Scar of the Doll
- April 20, 2017
- Child-Dream
Get on Steam"Scar of the Doll" is a psychological horror adventure game. The player uncovers the dark secrets of a creepy doll factory while controlling two characters with different abilities. The game features puzzle-solving, survival elements, and a haunting atmosphere.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The story is engaging with unexpected twists and turns, keeping players intrigued throughout the experience.
- The atmosphere and music are well-crafted, enhancing the overall suspense and immersion of the game.
- Despite its short length, the game offers a compelling narrative that resonates with fans of mystery and thriller genres.
- The game can feel overly linear, with many choices leading to game overs without clear context, which may frustrate players.
- Some players found the graphics and art style dated, which could deter those accustomed to modern visual novels.
- The translation and dialogue can be awkward at times, impacting the overall storytelling experience.
- story33 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The story of the game is characterized by its engaging and unpredictable narrative, filled with twists and turns that keep players intrigued. While some reviews highlight issues with translation and visual presentation, many agree that the story itself is thought-provoking and enjoyable, often likening it to a "choose your own adventure" experience. Overall, despite some criticisms regarding execution, the narrative is praised for its depth and ability to surprise players.
“The storyline is full of twists and turns, and kept me frightened, curious, and engaged the whole way through.”
“What this game really nails is the story.”
“A nice and unpredictable story.”
“Horrible art (backgrounds, and sprites if you could even call them that since they're so bad), mediocre soundtrack, and what should be the integral part of any visual novel, which is the story, was just very poorly written, boring, and plain bad.”
“This game is not perfect; the character models are cropped, and how you get killed and what the 'right' choices are to progress through the story are very random. Collect this item but don't examine it, or you get a bad ending, which is a very frustrating approach to choice-based outcomes.”
“But you die too much before you really know the story and the way to progress.”
- music10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its immersive atmosphere and nostalgic qualities, particularly the MIDI background tracks, while others criticize it for being repetitive and poorly integrated with the gameplay. Despite some memorable pieces, there are complaints about the soundtrack's mediocrity and the noticeable looping of tracks. Overall, the music contributes significantly to the game's vibe, though it may not appeal to everyone.
“The music and atmosphere are immaculate, and I had fun experiencing the story again.”
“This game rules, and the vibe is excellent, especially if you respect full MIDI background music as an art form.”
“Memorable soundtrack.”
“Horrible art (backgrounds, and sprites if you could even call them that since they're so bad), mediocre soundtrack, and what should be the integral part of any visual novel which is the story was just very poorly written, boring, and plain bad.”
“Some of the events in the last part of the game were a little too silly to my taste, with some weird music choices.”
“Location backgrounds are reused, music loop points are very obvious, the dialog feels flat at times, and some of the characters feel under-developed.”
- graphics8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming, timeless art style that reflects its 1990s origins, featuring appealing sprites and portrait artwork. While some players note minor graphic issues and the dated visuals may not appeal to everyone, the overall aesthetic is appreciated for its nostalgic quality and clean presentation. Despite its age, the graphics contribute positively to the game's solid storytelling and dynamic dialogue.
“Charming visuals.”
“The translation is well-done, the graphics feel timelessly classic while presenting a clean modern feel.”
“The story was intriguing, the dialogue dynamic, and I even found the artwork to be appealing (although it clearly shows its age, thus it may not work for everyone).”
“A few graphic issues, typos, and incorrect names showing up plague it at times, but not enough to take away from the solid story being told.”
“Scar of the Doll is a visual novel from the 1990s; it doesn't look like anything special, and its art style may turn some modern visual novel fans away, but if you give it about 30 minutes, you will realize there is something unique about this game—it just feels right.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive music and tense, unsettling ambiance, which effectively enhances the storytelling experience. While it may lack cutting-edge visuals, the compelling atmosphere and engaging narrative more than compensate for this shortcoming.
“The music and atmosphere are immaculate, and I had fun experiencing the story again.”
“It does have a tense atmosphere aided by the music and a few creepy scenes, creating a general sense of unease; atmosphere is something the game does very well.”
“It may not be the most visually appealing or cutting edge, but its great story and atmosphere alone make up for that.”
