Tales of the Black Forest

About

Tales of the Black Forest is a single player role playing game with a horror theme. It was developed by 拾英工作室 and was released on September 25, 2019. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"Tales of the Black Forest" is a narrative-driven adventure game set in a dark and mystical forest. Players uncover secrets and make choices that affect the story's outcome, while encountering strange creatures and solving puzzles. The game features hand-drawn art and a hauntingly beautiful original soundtrack.

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Play Modes

Single-Player

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97%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,077 reviews

story459 positive mentions

grinding4 negative mentions

The story is beautifully written and emotionally engaging, with well-developed characters that resonate with players.
The pixel art style and atmospheric soundtrack create a captivating and immersive experience.
The game effectively blends elements of Japanese folklore with real-life historical events, providing depth and intrigue.

The gameplay is minimal, with simple puzzles and a lack of complex mechanics, making it feel more like a visual novel than a traditional RPG.
Some players found the pacing uneven, with certain sections feeling slow or bogged down by excessive dialogue.
The translation has occasional grammatical errors and awkward phrasing, which can detract from the overall experience.

story
875 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
47%
1%
The story of "Tales of the Black Forest" is widely praised for its depth, emotional resonance, and engaging narrative, which intertwines elements of Japanese folklore with real-life events, particularly the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin attack. Players appreciate the well-developed characters and the intricate plot twists that keep them invested throughout the game, despite some noting that the pacing can be slow due to extensive dialogue. Overall, the game is recommended for those who enjoy story-driven experiences, with many reviewers highlighting its beautiful art style and atmospheric soundtrack as complementary to the storytelling.
- “Tales of the Black Forest is an atmospheric narrative adventure that skillfully blends elements of Japanese folklore with psychological horror, creating a unique experience that resonates deeply with fans of story-driven games.”
- “The narrative’s heavy reliance on Japanese mythology and its rich cast of supernatural creatures, known as yōkai, infuses the story with cultural depth and a compelling mystique that draws players into its haunting world.”
- “The story is beautiful and emotional, probably the best aspect of the game.”
- “The story is clean, straightforward and leaves you wanting for more.”
- “I found the storyline confusing, and some characters had unrealistic motivations and reactions.”
- “The whole thing is just story, and I didn't even find the story particularly good.”
music
196 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
44%
2%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the overall experience, with many players noting its emotional depth and atmospheric qualities that align perfectly with the game's themes. The soundtrack is described as beautiful and immersive, effectively setting the tone for both light-hearted and intense moments, although some players found it to be somewhat generic or lacking in variety. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's storytelling and emotional impact.
- “The haunting soundtrack complements the game’s themes perfectly, providing a sonic backdrop that heightens tension and accentuates emotional moments.”
- “The music is breathtaking; I could easily listen to the soundtrack for hours on end.”
- “Everything—the music, the puzzles, and the narrative—blends together so well that it creates a cozy yet immersive journey.”
- “I started this game and finished half of chapter 1 and stopped playing it as I couldn't vibe with the game's visuals, horror settings, the story, and the music.”
- “A few times I felt like I was about to cry, but the music put me out of the moment and ruined the atmosphere for me.”
- “The pixel art is weak, the soundtrack is dull, the world is lifeless.”
emotional
132 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its masterful storytelling, which combines heartwarming and haunting elements, often leaving players in tears. The effective use of music, lighting, and character development enhances the emotional weight of the narrative, creating a captivating experience that resonates deeply with players. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to evoke a wide range of emotions, from joy to sadness, making it a memorable and touching adventure.
- “The haunting soundtrack complements the game’s themes perfectly, providing a sonic backdrop that heightens tension and accentuates emotional moments.”
- “Overall, Tales of the Black Forest is a captivating and emotionally resonant adventure that masterfully combines folklore and psychological horror.”
- “The storytelling, characters' facial expressions, and the appropriate background music make this game stand out as a memorable and emotional adventure game.”
