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
- Absolutely visceral writing that plays on deep emotions, making the player feel the protagonist's descent into depravity.
- Engaging character dynamics and development, particularly with Robin's complex relationships with his wife and daughter.
- A shocking and well-executed plot twist that leaves a lasting impression, making the story memorable.
- The story can be disturbing and unsettling, which may not be suitable for all players.
- Some players may find the pacing slow at the beginning, leading to a less engaging start.
- The lack of choices in the kinetic novel format may disappoint those looking for interactivity.
- story402 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of "Sweetest Monster" is a dark and unsettling exploration of mid-life crisis, obsession, and the complexities of familial relationships, featuring a gripping narrative that culminates in a shocking plot twist. While the characters are often unlikable, their depth and the emotional weight of the story resonate strongly, leaving a lasting impression on players. The writing is praised for its ability to evoke discomfort and introspection, making it a compelling yet disturbing experience that diverges from typical visual novel tropes.
“The plot and characters had surprising depth given the novel's relatively short runtime!”
“I loved the character dynamics in this novel, and especially loved how they felt and acted more real and true to how their character traits are supposed to be, instead of the usual convenient anime protagonist turning into a completely new person when the plot calls for it.”
“The storytelling is very nice though, and the plot is intriguing.”
“This story deserves to be completely unspoiled, so I can’t say much about it.”
“The story is vague and unrealistic.”
“The plot twist (I personally feel) made me feel bad for all the wrong reasons, and suddenly the story arc is shattered.”
- music75 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the atmosphere, with many reviewers noting its fitting, haunting quality that complements the visuals and narrative themes. While some found the soundtrack to be repetitive at times, it generally received high marks for its emotional impact and ability to create a captivating ambiance. Overall, the combination of music, art, and writing is seen as a strong point of the experience, contributing to both the enjoyment and unsettling nature of the story.
“The musical selection was fantastic and really fit the dark and dreary color scheme and theme of the novel.”
“The music, atmosphere, and themes were great!”
“The music does a fantastic job striking this cutoff as if bipolar, almost symbolic of Robin's inner thoughts as he struggles to sustain his relationships.”
“The music is very, very forgettable.”
“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.”
“The music was passable.”
- graphics39 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a unique and appealing art style that blends anime aesthetics with a slightly desaturated, eerie quality, effectively complementing the game's themes. While some players found the facial artwork less appealing, the overall visuals are praised for their beauty and atmospheric fit with the narrative, creating a haunting experience enhanced by a fitting soundtrack. The art style is noted for its distinctiveness, reminiscent of 80s animation but executed with modern techniques, contributing to the game's emotional depth without relying on graphic violence.
“The artwork is beautiful, yet carries an air of creepiness to it.”
“Sweetest monster displays an attractive yet slightly eerie art style.”
“The aesthetic fits with the story, with dark backdrops in the moments of mystery and unease, but brightly colored settings in the places where Robin feels most comfortable.”
“It's got an anime-ish aesthetic, but everything's a little desaturated and uncanny.”
“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.”
- atmosphere20 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its gripping, unsettling qualities, enhanced by a dreary color palette and haunting music that effectively immerses players in the story. Reviewers highlight the combination of beautiful art, well-crafted soundtracks, and compelling narratives that create a captivating and sometimes eerie experience. Despite some critiques of repetitiveness in the music, the overall ambiance is described as intense and emotionally resonant, contributing significantly to the game's impact.
“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 atmosphere in the plot involves a lot of rain and nights, with the music fitting the mood really well.”
“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.”
- emotional18 mentions
- 94 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is described as a powerful rollercoaster, eliciting a wide range of feelings from horror and discomfort to heartwarming moments of connection, particularly between a father and daughter. Reviewers noted the immersive storytelling and impactful plot twists that provoke strong reactions, though some felt that these twists undermined the emotional depth of the narrative. Overall, the game successfully engages players on an emotional level, leaving them with lasting impressions of both sorrow and intensity.
“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.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The gameplay is minimal, primarily consisting of a linear visual novel experience where players engage with a single, well-written narrative by simply pressing a button to advance the story. There are no branching paths or interactive mechanics, making it more of an immersive storytelling experience than a traditional game.
“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.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's humor is characterized by its dark and irreverent tone, often eliciting laughter even while addressing serious themes like infidelity and depression. Players have found themselves sharing memorable phrases and enjoying the comedic moments, making it a source of both entertainment and discussion among friends.
“I described my experience of playing this to some friends, and now they are wary of everything I will ever recommend. We spent an evening laughing over the phrase 'you can't unfuck that catgirl.'”
“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.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight strong character development, indicating that characters are well-crafted and undergo meaningful growth throughout the game.
“The character development in this game is exceptional, allowing players to truly connect with the characters and their journeys.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the story, making their growth feel authentic and impactful.”
“The depth of character development adds layers to the narrative, making every decision feel significant.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is a kinetic novel, which inherently limits its replayability; however, its compelling story and effective use of tension provide a strong experience that may encourage players to revisit it for the narrative alone.
“Sure, it's a kinetic novel and as such has no replayability, but it's a strong story that makes good use of tension.”
