Scary Girl

A unique twisted story of a girl that looks like a rag doll from hell but has some cool abilities with her upgradable, hook like tentacle arm that will be the main basis for combat as well as progression in this arcade platformer, that offers up a game that anyone can enjoy, from children to adults.

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Scarygirl is a side-scrolling action game where you play as the titular character, a girl raised by an octopus, seeking to identify the man haunting her dreams. Traverse through a vibrant world that blends 2D and 3D platforming, with the option for single-player or cooperative gameplay with a kung-fu rabbit companion. Uncover secrets, buy new weapons and moves, and enjoy the unique art design in this fairytale-inspired game.

Genres & Tags

Action

Play Modes

Reviews

61%

Audience ScoreBased on 42 reviews

story7 positive mentions

music3 negative mentions

The game features a unique and visually stunning art style that draws inspiration from Tim Burton, creating a darkly beautiful world that players can explore.
Combat mechanics are satisfying, with a well-designed moveset that allows players to utilize Scary Girl's unique abilities, making for engaging gameplay.
The game offers a charming story with quirky characters, and the protagonist, Scary Girl, is endearing and relatable, adding to the overall experience.

The game suffers from poor optimization and technical issues, including a lack of customization options and a low maximum resolution, which detracts from the experience.
Controls can be unintuitive and imprecise, leading to frustrating gameplay moments, especially during combat and platforming sections.
The story and level design have inconsistencies, with some plot points feeling rushed or poorly explained, leaving players confused about the narrative.

story
19 mentions
37 % positive mentions
47 % neutral mentions
16 % negative mentions
The game's story revolves around Scarygirl's quest to save a dying forest by seeking the Tree of Knowledge, but it leaves some players feeling confused or disappointed, especially those familiar with the source material. While the narrative features intriguing elements and a unique art style, it suffers from an abrupt ending and some odd plot decisions that detract from the overall experience. Despite its shortcomings, the story remains entertaining and adds charm to the gameplay.
- “If nothing else, know there is a story, complete with a recap of how Scarygirl came to live the life she does.”
- “And that’s all the plot from the book we’re getting as the actual plot of this game is that the forest is dying and Scarygirl looks for the Tree of Knowledge for answers.”
- “The story is entertaining, although the ending is a bit weak.”
- “Too bad the story just stops after the city and doesn’t conclude the whole mystery man thing.”
- “If you never 'read' the book, you probably won’t mind the story that’s presented here. But if you have, then some story bits may leave you confused or annoyed.”
- “The game had a cute and unique story but the ending was disappointing.”
graphics
15 mentions
40 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising its colorful and stylish art style reminiscent of Tim Burton's work, while others criticize the outdated 3D graphics and lack of visual polish for a 2020 audience. Despite the aesthetic appeal and unique character designs, many feel that the visuals do not fully support the gameplay experience, leading to a sense of disconnect. Overall, while the art style is appreciated by some, it is seen as a significant drawback by others, particularly in terms of technical execution.
- “The art of this game highlights the journey of this risk-lover girl in an aesthetically pleasing way.”
- “Tim Burton-esque art style, so anyone who enjoyed Beetlejuice, James and the Giant Peach, or The Nightmare Before Christmas will like this.”
- “A fun and colorful platform game with great artwork and character designs.”
- “This is both an aesthetic setback, since it takes away some of that sense of surreal aliveness of the world and its denizens otherwise have; and a gameplay one, as it means that the scary girl and her foes don't always broadcast their swiftness right.”
- “This game may have been good back in 2012, but for a 2020 audience, the game engine and graphics have really not aged well, making the gameplay lackluster and dull.”
- “- Horrendous 3D graphics - and that girl looks like an old psycho woman, not like a girl anymore.”
gameplay
12 mentions
33 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
Gameplay reviews highlight a mix of nostalgia and frustration, with some players appreciating the fun mechanics and retro aesthetic, while others criticize the dated graphics and challenging combat that can detract from the experience. The game features enjoyable platforming elements and a detailed combat system, but inconsistencies in difficulty and design choices, such as the timing of item availability, have led to a divided reception. Overall, while some find the gameplay engaging and reminiscent of classic platformers, others feel it falls short in modern standards.
- “Firstly, great gameplay action, just enough 'floating' fall physics to make the game not too hard.”
- “I don't care what others say about this game, the nostalgia of this game for me is overloading, I love this game from the bottom of my heart, the graphics are beautiful, the gameplay is fun, and the mechanics are pretty interesting.”
- “The gameplay is for the most part fun although some sections can be rather frustrating.”
- “This is both an aesthetic setback, since it takes away some of that sense of surreal aliveness of the world and its denizens otherwise have; and a gameplay one, as it means that the scary girl and her foes don't always broadcast their swiftness right.”
- “We don’t get this helmet until after the ocean level, which makes no sense for both story and gameplay.”
- “This game may have been good back in 2012, but for a 2020 audience, the game engine and graphics have really not aged well, making the gameplay lackluster and dull.”
music
6 mentions
33 % positive mentions
17 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, characterized as ambient with memorable melodies that enhance the overall experience. While players appreciate the soundtrack and sound effects, many express a desire for a larger variety of tracks. The music effectively contributes to the nostalgic feel of the game, aligning well with its platforming mechanics.
- “The game is well narrated, has a great soundtrack, and excellent sound effects.”
- “Music is more ambient than anything, but some of the tunes do have a nice melody to them, and one or two might get stuck in your head.”
- “I love the music you hear throughout the game; however, I wish there were more tracks.”
- “There are similar elements between the two games, such as characters, settings, and music, which would make me reluctant to pay full price for the game.”
stability
2 mentions
150 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
Overall, users report a high level of stability in the game, with no significant glitches or bugs affecting gameplay.
- “I found no glitches or bugs that cause problems for playing the game.”
- “The game runs smoothly without any crashes or interruptions.”
- “I appreciate how stable the gameplay is; it allows for an immersive experience.”
- “The game is plagued with glitches that disrupt the overall experience.”
- “I encountered several bugs that made it difficult to enjoy the gameplay.”
- “The stability issues in this game are frustrating and need to be addressed.”
optimization
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
The game presents an intriguing premise; however, it suffers from poor optimization and a rushed production, resulting in a lackluster experience.
- “Interesting premise, but poor optimization and a rushed production leave this one feeling rather anemic.”
- “The game suffers from severe performance issues, making it nearly unplayable on lower-end systems.”
- “Despite its potential, the lack of proper optimization results in frustrating lag and frequent crashes.”
character development
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game features vibrant artwork and engaging character designs, contributing to a fun and colorful platforming experience, though specific details on character development are not highlighted.
atmosphere
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its immersive atmosphere, combining challenging gameplay with evocative visuals in a 3D sidescrolling format.
- “Very atmospheric 3D sidescroller that is both challenging and evocative.”