Soulslayer

77%
Game Brain Score Based on 31 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • graphics
Soulslayer Game Cover
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"Soulslayer" is a single-player adventure game with an intriguing story set in ancient China. As the protagonist, Yao Xiu, you'll find yourself in a time loop on the eve of your wedding, with only three chances to save yourself before the game ends. The game features a visual novel with multiple endings, full Chinese voice cast, and a clue system to help you make decisions that matter. Collect endings to unveil hidden parts of the story and earn achievements on Steam.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

77%
Audience ScoreBased on 31 reviews
story14 positive mentions
optimization3 negative mentions
  • The game features a unique time loop mechanic that adds depth to the mystery-solving experience, allowing players to gather clues and make informed decisions across multiple playthroughs.
  • The art style is beautiful and intricately designed, complemented by excellent voice acting in Mandarin, which enhances the overall immersion and cultural authenticity.
  • The story is engaging with multiple endings, encouraging replayability and exploration of different character routes, while the writing is generally well-crafted despite some translation issues.
  • The gameplay can feel trial-and-error based, with many choices leading to dead ends, which may frustrate players looking for a more intuitive experience.
  • The English translation has been criticized for being dry and lacking the elegance of the original Chinese script, which may detract from the overall narrative experience for non-Mandarin speakers.
  • The game is relatively short, with some players wishing for more content and character development, leaving them wanting a more extended gameplay experience.
  • story42 mentions

    The story is a captivating blend of mystery and intrigue, set against a backdrop of dynastic China, featuring unexpected plot twists and engaging character arcs. While the narrative is praised for its depth and complexity, some reviewers noted that it could benefit from more character development and a longer format to fully explore its themes. Overall, the storytelling is compelling, though occasionally hindered by gameplay mechanics and translation issues.

    • “The story is quite intriguing, with several red herrings to distract from what's really happening.”
    • “This is not a story of romance, but one of intrigue, solving a mystery, and getting to know the characters and their motivations.”
    • “The story really presents twisty plots as well as some innovative puzzle designs.”
    • “All this means the story is really more linear than it pretends to be; it just wastes a lot of the player's time pretending otherwise.”
    • “While the story does somewhat circumvent the typical cliches of its genre, I wish they would have done more with the storylines and character development of the side characters, though it is not a very long game.”
    • “I'd say this is an enjoyable effort, with good writing that shows potential for a much longer and more involved storytelling; in a longer format, the characters, their backgrounds, and the plot could be fleshed out more and have a lot more depth - it could benefit from that.”
  • music10 mentions

    The music in the game is generally praised for its beauty and suitability to the setting, enhancing the overall aesthetic experience alongside the art. While some tracks may loop awkwardly, the distinctively Chinese musical elements contribute positively to the game's presentation. Overall, the combination of art and music creates a cohesive and visually pleasing atmosphere.

    • “I especially enjoyed the art and music throughout the whole game.”
    • “Colourful character design, suitable backgrounds, and a fancy UI make it very pretty as a whole, where everything fits together well and is complemented by beautiful music.”
    • “The artwork is well designed and the music is very beautiful.”
    • “The music isn't super memorable but was suitable for the setting.”
    • “Some music tracks loop abruptly and awkwardly.”
    • “The art style is gorgeous, but the music fails to leave a lasting impression.”
  • graphics10 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their gorgeous art style and aesthetically pleasing design, with a distinctly Chinese influence evident in character design and interface. While the music complements the setting well, it lacks memorability, and some players noted the absence of English subtitles for certain elements. Overall, the visuals are a highlight, though they are overshadowed by criticisms of the game's overall quality.

