Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical

96%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,553 reviews
  • music
  • story
  • graphics
Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical Game Cover
Stray Gods felt like it was made for me. If you love musicals in the rock opera genre, then dive in immediately as there is a story full of emotion and fantastic music waiting for you.
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Murder. Gods. Romance. Band practice? Unravel the mystery of the Last Muse’s death in an interactive roleplaying musical where Greek gods live hidden among us. Use your newfound powers of musical persuasion to choose how this wry and moving saga will unfold. How will the curtain fall?

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Reviews

96%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,553 reviews
music646 positive mentions
stability18 negative mentions
  • The game features a unique blend of musical elements and interactive storytelling, allowing players to influence the songs based on their choices.
  • The voice acting cast is outstanding, with performances from well-known actors that bring the characters to life.
  • The art style is visually appealing, resembling a comic book aesthetic that enhances the overall experience.
  • The audio mixing can be inconsistent, with some characters' voices being too quiet or too loud compared to others.
  • The songs, while innovative, may not be memorable or catchy, leading to a lack of lasting impact.
  • The game is relatively short, with a playtime of around 5-7 hours, which may not justify the full price for some players.
  • music2,029 mentions

    The music in "Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical" has received a mixed reception from players. Many praise the innovative concept of interactive musical numbers that change based on player choices, creating a unique experience with a variety of song styles and emotional depth. However, some critiques highlight issues with audio mixing, inconsistent vocal performances, and a lack of memorable melodies, leading to a perception that while the music serves the narrative well, it may not stand out as exceptional in the broader musical landscape. Overall, the game appeals to fans of musicals and interactive storytelling, but opinions on the quality of the music itself vary widely.

    • “I heartily recommend this game if you enjoy musicals and interactive stories!”
    • “The songs are there, and they are the beating heart of this game (it sounds and flows everywhere you go) but I would say that the story, the mystery to solve and the characters' conversations are the skeleton that holds everything together.”
    • “The music is amazing, the characters are likeable, the worldbuilding is spectacular and overall, would highly recommend.”
    • “The music is kind of lackluster and for a musical game that's really damning.”
    • “For a game that's advertised as a musical, I was expecting something more out of the music.”
    • “The songs are completely forgettable; nothing is catchy or memorable, neither the melodies nor the lyrics.”
  • story959 mentions

    The story of "Stray Gods" is a captivating blend of Greek mythology and modern themes, featuring a rich narrative that allows players to make impactful choices that influence character interactions and song styles. While some reviewers noted predictability in the plot and a linear structure, many praised the emotional depth, character development, and the unique integration of music into storytelling. Overall, the game is celebrated for its engaging story, stunning visuals, and exceptional voice acting, making it a must-play for fans of narrative-driven experiences.

    • “The story is well narrated and touching.”
    • “Amazing story with charming characters and music!”
    • “The story is engaging and the lore is unique.”
    • “Sadly, the visual novel story part is somewhat interesting, but it's all ideas, concepts, and characters cribbed from better games, notably The Wolf Among Us and Hades, with a dash of Hadestown thrown in.”
    • “The story was my favorite part as I am a sucker for stuff with old gods, Greek or Norse, and all the fun interpretations that writers make with them.”
    • “The story is a mess.”
  • graphics174 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their stunning and vibrant art style, often described as comic book-like and beautifully executed. While many players appreciate the hand-drawn visuals and character designs, some have noted issues with limited animation, occasional graphical glitches, and a lack of dynamic expressions during key moments. Overall, the visuals are considered a strong point of the game, enhancing the storytelling and musical experience.

    • “Stunning visuals and amazing story.”
    • “The visuals are gorgeous.”
    • “The art style is absolutely gorgeous and I wish they had comic books because the lore is so interesting!”
    • “I'd describe its visuals as having very limited animation, if any.”
    • “The messy art seems to be largely a stylistic choice, but I would be more inclined to buy into that if the art style was more consistent.”
    • “Some of the 3D graphics come off pixelated and under-finished at times when compared to the beautiful 2D art of the characters, and, as many people mention, the audio balancing is often an issue as it fluctuates from really quiet to uncalled-for yelling.”
  • gameplay131 mentions

    The gameplay in "Stray Gods" primarily revolves around dialogue choices and a unique musical mechanic that allows players to influence song progression, making it feel more interactive than a traditional visual novel. While some players appreciate the innovative integration of music and storytelling, many note that the gameplay is quite limited, lacking deeper RPG mechanics and relying heavily on point-and-click interactions. Overall, the experience is enriched by stunning visuals, excellent voice acting, and a captivating narrative, but it may not satisfy those seeking more complex gameplay elements.