graphics
118 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
46%
3%
The graphics of "Tales of the Black Forest" feature a charming pixel art style that evokes nostalgia and complements the game's atmospheric storytelling. While some players appreciate the simplicity and aesthetic appeal, others feel it may not satisfy those seeking modern, detailed visuals. Overall, the pixel art effectively enhances the immersive experience, making it a delightful choice for fans of the genre.
- “Visually, Tales of the Black Forest adopts a pixel art style that brings a nostalgic charm while effectively conveying the mood and atmosphere of the game.”
- “The pixel artwork is adorable and the soundtrack is excellent.”
- “Every pixel and every animation is meticulously crafted, and the game's visuals are stunningly beautiful.”
- “When I first played it, I was expecting a fan-service filled, cheap-scare horror game with poor graphics.”
- “I appreciate the style of the game, but some of the graphics and certain aspects of the gameplay felt rather strange and uninteresting.”
- “I started this game and finished half of chapter 1 and stopped playing it as I couldn't vibe with the game's visuals, horror settings, the story, and the music.”
gameplay
112 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
67%
4%
The gameplay is primarily narrative-driven, resembling a visual novel with minimal mechanics, focusing on dialogue and character interaction. While some players appreciate the emotional depth and storytelling, many find the gameplay simplistic, with easy puzzles and limited interactivity, which may not satisfy those seeking more complex mechanics. Overall, the game is best suited for those who prioritize story over gameplay.
- “The gameplay is predominantly narrative-driven, leaning heavily into visual novel mechanics with an emphasis on dialogue and character interaction.”
- “Despite its minor flaws, the game's beautiful art, engaging gameplay, and rich narrative make it a journey worth undertaking.”
- “The gameplay is intuitive, the story (which weaves three distinct chapters together) is compelling, and the pace is excellent.”
- “The weak points are the puzzles (there is only one puzzle in the game that takes a little more than 10 seconds to solve) and the minimal gameplay.”
- “Additionally, those expecting more complex gameplay may find the game’s simplicity a limitation, as it prioritizes narrative over mechanics.”
- “Do not expect much gameplay except for walking/running and interacting with objects in the world; there are also some puzzles but those are very simple to figure out.”
atmosphere
73 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
79%
17%
4%
The atmosphere in "Tales of the Black Forest" is widely praised for its immersive blend of pixel art, ambient sounds, and a haunting soundtrack that effectively conveys both spooky and heartwarming moments. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a captivating environment that enhances its narrative, with many noting the successful integration of Japanese folklore and psychological horror elements. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered a standout feature, making it a memorable experience for players who appreciate atmospheric storytelling.
- “Tales of the Black Forest, developed by the indie studio 拾英工作室 and published by Sakuragame, is an atmospheric narrative adventure that skillfully blends elements of Japanese folklore with psychological horror, creating a unique experience that resonates deeply with fans of story-driven games.”
- “Ambient sounds like rustling leaves, distant whispers, and other subtle environmental noises contribute to the immersive atmosphere, making the forest feel alive and ominous.”
- “The way this game establishes atmosphere is also great; it can be really unsettling when it needs to and really heartwarming as well, the environments you traverse are all unique and varied.”
- “Although the atmosphere was a little bit heavy, I don't consider this a horror game at all; instead, the story and the dialogues of the characters are really moving.”
- “A few times I felt like I was about to cry, but the music put me out of the moment and ruined the atmosphere for me (but sometimes the soundtrack is pretty good too).”
- “My personal biggest gripe is the dissonance between the atmosphere and what's happening at the moment.”
character development
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
30%
30%
Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while many players appreciate the charming and well-designed characters, some feel that there is a lack of significant growth or depth in their arcs. The backgrounds and plot twists contribute to a melancholic tone, enhancing the overall experience, but the limited character development may leave some players wanting more. Overall, the character designs and sprite work are praised for their cuteness and personality, adding to the game's appeal.
- “The plot twists and the character development, especially their backgrounds, are what truly give this game its essence and melancholic tone.”