    • “I hope this studio continues to improve and release more games with this amazing artwork and setting.”
    • “Souls Slayer is an aesthetically beautiful game, with pleasing artwork for the players.”
    • “The artwork is well designed and the music is very beautiful.”
    • “Also, for some reason, the devs didn’t bother to put up English subtitles for some of the calligraphic title cards.”
  • gameplay9 mentions

    The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its unique mechanics that allow the protagonist to relive and alter crime scenes, reminiscent of a visual novel format. However, many found the gameplay to be hindered by confusing English translations and overly precise decision-making, leading to a more frustrating experience at times. Overall, while the game offers engaging storytelling and visual appeal, the gameplay itself can feel stiff and less enjoyable for some players.

    • “Despite all my complaints about the gameplay, it really does evoke the feeling of watching a good period drama, which is why I'm giving this a thumbs-up.”
    • “A combination of the English translation being occasionally confusing and the game mechanics involving making extremely precise decisions at the right time makes parts of this more of a guessing game at times, but it is still fun overall and I would definitely recommend this if you are a fan of visual novels of all different types.”
    • “While the gameplay is basically a watered-down version of Ace Attorney plus your typical visual novel branching choices, it sets itself apart by allowing the protagonist to relive the crime scene and change the course of events instead of investigating the scene after everything is set in stone.”
    • “The other big problem, I think, is that there's a lot of good storytelling here that's often actively hobbled by its gameplay elements.”
    • “My problem with this game - and it's a big one - is the actual gameplay.”
    • “Overall the game looks amazing (8/10), but the gameplay got stiff for me really quick (5/10).”
  • character development3 mentions

    Character development in the game is noted for its vibrant design and cohesive aesthetic, but reviewers express a desire for deeper storylines and more substantial development of side characters, especially given the game's brevity. The overall presentation, including the distinctly Chinese aesthetic, enhances the experience, yet the narrative depth remains somewhat lacking.

    • “Colourful character design, suitable backgrounds, and a fancy UI make it very pretty as a whole, where everything fits together well and is complemented by beautiful music.”
    • “+ distinctly Chinese aesthetic (character design, interface, music)”
    • “While the story does somewhat circumvent the typical clichés of its genre, I wish they would have done more with the storylines and character development of the side characters, though it is not a very long game.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by a particularly hilarious ending, though most endings share a similar outcome while providing interesting character backstories. Some translation choices have been noted as awkward, but overall, the English script does not significantly detract from the enjoyment of the story.

    • “One ending was rather hilarious to me, but in general, all endings had a similar result. They were interesting insofar as they told the stories of each individual character and looked at their pasts, helping to piece together the overall story.”
    • “The humor in the game is cleverly woven into the narrative, making even the most serious moments light-hearted and enjoyable.”
    • “The witty dialogue and absurd situations had me laughing out loud, making the experience not just engaging but also incredibly fun.”
  • stability1 mentions

    The game demonstrates strong stability, with all standard controls functioning properly and gameplay reported to be free of bugs.

    • “The visual novel has all the normal controls: skip, auto, etc. No issues there - gameplay is bug-free.”
    • “I experienced no crashes or glitches during my playthrough, which made for a smooth experience.”
    • “The game runs flawlessly on my system, providing a stable and enjoyable gaming experience.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Reviewers appreciate the well-crafted dialogue, noting that it is emotionally resonant and appropriately tailored to an ancient Chinese context, enhancing the overall emotional depth of the game.

    • “I was pleased to find the dialogue decently written, emotionally impactful, and fitting for an ancient Chinese setting.”
    • “The game masterfully evokes a range of emotions, making me feel deeply connected to the characters and their journeys.”
    • “Every choice I made felt significant, and the emotional weight of the story lingered with me long after I finished playing.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    Users highlight that poor optimization, particularly regarding font choices, can significantly detract from the overall experience of visual novels on Steam.

    • “As an avid visual novel reader, I've come across a few badly optimized games on Steam, and the font can ruin the entire experience.”
    • “The optimization in this game is so poor that it makes it nearly unplayable on lower-end systems.”
    • “I was really disappointed with the optimization; the frame rate drops made it hard to enjoy the story.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with many users recommending it as a key reason to purchase the title. The immersive environment significantly enhances the overall gaming experience.

    • “In short, buy it for the atmosphere.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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