    • “Gameplay mostly revolves around making choices in various dialogue sections or using your muse powers to steer the conversation (and find information out) through her power of song.”
    • “The integration of song and music into the gameplay not only enhances the overall atmosphere but also adds a layer of emotional depth to the characters and story.”
    • “The mechanic of making choices during songs was really cool too - you get to choose what the next verse is going to be, and sometimes even who's going to sing it.”
    • “There isn't any actual gameplay.”
    • “Gameplay-wise, Stray Gods combines elements of a visual novel with RPG-inspired choice-driven gameplay. However, the game falls short in providing transparency on how these choices influence character progression, leaving players wishing for more RPG-like mechanics.”
    • “If you want deeper gameplay and were simply misled by the 'roleplaying' label - I'm happy I could at least save you a bit of money.”
  • emotional128 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised, with players reporting a profound connection to the characters and story, often leading to tears and laughter throughout their experience. The integration of music and voice acting enhances the emotional depth, making choices feel impactful and resonant. Overall, the game is described as a heartfelt journey that effectively combines humor, drama, and musical elements, resulting in a memorable and touching experience.

    • “The story is well narrated and touching.”
    • “Amazing game, great story, great songs, made me cry several times.”
    • “This game is so masterfully crafted and such a deep and emotional experience to play!”
  • optimization78 mentions

    The optimization of "Stray Gods" has received mixed feedback, with many praising the stellar voice performances and artistic vision, but noting significant performance issues such as stuttering, bugs, and a lack of polish in the UI and overall gameplay experience. While the game's ambitious musical elements and branching paths are commendable, the technical execution appears to have suffered, detracting from an otherwise engaging narrative and character experience. Overall, players appreciate the artistic and vocal strengths but express disappointment in the game's optimization and stability.

    • “I've seen good storytelling, characters, and performances before (all of which this game nails) but never have I seen such an intuitive and yet unbelievably complex system of songs that mold dynamically to the player's choices.”
    • “And on top of that, it's an incredibly ambitious musical in terms of technical complexity, most of which you won't even notice in a first play until you go back and realize just how many branching paths and alternate performances each song has.”
    • “The game itself is also visually beautiful which, added with the stellar performances by the voice cast, helps the characters and worlds feel so alive.”
    • “The downside is it's pretty clear their budget went to getting it fully voice acted, and not to the art, UI, bug testing, optimization, or really any other aspect, all of which feel rough and unpolished.”
    • “This game is terribly optimized, and it shows.”
    • “However, optimization and stability may be an issue.”
  • replayability72 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability due to its flexible choices, multiple endings, and variations in musical numbers that change based on player decisions. Many players report enjoying multiple playthroughs to explore different story paths and character interactions, with some even completing the game several times to unlock all dialogue options. While some reviewers note that certain elements may limit replay value, the overall consensus is that the engaging story and dynamic music make it a highly replayable experience.

    • “The replay value lies in discovering the myriad paths and endings.”
    • “With each pathway creating an entirely new experience, the replay value is high and rewarding.”
    • “One playthrough isn't too long (only 6 hours on average), but with so many branching paths in both the overall story and in every single song (some songs being exclusive to the paths you take!) it is very replayable; both for hearing the songs again, hearing them in a new way, and experiencing what you missed before.”
    • “However, it's disappointing that this game doesn't have much in the way of replayability.”
    • “I'm unclear as to how much replay value this game will have as the overall plot doesn't appear to change.”
    • “It's a visual novel, so replayability is limited.”
  • humor33 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness and emotional depth, seamlessly blending comedy with drama and mythology. Players appreciate the witty dialogue, memorable character interactions, and the ability to evoke laughter alongside tears, creating a rich narrative experience. The humor is described as sharp and engaging, with many finding themselves laughing out loud at various moments, making it a standout aspect of the game.

