Sunflower Pie
- January 6, 2024
- ThePenSword
Get on Steam"Sunflower Pie" is a short, unsettling visual novel inspired by RPGmaker horror games and Adult Swim bumpers. Players follow Oliver, whose breakfast comes to life and must make choices to remove ticks from his body, all while learning about parasites and a violent speech therapist. The game promises sincerity among its discomfort and can be completed in 25 minutes.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a grim aesthetic with excellent ambience, creating a uniquely unsettling experience.
- The writing and symbolism are compelling, resonating particularly well with players who can relate to the themes of autism and personal struggle.
- Despite its short length, the game effectively tells a complete and engaging story, leaving players intrigued for the upcoming sequel.
- The story feels underdeveloped and linear, lacking meaningful choices and resolution for sensitive themes like child abuse.
- Some players found the character designs inconsistent, with horror versions appearing less scary than their regular counterparts.
- The game is very short, which may leave some players wanting more depth and content.
- story25 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The story has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its intriguing themes and character development, particularly in the context of psychological horror and coming-of-age elements. However, many felt that the narrative was underdeveloped, with pacing issues and a lack of clarity in its conclusion. Overall, while some found it a compelling and visually interesting experience, others criticized it for being vague and unsatisfying.
“Great little story with some really interesting visuals.”
“It's disguised as a psychological horror but with a coming-of-age story underneath it all.”
“A very well executed story with a good tense vibe throughout, a perfect taste of the storytelling that is present in the much longer title from this developer, Siren's Call, and highly recommended to jump into that as well if you enjoyed this short story.”
“Story could've been alright if only it had more time to develop and go somewhere instead of being pushed off a cliff.”
“Underwhelming and honestly bad storytelling; yet close to being great.”
“An initially interesting art style ruined by terrible storytelling.”
- graphics9 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are praised for their grim aesthetic and strong atmosphere, creating an intriguing visual experience that enhances the storytelling. While some users noted that the art style is appealing, opinions vary on how well it complements the narrative. Overall, the visuals are considered a standout feature, contributing to the game's eerie ambiance and engaging the player effectively.
“A grim aesthetic with excellent ambience.”
“The visuals are just the right amount of creepy and the music is always on point.”
“I don't usually play visual novels, but the artwork, style, and pretty much everything about this one really intrigued me.”
“The graphics are outdated and lack detail, making the game feel unpolished.”
“The character models look stiff and lifeless, which detracts from the overall experience.”
“The environments are bland and repetitive, failing to create an immersive atmosphere.”
- music4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is praised for enhancing the overall atmosphere, with a well-composed soundtrack that complements the visuals and emotional pacing. Users appreciate the ambient music and sound effects, which effectively contribute to the horror experience, creating a sense of discomfort and immersion. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a strong point of the game, adding depth to its narrative and ambiance.
“I quite enjoyed the soundtrack, atmosphere, and the writing.”
“Very short, quick horror game that cycles through pacing and emotion very well; wise choices on ambient music and good sound effects make for a good horror game regardless of genre.”
“The visuals are just the right amount of creepy and the music is always on point.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its intriguing visuals, captivating soundtrack, and strong thematic elements, creating an immersive experience that enhances player curiosity and engagement.
“The interesting visuals and strong atmosphere made me curious about the actual siren's call!”
“I quite enjoyed the soundtrack, atmosphere, and the writing.”
“Great vibes and atmosphere.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its genuine emotional depth and unique style, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of brief emotional visual novels. Reviewers express excitement for the developer's future projects.
“Shockingly emotionally genuine and enjoyably idiosyncratic; I'm excited to see where this developer goes from here.”
“Certainly worth picking up if you enjoy these kinds of brief, emotional visual novels.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
I'm unable to access external links, including YouTube. However, if you provide me with the text or key points from the reviews, I can help summarize the gameplay aspect for you!
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players note that grinding for achievements can be a significant part of the gameplay experience, with some expressing that it can feel tedious as they work towards completing all objectives.
“After a bit of gameplay and achievement grinding, I still don't have all of them yet.”
“The grinding feels endless and often tedious, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I find myself spending more time grinding for resources than actually enjoying the game.”
