Scary Girl
- April 9, 2012
- TikGames
- 10h median play time
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.
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.
Reviews
- 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, allowing players to utilize Scary Girl's unique tentacle arm for a variety of attacks and combos, making the gameplay engaging and fun.
- The game offers a charming story with quirky characters, and the protagonist, Scary Girl, is endearing and relatable, enhancing the overall experience.
- The game suffers from poor optimization and a lack of customization options, including limited resolution settings and awkward keybindings, which can hinder the gameplay experience.
- Controls can feel unresponsive and unintuitive at times, leading to frustration during combat and platforming sections, especially when dealing with multiple enemies.
- The enemy variety is lacking, with many foes feeling bland and repetitive, which detracts from the immersion and challenge of the game.
- story40 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 15 % 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 plot threads unresolved, particularly regarding a mysterious character. While the narrative is visually engaging and has its charming moments, players familiar with the source material may find inconsistencies and a lack of closure in the ending. Overall, the story is considered cute and entertaining, though it suffers from odd decisions and a somewhat weak conclusion.
“While it does look like a game for all ages, it has a good story and can be a challenging platformer that makes you use the most out of all your abilities.”
“The story is entertaining, although the ending is a bit weak.”
“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.”
“Too bad the story just stops after the city and doesn’t conclude the whole mystery man thing.”
“The game had a cute and unique story, but the ending was disappointing.”
“But if you have, then some story bits may leave you confused or annoyed.”
- graphics31 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising its colorful and stylish art reminiscent of Tim Burton's work, while others criticize the outdated 3D visuals and lack of support for widescreen resolutions. Many appreciate the unique art style and character designs, but some feel that the graphics have not aged well since its initial release, detracting from the overall gameplay experience. Overall, the aesthetic appeal is noted, but technical limitations and inconsistencies in visual quality are significant concerns.
“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 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.”
“Sadly, while the Steam overlay is supported, users with widescreen monitors will be limited to 1280x760 graphics.”
- gameplay25 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
Gameplay reviews highlight a mix of nostalgia and frustration, with some players enjoying the fun mechanics and retro aesthetic, while others criticize the dated graphics and challenging combat. The game features a straightforward 2D platforming experience with a detailed combat system, but certain design choices, like the timing of item unlocks, detract from the overall enjoyment. Despite its flaws, many players appreciate the unique storytelling and cooperative gameplay elements.
“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 overwhelming. I love this game from the bottom of my heart; the graphics are beautiful, the gameplay is fun, and the mechanics are pretty interesting.”
“A lot of platformers try to affect a retro look or feel that often falls short, but this game has an overall consistency—music, mechanics—that taps into that feeling of platformer nostalgia without specifically harkening back to an earlier era.”
“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.”
“The battle part is horrible as well; all mobs are so hard to kill, and there are lots of them. Most likely, this was made to force more 'gameplay hours.'”
“We don’t get this helmet until after the ocean level, which makes no sense for both story and gameplay.”
- music12 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's music is primarily ambient, featuring a few catchy melodies that may linger in players' minds, though many wish for a larger selection of tracks. Reviewers appreciate the well-crafted soundtrack and sound effects, noting that the music contributes to a nostalgic platformer experience without directly referencing past eras. Overall, while the music enhances the gameplay, there is a desire for more variety.
“A lot of platformers try to affect a retro look or feel that often falls short, but this game has an overall consistency—music, mechanics—that taps into that feeling of platformer nostalgia without specifically harkening back to an earlier era.”
“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.”
“In addition, 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.”
- stability4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, players 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.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % 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.”
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight that the game features vibrant artwork and appealing character designs, contributing to an engaging visual experience. However, there is no specific mention of character development in terms of narrative depth or growth.
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its immersive atmosphere, combining challenging gameplay with evocative 3D visuals in a sidescrolling format.
“Very atmospheric 3D sidescroller that is both challenging and evocative.”
Critic Reviews
Scary Girl Review
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.
70%Scarygirl review
70%Scarygirl Review
60%