Shinrai: Broken Beyond Despair

About

In "SHINRAI: Broken Beyond Despair" , ten friends gather for a Halloween party at a remote mountain resort, only to find themselves trapped with a murderer. As they investigate and unveil the killer's identity, their journey reveals the horrors that despair can bring. This interactive visual novel offers choices that impact your detective rank and story outcome, with multiple endings based on your decisions.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Shinrai: Broken Beyond Despair screenshot

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 114 reviews

story20 positive mentions

stability3 negative mentions

Engaging and well-crafted mystery with satisfying twists that keep players guessing.
Characters are distinct and well-developed, making it easy to connect with them throughout the story.
The game effectively combines humor and suspense, creating an enjoyable atmosphere despite a slow start.

The beginning is slow and may deter some players, requiring patience to get to the more exciting parts.
Art style may not appeal to everyone, and some character designs feel amateurish.
Lack of quality of life features, such as the inability to review evidence during critical decision-making moments, can be frustrating.

story
96 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
75%
4%
The story is a classic murder mystery that unfolds slowly but ultimately captivates players with its engaging characters and intricate plot twists. While some found the pacing sluggish and certain character arcs lacking depth, many appreciated the detailed writing and the rewarding nature of the mystery, which encourages careful attention to clues. Overall, the narrative successfully combines elements of intrigue and character development, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the visual novel genre.
- “You are treated with the feeling that is the hallmark of a fantastic mystery story - overwhelmed, but with enough breadcrumbs to construct some idea of what is going on, only to have your assumptions challenged again and again.”
- “The writing is very detailed and flows well; the characters are well written and distinct from one another and the plot contains a lot of twists and turns and mysteries to ponder.”
- “It's a very nicely crafted murder mystery story with enough twists and turns to keep you entertained, but the conclusion makes sense and it’s satisfying to reach.”
- “While the mystery at the heart of this story was fine, it was not interesting enough to make up for everything else.”
- “I didn't especially care for any of the characters; the prose style (at least of the English translation) was stiff and repetitive; moments of humor were really, really bad--perhaps they simply don't translate well--and the pacing of the story was rather slow.”
- “On the negative side, the story is very slow to build, with key revelations and motivations unfolding in a large exposition dump at the end.”
music
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
54%
12%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some tracks praised for their beauty and effectiveness in enhancing tense moments, particularly in atmospheric settings. However, many users note issues with repetitiveness, looping, and a lack of variety, leading to a less immersive experience. Overall, while the soundtrack is generally enjoyable, it doesn't reach the memorable heights of other titles like Danganronpa or Ace Attorney.
- “To expand on this topic, the music is beautiful.”
- “The music is at its best in the mountain resort's creepy dark environments the characters often find themselves in, where uncertainty is in the air, and anything can jump out to surprise them.”
- “The overarching mystery was well crafted, abetted by charming characters, colorful artwork, and an atmospheric soundtrack.”
- “A select few tracks in the soundtrack sounded a little too messy for my taste, however.”
- “The music seemed to be short and loops often.”
- “The soundtrack I found a bit lackluster though, and I kept wondering if it was a problem with my notebook, but I could always notice the music/sound effects looping, and it broke the immersion a little bit.”
graphics
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
73%
14%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some players finding the art style charming and fitting for the narrative, while others criticize it as amateurish and unappealing. Despite its pedestrian visuals, many agree that the artwork effectively conveys the game's atmosphere and character emotions, enhancing the overall experience. Ultimately, the art style seems to be a matter of personal taste, with some players appreciating its uniqueness while others find it off-putting.
- “For an indie game, the writing and artwork is great.”
- “Once you dive into the game, the artwork morphs into something endearing, giving the characters a distinct charm.”
- “I quickly warmed to the artwork, as it is expressive, unique and fits the game well.”
- “The artwork doesn't fit at all; it's not even an acquired taste.”
- “The art can be pretty ugly at times, and in the case of [spoiler]kotoba's death[/spoiler], incredibly graphic for the style.”
- “As someone who judges games a lot by their design, the art style almost made me pass on this game.”
humor
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it forced and juvenile, particularly in the early stages, while others appreciate the witty dialogue and charming character quirks that develop over time. References to pop culture and relatable speech patterns contribute positively to the humor, making certain characters memorable and amusing. Overall, while the humor may not resonate with everyone, it evolves into a more enjoyable aspect as the game progresses.
