating story, art, and amazing soundtrack.”
“Extremely well written story that gives a lot of depth.”
“The story is actually pretty engaging and epic (especially towards the end).”
“The gameplay style is very dated, the dialogue isn't creative and it relies on cheap shock value for story progression (genuinely only one horror moment was well executed).”
“I will say that the story and visuals rely on shock value a lot.”
“The story feels incomplete and boring, especially towards the end.”
- music502 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in "The Song of Saya" is widely praised for its haunting and atmospheric qualities, effectively enhancing the game's unsettling narrative and emotional depth. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, with tracks that evoke a range of feelings from dread to beauty, making it an integral part of the overall experience. Many recommend listening to the soundtrack even independently, as it leaves a lasting impression long after playing.
“The soundtrack has been haunting my mind ever since.”
“The music fits well and the voice acting is nice.”
“The atmosphere is great, coupled with a fantastic soundtrack that elevated each scene.”
“The visuals were dated, the soundtrack was limited and slightly repetitive, and the UI wasn't to my taste (the textbox covers most of the screen rather than running across the bottom, obscuring most of the visuals).”
“For around 3 hours you just see some gross meat walls, monsters etc., while unsettling music (which gave me nausea at some point) plays in the background.”
“The accompanying horrific sounds and soundtracks only served to enhance the overall experience, creating an immersive sense of horror that is unmatched.”
- graphics212 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Saya no Uta" are widely praised for their unique and disturbing art style, effectively conveying the game's unsettling horror atmosphere. While some players appreciate the stunning visuals and atmospheric soundtrack, others criticize the dated aesthetics and graphic content, which can be jarring and uncomfortable. Overall, the visuals are integral to the storytelling, though they may not appeal to everyone due to their graphic nature and reliance on shock value.
“The music and CG artwork is very atmospheric, further immersing you in the world of the visual novel.”
“In my opinion, one of the most visually distinct and essential visuals ever produced, beautifully showing an example of just how extreme the medium can be used for storytelling.”
“The visuals, dear god, nothing can compare to those gut-wrenchingly gorgeous flesh-filled scenes.”
“The visuals were dated, the soundtrack was limited and slightly repetitive, and the UI wasn't to my taste (the textbox covers most of the screen rather than running across the bottom, obscuring most of the visuals).”
“Anyone buying this game needs to be hardened to gore and even then the visuals are still jarring.”
“Just a warning for anyone interested in this game, the content is very graphic and a lot of it is gross to say the least.”
- emotional154 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is described as a complex and intense experience, blending wholesome moments with deeply disturbing themes. Players report feeling a wide range of emotions, from joy and warmth to disgust and heartbreak, often resulting in tears and lasting emotional scars. The narrative's ability to evoke such strong reactions, despite its grotesque elements, highlights its unique impact on players, making it both a touching love story and a harrowing psychological journey.
“10/10 made me cry”
“I got every ending, and each ending provided a closure that made me feel super empty after finishing them in the best way possible.”
“Even long after I've finished it, my mind keeps jumping back to it, the story's questionable yet understandable ethics, the haunting compositions of the masterful soundtrack, the few genuine moments of the story where my blood genuinely ran cold... as disgusting as the subject matter was, the story was haunting, touching and in a bizarre way, beautiful.”
- atmosphere94 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and chilling qualities, enhanced by a haunting soundtrack and striking visuals that effectively convey a sense of horror and unease. Reviewers note that the combination of eerie sound design, compelling voice acting, and detailed artwork creates a deeply engaging experience, though some express concern that the narrative focus on certain themes may detract from the overall impact. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to its emotional and psychological depth.
“The atmosphere alone makes it a 10/10.”
“The atmosphere is great, coupled with a fantastic soundtrack that elevated each scene.”
“The game masterfully blends eerie sounds and visuals to create a chilling atmosphere that gripped me from the outset.”
“In reality, most of that atmosphere will be lost after revealing the real interest and intentions behind this kind of storytelling.”
“The game swaps between multiple character perspectives, which really helps add to the unsettling atmosphere.”
“The horror's there, the mystery's there, the atmosphere weighs down on you like a sack of bricks.”
- gameplay30 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 80 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay is largely criticized for being outdated and lacking depth, with minimal mechanics beyond simple choice-making that affects the story's outcome. While some players appreciate the captivating narrative and voiced dialogues, many feel that the gameplay experience is limited and does not engage players meaningfully. Overall, it is described as more of a visual novel with very little interactive gameplay.
“I only just got the game today, and have just under two hours of gameplay so far, but the story for this is really captivating!”
“The story is recounted so the reader can perceive the exact emotions and live through the same situations of the characters during the gameplay.”
“Explore eight action-packed levels with a punchy combat system, and the most immersive RPG mechanics in any game to date!”
“The gameplay style is very dated, the dialogue isn't creative, and it relies on cheap shock value for story progression (genuinely only one horror moment was well executed).”
“Arguably the worst part of this game if you go into it thinking you will be engaged by any mechanics.”
“The only gameplay you will be allowed, besides clicking for the next line to appear, are 2 choices that shape which ending you'll get, and that's it.”
- character development22 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising the well-structured and empathetic portrayal of characters, while others criticize it as forced or lacking depth. The character design and voice acting are highlighted as strong points, yet the handling of sensitive topics and shocking content has led to discomfort among players, suggesting that the development often prioritizes shock value over nuanced storytelling. Overall, while some elements contribute positively to character growth, many feel that the execution falls short, leaving characters feeling flat or underdeveloped.
“The character development is well structured and refined to ensure that the public will empathize with them by experiencing the story through all the viewpoints.”
“Nothing is gratuitous; every shocking thing happens for the sake of character development.”
“They're sudden, shocking, and disturbing, and they drive both the character development and the story.”
“Character development was either forced or lacking for how big the change they'd experienced.”
“Basically, it's just a bunch of super edgy content, creepy elements, and flat 2D characters who don't even exist long enough to get character development.”
“Even still, rather than introduce any sort of character development, characters will pontificate on events and other works of literature rather than show or explain them.”
- humor8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is often described as unexpected and quirky, with players finding amusement in its surprising elements, such as the abrupt introduction of adult content. The character Saya is particularly noted for her cute and funny personality, contributing to the game's charm. Overall, players appreciate the blend of humor with the horror/love story narrative, enhancing their enjoyment of the experience.
“I know it's the funny Pinterest game, but I loved it. Really good game, 10/10.”
“Saya is cute and funny and smart.”
“Cute and funny.”
- replayability6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The game boasts significant replayability due to its multiple endings, which encourage players to explore different story outcomes. Additionally, a recent patch has further enhanced this aspect, providing even more reasons to revisit the game.
“The multiple endings are a masterstroke, allowing you to explore various facets of the story and witness different outcomes, adding immense replay value.”
“The patch adds some replay value, by the way.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game is highlighted by standout voice performances that enhance the impact of the CGI scenes, contributing to a peak performance experience. Overall, the game's technical execution is praised for its effectiveness in delivering an immersive atmosphere.
“You may not like it, but this is what peak performance looks like.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Players express that the grinding in the game is excessively time-consuming, suggesting that it requires an unrealistic amount of effort akin to having a second life to fully engage with it.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The reviews do not provide specific insights into the monetization aspect of the game, focusing instead on the multiple endings and their contributions to the overall understanding of the game. Therefore, no clear summary regarding monetization can be drawn from the provided texts.
