Sweetest Monster
- February 6, 2017
- ebi-hime
- 4h median play time
Get on Steam"Sweetest Monster" is a kinetic visual novel following Robin Hawkins, a man at a low point in his life. He meets Bell, a mysterious girl, whose appearance sparks a series of surreal and unsettling events. At 40k words, the game features custom art, an original soundtrack, and mature content including fanservice, nudity, and psychological horror. Written by the author of several notable VNs, it also includes a charming catgirl.
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- The writing is exceptionally well done, creating a compelling and thought-provoking story.
- The plot twist is shocking and leaves a lasting impression, making the reader reflect on the themes presented.
- The art style and music effectively enhance the unsettling atmosphere of the narrative.
- The story is quite short, which may leave some readers wanting more depth and development.
- Some readers may find the themes disturbing or uncomfortable, particularly regarding the relationships depicted.
- The lack of choices in the kinetic novel format may not appeal to those who prefer interactive storytelling.
- story803 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of "Sweetest Monster" is a dark and thought-provoking narrative that explores themes of obsession, infidelity, and the complexities of human relationships, particularly through the lens of a mid-life crisis. Many reviewers praised its well-crafted plot twists and emotional depth, though some found the content disturbing and unsettling, leading to mixed feelings about its impact. Overall, it is described as a gripping, atmospheric tale that leaves a lasting impression, albeit one that may not be suitable for all audiences due to its mature themes.
“Honestly a very well-written and thought-provoking story.”
“Atmospheric, gripping, and unsettling in all the right ways, with an ending I predicted but did not think the story would actually go through with.”
“The author's direction with the story and the way a lot of feelings are conveyed and captured in the novel are incredibly charming to me.”
“Perhaps that's the reason this story had such a sickening effect on me:(”
“The final plot twist was as repulsive as I have never experienced before. Even during that sex scene, I felt depressed that the main character remained weak, showing zero resistance at all.”
“So, I don't even know if I should recommend it. You know, reading this reminded me of horror films—those kinds of films that are not scary but repulsive when they frighten you by showing some gross content. I felt something similar here.”
- music150 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game is frequently praised for its ability to enhance the atmosphere, with many reviewers noting its haunting and captivating qualities that complement the visuals and narrative. While some found the soundtrack to be repetitive at times, it generally succeeded in setting the tone and immersing players in the experience. Overall, the music is considered a strong aspect of the game, contributing significantly to its emotional impact and ambiance.
“The music, atmosphere, and themes were great!”
“The music is excellent at setting the atmosphere and the sound effects are no exception, the two working together to keep you immersed in the moment.”
“Beautiful art, wonderful music, nice build up and amazing climax; what more can you ask for?”
“The music is very, very forgettable.”
“It's a short experience that should take you around 3 hours to finish, the music and the sound effects are far from great, but they can still complement the plot's atmosphere at times, especially when you factor in the budget constraints.”
“There is no voice acting, and the music is average.”
- graphics76 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful and distinctive art style, which combines a modern technique with an 80s animation aesthetic, creating a slightly eerie atmosphere that complements the story's themes. While some users noted inconsistencies in facial artwork, the overall visuals are described as haunting and fitting, enhancing the game's emotional depth without relying on graphic violence. The accompanying soundtrack is also highlighted as a strong element that enriches the visual experience.
“Very good art style that reminds me of animation of the 80s but with a modern technique.”
“Sweetest Monster displays an attractive yet slightly eerie art style.”
“What you have are beautiful visuals, haunting music, and realistic personalities.”
“I was a bit put off by the facial artwork, but this doesn't detract from the story.”
“The atmosphere of the game is very creepy and the art style is dark and gloomy.”
“And my personal thing, damn it, when the same team makes text and background graphics, when they are not best matches copypasted from chans or deviantart, then why do they contradict one another?”
- atmosphere40 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its gripping, unsettling, and immersive qualities, enhanced by a dreary color palette and haunting music that effectively complements the narrative. Reviewers highlight the art style and sound design as integral to creating a captivating and eerie environment, despite some noting occasional repetitiveness in the music. Overall, the combination of well-written characters, a compelling storyline, and atmospheric elements leaves a lasting impact, making it a memorable experience.
“Atmospheric, gripping, and unsettling in all the right ways, with an ending I predicted but did not think the story would actually go through with.”
“It has a well-paced, captivating storyline which blends in harmony with the soundtrack to create a haunting atmosphere.”
“The author does an excellent job of creating the atmosphere and feelings he intended, and there isn't a single bad thing I can say about it.”
“Amidst many others that focused on fan service or fantasies, the dreary color palette, the unsettling atmosphere, and the suspenseful and eerie music stood out to me.”
“The atmosphere of the game is very creepy and the art style is dark and gloomy.”
“It's a short experience that should take you around 3 hours to finish; the music and the sound effects are far from great, but they can still complement the plot's atmosphere at times, especially when you factor in the budget constraints.”
- emotional36 mentions
- 94 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game elicits a wide range of intense emotional responses, from horror and devastation to warmth and connection, particularly through the father-daughter relationship. Players describe it as an emotional rollercoaster, with a plot twist that leaves them feeling uncomfortable and challenged, ultimately provoking deep reflection on the narrative's themes. Despite some criticism of the twist potentially undermining the story's depth, the immersive writing and atmospheric settings are praised for their ability to evoke strong feelings.
“A heartwarming tale of a father and daughter coming together to build a bond of trust in a meaningful relationship like Joel and Ellie.”
“The daughter begins the story as troubled and depressed, and the father reaches out and comforts her in a touching scene.”
“The novel was an emotional rollercoaster; it's not your typical happy romance visual novel, the story made me feel quite a lot.”
- gameplay9 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The gameplay is minimal and primarily revolves around immersing oneself in a linear narrative, with no branching paths or significant mechanics; players simply press a button to advance the story. Those seeking traditional gameplay elements may find this experience lacking, as the focus is entirely on the storytelling rather than interactive mechanics.
“It's like a Lovecraft story in that way, the mechanics aren't important, the happenings are.”
“Mechanics: a true linear visual novel, so... none, no branching stories, just one well-written one.”
“Gameplay itself is nonexistent - you simply immerse yourself in the story.”
“If you want gameplay... go somewhere else.”
“There is nothing else though, as the only gameplay involved is pressing a button to continue the story.”
- humor6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's humor is characterized as dark and absurd, often eliciting laughter through its outrageous phrases and scenarios, such as "you can't unfuck that catgirl." While it addresses serious themes like infidelity and depression, the writing maintains a high standard, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking. Players have enjoyed sharing the experience with friends, leading to memorable and humorous discussions.
“Despite some typos here and there, the writing is of a high standard; it's a darkly humorous drama with supernatural undertones that tackles difficult themes such as infidelity, depression, and things far more disturbing.”
“So I played through the game together with a friend; we were both sitting in front of my PC, playing, discussing, and laughing our asses off.”
“I described my experience of playing this to some friends and now they are wary of everything I will ever recommend, and we spent an evening laughing over the phrase 'you can't unfuck that catgirl.'”
- character development2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight strong character development, indicating that the characters are well-crafted and evolve meaningfully throughout the game.
“The character development is exceptional, allowing players to truly connect with the characters and their journeys.”
“I was impressed by the depth of character development; each character feels unique and evolves in meaningful ways throughout the game.”
“The game excels in character development, providing rich backstories and growth that enhance the overall narrative experience.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is a kinetic novel, which inherently limits its replayability; however, it compensates for this with a compelling story that effectively utilizes tension.
“Sure, it's a kinetic novel and as such has no replayability, but it's a strong story that makes good use of tension.”
