Scar of the Doll

About

Scar of the Doll is a single player action game. It was developed by Child-Dream and was released on April 20, 2017. It received very positive reviews from players.

Scar of the Doll is a beloved '90s visual novel remastered for Steam. Asumi goes to Tokyo to search for her only sister whom she has mysteriously not heard from for months. With an intelligent and unpredictable story, uncover a frightening truth in this thrilling suspense mystery.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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94%

Audience ScoreBased on 72 reviews

story20 positive mentions

Engaging and unpredictable story with plenty of twists and turns that keeps players intrigued throughout.
Atmospheric presentation with charming visuals and a memorable soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
Short playtime makes it a perfect choice for a quick yet compelling visual novel experience.

Game mechanics can be clunky, with frequent game overs and a lack of clear context for choices leading to frustration.
Limited character development and linear progression may leave some players wanting more depth and variety.
The translation and some graphical elements feel dated, which might deter modern visual novel fans.

story
60 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
60%
7%
The story is characterized by its engaging twists and turns, often described as a mix of thriller and psychological horror, keeping players intrigued and on edge. While some reviews highlight issues with writing quality and translation, many appreciate the depth and unpredictability of the narrative, which can be completed in a short time. Overall, despite some graphical and structural flaws, the story remains a strong point that captivates players throughout their experience.
- “A nice and unpredictable story.”
- “The storyline is full of twists and turns, and kept me frightened, curious, and engaged the whole way through.”
- “This game is a true visual novel, with some rather deep story and ethical elements.”
- “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 end 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.”
music
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
56%
22%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the nostalgic MIDI background tracks and the tense atmosphere they create, while others criticize the soundtrack as repetitive and mediocre. Despite some memorable pieces, there are complaints about awkward music choices during certain events and noticeable looping. Overall, the music contributes positively to the game's vibe, but it is not without its flaws.
- “This game rules and the vibe is excellent, especially if you respect full MIDI background music as an art form.”
- “It does have a tense atmosphere aided by the music and a few creepy scenes with a general sense of unease; atmosphere is something the game does very well.”
- “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.”
graphics
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
31%
19%
The graphics of "Scar of the Doll" are characterized by a nostalgic 90s art style that some may find charming, though it shows its age and may not appeal to all modern visual novel fans. While there are occasional graphic issues and typos, the overall presentation is considered timeless and clean, complementing the solid storytelling. The unique portrait art style and appealing sprites contribute to a visually engaging experience, despite its dated appearance.
- “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.”
- “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.”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game excels in creating a tense atmosphere, enhanced by its effective music and unsettling scenes that evoke a strong sense of unease. While it may lack cutting-edge visuals, the compelling story and immersive atmosphere significantly contribute to its overall appeal.
- “It does have a tense atmosphere aided by the music and a few creepy scenes with 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.”
- “It does have a tense atmosphere aided by the music and a few creepy scenes with a general sense of unease; atmosphere is something the game does very well.”