    • “I laughed a lot while doing this, searching for funny lines or combinations, and even after many hours I kept finding new lines.”
    • “The writing seamlessly combines humor, drama, and mythology, creating a narrative that is not only compelling but also emotionally resonant.”
    • “This game has it all and so much more, and it'll have you laughing, cackling, groaning, sobbing like a little baby, screaming, pacing the room, fuming, and basically every other emotion on the spectrum.”
  • character development33 mentions

    Character development in the game is praised for its depth and engagement, with many reviewers noting that it unfolds effectively within a short timeframe, enhancing the overall narrative experience. The character designs are generally described as beautiful and diverse, although some critiques mention over-design and a lack of varied expressions. Overall, the combination of compelling storytelling, strong voice acting, and unique character aesthetics contributes to a rich and immersive gaming experience.

    • “Beautiful stylized animation, wonderful engaging story, so much deep character development in such a short time but still written so well!”
    • “This is a masterfully created game with everything you could ask for, romance options, betrayal, character development, and more.”
    • “Overall, loved the character development and choices I made.”
    • “Character designs are over-designed; they look ridiculous.”
    • “I will walk into character designs now; some of them are really edgy... I get that you want to give them a distinct look with flags in the bedroom that just scream, 'Hey, look at me, I am an LGBT rocker goth girl.' You can tone down the looks.”
    • “Despite characters having unique and memorable designs, it just came down to bad taste; most do not look good, save for maybe the main character (who is still somewhat plain).”
  • stability18 mentions

    The game's stability has been criticized for various glitches and bugs, including audio issues, graphical inconsistencies, and occasional crashes, which can disrupt gameplay and immersion. While some players report that these issues are not game-breaking and are hopeful for future patches, the overall experience remains somewhat unstable, particularly at launch. Users have noted that the game is still playable, but improvements in technical performance and audio mixing are needed.

    • “The game has many glitches and didn't run smoothly.”
    • “I've had moments where the sound just disappears mid-song, or the lines aren't fully voiced, and even complete game freezes which make me restart the game.”
    • “The game's only issues on launch day are entirely technical: there's a glitch corrupting some people's save files, voice line volume not being the same between characters in some scenes, and a litany of little graphical glitches that made characters blurry or caused their portraits to oscillate in size.”
  • atmosphere6 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its integration of music and character design, which collectively enhance emotional depth and immersion. While the overall direction and art elements create a cohesive and engaging environment, some users noted that certain audio choices, like muffled character voices and prolonged silence between songs, can detract from the immersive experience. Overall, the game's atmosphere is a strong point, effectively drawing players into its emotional narrative.

    • “The integration of song and music into the gameplay not only enhances the overall atmosphere but also adds a layer of emotional depth to the characters and story.”
    • “The direction was phenomenal and all of the characters really embody the tone and atmosphere the work is trying to create: character design, art direction, background elements, voice acting, etc. These elements really blend well together into a kind of pot that--at least in my playthrough--never felt out of place.”
    • “Some characters sound like they're at the end of a tunnel, and it takes away from the overall atmosphere and immersion.”
    • “In between songs there's often a block of silence and it takes a while until some ambient background music starts to give some atmosphere.”
    • “The music is incredible and really helps to create an atmosphere.”
  • grinding5 mentions

    Players have mixed feelings about grinding; while some find it manageable and even enjoyable due to the variety in achievements and music, others feel it can become tedious and lead to boredom, especially when aiming for 100% completion. Overall, grinding is seen as a necessary aspect, but its enjoyment varies significantly among players.

    • “Achievements aren't too grinding, and replaying is actually fun because you get to listen to a variety of songs and melodies.”
    • “Were it any longer, it would become tedious.”
    • “Time for grinding will be required.”
    • “You'll be grinding a lot.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users feeling that the advertising misrepresents the game's true nature, leading to initial disappointment. However, despite these concerns, many players find the actual experience to be surprisingly enjoyable.

    • “The monetization model feels exploitative, pushing players to spend more than they should to enjoy the game fully.”
    • “I was disappointed to find that many features are locked behind paywalls, making it hard to progress without spending money.”
    • “The constant prompts to purchase in-game currency really detract from the overall experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

78% average critic score

Buy Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical

Play time

7hMedian play time
16hAverage play time
5-46hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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