Storm the Swan - And the Power of FRIENDSHIP and IMAGINATION
- October 31, 2024
- CatTrigger
Get on Steam"Storm the Swan - And the Power of FRIENDSHIP and IMAGINATION" is a Point 'n' Click/Visual Novel Retro-Horror game set in the 8-bit style Hedgehog Hills, where you uncover secrets and customize your house while befriending adorable animal characters. As you play as the newest children's game for a portable gaming system, the line between reality and fantasy blurs, leading to scary occurrences. Available exclusively in select toy stores in California.
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Reviews
- Cleverly blends cute and dark themes, creating a unique narrative experience that keeps players engaged.
- Highly atmospheric with nostalgic graphics, providing a captivating mix of charm and eeriness.
- Offers a thought-provoking story with emotional depth, encouraging players to explore multiple endings and secrets.
- Gameplay can become repetitive over time, potentially diminishing the overall experience.
- Contains disturbing subject matter that may not be suitable for all audiences.
- Some players may find the pacing uneven, with certain parts feeling jumpy or rushed.
- story6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's story is praised for its intriguing and unpredictable narrative, which effectively explores the complexities of circumstances and emotions. While some parts may feel disjointed, the compelling characters and well-crafted plot keep players engaged throughout the roughly hour-long experience. Overall, it combines a mix of cute and creepy elements, resulting in a poignant and memorable visual novel.
“This game told a story in such a roundabout way, broadening my perspective of how circumstances can lead to the best or the worst.”
“This game is incredible, the characters are great and the story is compelling.”
“The story takes some fascinating turns that kept me hooked throughout.”
“Takes about an hour to beat, has a well-enough put together story, even if some parts feel a little jumpy.”
“Storm the Swan is a cute and creepy visual novel from the creator of Date Time; the story is poignant and unpredictable, it's very well written.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their cute, nostalgic style that contrasts effectively with the darker themes of the game, creating an enjoyable visual experience. Fans of retro aesthetics, particularly those reminiscent of Game Boy and Wonderswan games, will likely appreciate the art style, which blends elements from visual novels, Animal Crossing, and horror genres.
“The cute, nostalgic graphics set against the dark undertones of the kids' lives were thoroughly enjoyable!”
“Amazing job, devs! I love the art style, too.”
“The cute nostalgic graphics set against the dark undertones of the kids' lives were thoroughly enjoyable!”
“When I think of the Swan and Game Boy aesthetic, I think of a small unknown game called Terrors 2 for the Wonderswan.”
“If you are a fan of visual novels, retro game aesthetics, Animal Crossing, and horror games, this is for you.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly engaging, characterized by effective sound design and pacing that immerses players in a dark, metaphysical narrative. Its unique "creepy-cute" style enhances the overall experience, making it a worthwhile short visual novel that captivates players in just half an hour.
“The narrative is engaging, the sound design amplifies the atmosphere perfectly, and the pacing draws you in at just the right speed.”
“A highly atmospheric and dark short game with a metaphysical twist, in the creepy-cute cattrigger style.”
“Much like cattrigger's other games, Storm the Swan is a relatively short visual novel (the average play-through takes about half an hour, doubled if you're reading the text aloud with friends), but its design and overall atmosphere make it well worth the experience.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 200 % negative mentions
The gameplay is described as cute and enjoyable, with minimal jump scares, making it accessible for a wider audience. However, some users find it becomes repetitive over time, though they appreciate that it is free and fulfills its intended purpose.
“The gameplay gets a little boring after a while, but it serves its purpose well.”
“Very cute short game, I was happy there were hardly any jumpscares.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its well-written narrative that offers emotional depth, creating a striking contrast with its cute and cheerful Game Boy aesthetic.
“Well written with emotional depth contrasted by the cute and happy Game Boy world.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game excels in character development by providing players with meaningful choices that enhance the depth and growth of the characters.
“The game excels in providing meaningful choices that enhance character development.”
“I appreciate how the character development is woven into the narrative, making each decision feel impactful.”
“The depth of character development really draws you into the story and makes you care about the outcomes.”