- “Beneath her anti-social behavior lies a cool, calm, and collected girl, providing hilarious scenes when clashed against the game's outlandish personalities.”
- “There is a lot of witty humor between characters, which is amusing when it needs to be.”
- “The humor at the beginning seems a bit forced but later on I found myself laughing at the jokes and funny statements.”
gameplay
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
65%
18%
The gameplay in "Shinrai ~ Broken Beyond Despair" primarily revolves around reading and making choices typical of visual novels, complemented by light investigation mechanics reminiscent of titles like Ace Attorney and Danganronpa. Players engage in clue-finding and evidence presentation, with a user-friendly interface enhancing the experience, though some feel the gameplay could benefit from more challenging elements. Overall, while the game is accessible and enjoyable for visual novel fans, it may be less appealing to those unfamiliar with the genre.
- “This gameplay is aided by a really nice UI that was extremely easy to figure out and use.”
- “The gameplay involves some visual novel style choices, light investigation sequences, and parts where you try to pick the correct suspect or evidence.”
- “As a visual novel, gameplay in Shinrai ~ Broken Beyond Despair consists primarily of reading, with interactivity delegated to segments wherein the player is prompted to present evidence in order to prove or disprove character deductions.”
- “The game's mechanics are fine; the 'room search' feature doesn't get much chance to be used, and it's a bit too easy to know what objects are important while searching (unlike in the dialogue and cut-scenes, where a close eye for detail is required).”
- “This game is a little gem even if not particularly difficult to finish (reveal the mystery) and definitely deserves a place in every fan of visual novels' collection, but for those who aren't used to this kind of gameplay, it could be difficult to appreciate.”
emotional
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game offers a wholesome and emotionally impactful experience, particularly highlighted by its dynamic characters and a poignant true ending that reveals a deep tragedy. While some players have mixed feelings about the characters' maturity given their ages, the overall narrative is both heartwarming and challenging, leaving a lasting impression.
- “When you figure out the true ending, it really hits home and can be quite an emotional experience when you realize the true tragedy that's at the heart of this game.”
- “It's also challenging and heartwarming with memorable characters.”
- “Definitely not the longest visual novel around, but this game feels wholesome for the low price and dynamic characters.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its masterful suspense and immersive qualities, enhanced by charming characters, colorful artwork, and a captivating soundtrack. While some may find initial hurdles, those who embrace the atmosphere will find a complex mystery that keeps them engaged throughout the playthrough. Overall, it is regarded as a great visual novel that effectively draws players in.
- “The overarching mystery was well crafted, abetted by charming characters, colorful artwork, and an atmospheric soundtrack.”
- “Tldr: great visual novel; very complex mystery; likable characters; masterful suspense and atmosphere; nice art that will grow on you and even surprise you.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
Reviews on grinding in the game vary significantly, with some players finding it tedious and excessive, while others appreciate the minimal grinding required. However, a notable sentiment is that for those who engage deeply, it may feel like a second life is necessary to keep up with the demands of grinding.
- “The grinding can be quite extensive, but it feels rewarding as you progress.”
- “While there's a lot of grinding involved, it adds depth to the gameplay experience.”
- “The minimal grinding required makes it accessible for players who want to enjoy the story.”
- “Grinding is tedious and feels like a chore.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding if you want to progress.”
- “There's a lot of grinding involved, which can be exhausting.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The character development in the game features designs for Rie and Taiko that evoke a nostalgic 90s aesthetic, which some players find charmingly retro, while others may perceive it as outdated compared to modern, polished character designs.
- “The character designs of Rie and Taiko are truly captivating.”
- “The game has a delightful retro feel reminiscent of the 90s, which adds a unique charm, though I understand that some may find it outdated compared to modern, sleek character designs.”
- “The character designs for Rie and Taiko are quite underwhelming.”
- “While the game has a delightfully retro feel reminiscent of the 90s, some may find the character designs to be tacky compared to newer, more polished styles.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Overall, the game is generally stable, but some users reported experiencing a few glitches towards the end.
- “The game had a few glitches at the end, which affected my overall experience.”
- “I encountered several stability issues that made gameplay frustrating.”
- “There were frequent crashes that disrupted my progress in the game.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The reviews do not provide any specific insights regarding the game's optimization, focusing instead on the composer's performance. Therefore, no conclusions can be drawn about the optimization aspect from the available texts.