- “From immersive storytelling to lovely character designs and beautiful music; from start to finish, it never stopped to amaze me.”
- “Limited character development: while the characters are charming and well-written, some players have noted a lack of significant character development throughout the game.”
- “Limited character development: while the characters are charming and well-written, some players have noted a lack of significant character development throughout the game.”
- “The character designs and sprite work are neat and add a fair amount of personality to the characters and game.”
replayability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
37%
25%
"Tales of the Black Forest" features multiple endings influenced by player choices, enhancing its replay value and narrative depth. While some players find it solid for a single playthrough, opinions on its overall replayability vary, with ratings ranging from moderate to high.
- “Tales of the Black Forest offers multiple endings based on the player's choices, adding replay value and depth to the story.”
- “Infinitely replayable (or almost).”
- “Length and replayability.”
- “Not sure really about replayability, but for just a one-time playthrough, Tales of the Black Forest is extremely solid.”
- “Maybe not so high for replayability, but it was worth the couple of hours.”
grinding
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
14%
57%
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is generally viewed as tedious and unengaging, with some players finding it a chore rather than a rewarding experience. While the game offers a story-rich adventure, the grinding elements detract from the overall enjoyment, leading some to seek refunds due to the lack of compelling gameplay.
- “It's not too tedious on the puzzle and the suspense was always there.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “I found its shortness a blessing, because it was pretty boring and tedious compared to literally every other game of its type I've ever played.”
- “If you are interested in a story-rich adventure game and the gameplay looks appealing to you, I'd recommend this game; just be prepared for a simultaneously satisfying and yet tedious ending.”
- “All in all, in 1.5 hours it felt very tedious and the story did not become interesting enough to keep playing. I decided it's better to get a refund than hope for it to become any better.”
humor
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a standout feature, seamlessly woven into a storyline that combines horror, adventure, and mystery. Players appreciate the quirky characters and their interactions, which provide both comedic and poignant moments, enhancing the overall experience. Engaging with the dialogues and clues is essential, as it enriches the narrative and reveals the game's humorous highlights.
- “The storyline itself is remarkable, blending elements of horror, adventure, and mystery with a generous dose of humor and charismatic encounters.”
- “I really felt myself enjoying their company and laughing with their large amount of quirks and traits that made them feel individual.”
- “Scary at times but also funny and intriguing as you progress.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
Overall, optimization feedback is mixed; while some users report minor performance issues even on high-end systems, others praise "Tales of the Black Forest" as a well-optimized indie adventure that runs smoothly and offers an engaging experience.
- “Tales of the Black Forest is a solid, well-optimized, and fascinating indie adventure, one that can easily be a must-play if you like a great story, fantastically translated dialogues, and intriguing characters.”
- “I've experienced slight performance issues in some scenes even with gaming specs, but it's nothing much.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
Overall, players report mixed experiences regarding stability, with some encountering technical glitches and bugs that impact gameplay. However, others have completed the game without significant issues, indicating that stability may vary among users.
- “Technical glitches: A few players have encountered technical glitches and bugs that detract from the overall experience.”
- “This game has an awesome story and amazing background music, but I completed the game with all achievements in 6 hours and 30 minutes (Steam is a bit buggy with playtime).”

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7h Median play time

8h Average play time

5-10h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 7 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Tales of the Black Forest is a role playing game with horror theme.

Tales of the Black Forest is available on PC and Windows.

On average players spend around 8 hours playing Tales of the Black Forest.

Tales of the Black Forest was released on September 25, 2019.

Tales of the Black Forest was developed by 拾英工作室.

Tales of the Black Forest has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Tales of the Black Forest is a single player game.

Similar games include Rakuen, The Cat Lady, Detention, DISTRAINT, What Remains of Edith Finch and others.

Tales of the Black Forest

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