The 257th Element

73%
Game Brain Score Based on 24 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
The 257th Element Game Cover
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In "The 257th Element," players navigate a futuristic Tokyo where a scientific experiment gone awry has led to the reanimation of individuals who had previously died. These "Araragi Humans" bring both hope and controversy to the society. The game revolves around Shinsei Shonogamigakuen High School and the mysterious Island Where Dreams Come True, both of which play significant roles in this thought-provoking narrative. This steam game promises a unique blend of science, mystery, and human drama.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

73%
Audience ScoreBased on 24 reviews
story5 positive mentions
gameplay3 negative mentions
  • The game features beautiful character designs and impressive graphics that enhance the overall experience.
  • The storyline is engaging and blends sci-fi elements with everyday life, providing a unique and refreshing narrative.
  • The music and sound design are well-crafted, with a variety of tracks that complement the game's atmosphere.
  • There are pacing issues and narrative contradictions that detract from the overall storytelling experience.
  • The main character lacks appeal and depth, making it difficult for players to connect with him.
  • Some players have noted technical issues that need to be addressed for a smoother gameplay experience.
  • story14 mentions

    The story of the game is described as engaging and intriguing, blending elements of science fiction, mystery, and fantasy with well-written characters and unexpected plot twists. While some players noted pacing issues and narrative contradictions, the overall narrative depth, rich worldbuilding, and the incorporation of scientific themes contribute to a captivating experience that keeps players hooked from the start. The potential for player-driven interactions and hidden lore further enhances the storytelling opportunities within the game.

    • “Thanks to several recommendations, I have found a sci-fi visual novel deep-rooted in the old fantastic yet unexpected adventures, full of drama, well-written characters, who unexpectedly find themselves in the middle of the yet-to-be-counted plot twists that this novel portrays.”
    • “Engaging storyline: the premise of the game is intriguing, blending elements of science fiction, mystery, and fantasy.”
    • “The main difference I found in this game is that it has a touch of scientific knowledge, because the story is about a new element and how it affects the daily life of the characters. This makes the story more dramatic and profound, getting hooked since the first hour I played.”
    • “I was able to play all the way past chapter 2, and what I have to say is that the story is okay; there are a lot of pacing mistakes and narrative contradictions. I'm looking forward to the voice acting, which may make this game more enjoyable, just to sit down and watch.”
    • “The main difference I found in this game is that it has a touch of scientific knowledge, because the story is about a new element and how it affects the daily life of the characters. This makes the story more dramatic and profound, getting me hooked since the first hour I played.”
    • “Exploring the experiences of these characters and their interactions with the protagonist could offer deep storytelling opportunities.”
  • gameplay7 mentions

    The gameplay in "the 257th element" features innovative mechanics that incorporate abstract concepts instead of traditional elements, enhancing player engagement through puzzles, quests, and crafting. Regular updates based on player feedback contribute to a continually improving experience, while intuitive controls allow for seamless enjoyment of the storytelling. Overall, the game promises a captivating and immersive experience.

    • “Players could engage with these elements through puzzles, quests, or crafting mechanics, allowing for diverse gameplay experiences.”
    • “Overall, 'The 257th Element' has the potential to be a captivating and immersive gaming experience, combining intriguing storytelling, rich worldbuilding, and engaging gameplay mechanics.”
    • “Feedback and iteration: regular updates and patches based on player feedback could improve the overall gameplay experience.”
    • “The game mechanics are intuitive, making it easier for me to fully enjoy the storytelling.”
    • “Gameplay mechanics: the inclusion of elements as abstract concepts rather than traditional atoms is an interesting twist.”
  • music6 mentions

    Overall, the music in the game receives positive feedback, with many praising its quality and how well it complements the gameplay. However, some users noted a desire for more variety in the soundtrack. The music is highlighted as a standout feature, with several players expressing interest in finding it on platforms like Spotify.

    • “The music is amazing, how can I find it on Spotify?”
    • “Great game, excellent graphics, 10/10 music and an excellent story.”
    • “I loved this game, the music is the first thing that attracted my attention, because of the variety of it and how each song matches perfectly with the situation in the game, the color palette is nice and the graphics are beautiful.”
    • “Nothing noteworthy to comment on the story, good art, good music.”
    • “Is there an OST available for purchase?”
  • graphics4 mentions

    The graphics in the game are widely praised for their imaginative visuals and high quality, effectively bringing the futuristic Tokyo and mysterious island to life. Coupled with an immersive sound design and a well-matched musical score, the overall aesthetic significantly enhances the player's experience.

    • “Visual and audio design: imaginative visuals and immersive sound design could enhance the player's experience, bringing the futuristic world of Tokyo and the mysterious island to life.”
    • “Great game, excellent graphics, 10/10 music and an excellent story.”
    • “I loved this game, the music is the first thing that attracted my attention, because of the variety of it and how each song matches perfectly with the situation in the game, the color palette is nice and the graphics are beautiful.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development in the game is highlighted by the introduction of Araragi humans, which adds suspense and provokes thought about identity and existence. Players are drawn in by engaging character designs and a refreshing story that incorporates unique sci-fi elements, enhancing their overall enjoyment.

    • “Character development: the introduction of Araragi humans adds an element of suspense and raises questions about identity and existence.”
    • “I came here with a recommendation and was not expecting much, but I'm really enjoying this game. From the beginning, I was hooked by the character design and, of course, the refreshing story and unique sci-fi touch.”
    • “Character development is lacking; the characters feel one-dimensional and their arcs are predictable.”
    • “The game fails to provide meaningful growth for its characters, making it hard to connect with them on any level.”
    • “I was disappointed by the character development; it felt rushed and superficial, leaving many potential storylines unexplored.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The game's humor is well-received, with players finding it genuinely funny, complemented by impressive artwork for both backgrounds and characters.

    • “Its humor is genuinely funny, and it features great art for backgrounds and characters as well.”
    • “The witty dialogue and clever puns kept me laughing throughout the game.”
    • “I love how the humor is seamlessly integrated into the gameplay, making every moment enjoyable.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere is characterized by vibrant colors and futuristic technology, complemented by immersive soundscapes that together create a captivating ambiance.

    • “Vibrant colors, futuristic technology, and atmospheric soundscapes create a captivating ambiance.”
    • “The immersive environment draws you in, making every moment feel alive and engaging.”
    • “The haunting melodies and intricate details of the surroundings evoke a sense of wonder and exploration.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Players highlight that meaningful choices and consequences significantly boost the game's replayability and immersion, encouraging them to explore different paths and outcomes in subsequent playthroughs.

    • “Player agency and choices: providing players with meaningful choices and consequences enhances replay value and immersion.”
    • “The variety of paths and outcomes keeps me coming back for more; every playthrough feels fresh and exciting.”
    • “With multiple endings and character builds, I find myself replaying the game to explore all the possibilities.”
    • “The game lacks meaningful choices, making replayability feel pointless.”
    • “Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to play again.”
    • “The lack of varied outcomes means that replaying the game feels like a chore rather than an adventure.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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