The House in Fata Morgana

About

"The House in Fata Morgana" is a narrative-driven game where you explore a cursed mansion across different eras. In 1603, you witness the strife between the Rhodes siblings, and in 1707, you encounter a beast yearning for serenity amidst ruin. With each door, uncover tragic tales of the mansion's residents, searching for clues about your own identity. This atmospheric visual novel combines elements of mystery and horror to explore themes of abuse, identity, and desire for connection.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,015 reviews

story1.1k positive mentions

grinding20 negative mentions

Incredible storytelling with deep, complex characters that evoke a wide range of emotions.
Beautiful art style and hauntingly atmospheric soundtrack that enhance the overall experience.
Masterfully crafted narrative that intertwines multiple tragic tales, leading to a satisfying and impactful conclusion.

Pacing issues, especially in the early chapters, can make the story feel slow and drawn out.
Limited interactivity and choices, which may disappoint players looking for a more traditional gaming experience.
Some dialogue can be overly verbose, leading to moments of repetition that detract from the immersion.

story
3,160 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
64%
2%
The story of "The House in Fata Morgana" is widely praised as a masterclass in narrative, weaving together multiple tragic tales across centuries that explore themes of love, loss, and redemption. Reviewers highlight its emotional depth, complex characters, and unexpected plot twists, often describing it as one of the best stories they've ever encountered in any medium. While some note pacing issues and a slow start, the overall consensus is that the story's intricate structure and haunting atmosphere create a profoundly impactful experience that resonates long after completion.
- “The best story I've experienced across any medium of fiction, just play it.”
- “This story is a tragedy connecting three seemingly different stories together and building up one of arguably the best casts I've ever laid eyes upon. I doubt I'll have the pleasure of reading a story like this again any time soon, so I will say thank you to Novect for this amazing masterpiece.”
- “The story is a masterclass in gothic fiction, weaving together multiple timelines and characters into a cohesive and emotionally charged tapestry.”
- “At several points in the story, I started wondering why I'm reading something that feels like it belongs in a rom-com rather than a mystery or a darker work.”
- “The game's approach to revealing important characters' backstory are info dumps - you won't get them piece by piece with an opportunity to fit the pieces together yourself in the meantime.”
- “The 1st door story was so unimaginably bad, illogical and all over the place already, that by the 4th I kinda assumed the game ultimately would be about telling some fairy tale grade stories and then allowing to rewrite them into something realistic and humane.”
music
1,414 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
44%
2%
The music in "The House in Fata Morgana" is widely praised for its haunting beauty and emotional depth, significantly enhancing the storytelling experience. Many reviewers highlight the soundtrack's unique blend of genres and languages, particularly its use of Portuguese, which adds a distinctive flavor to the game. While some tracks are noted to be repetitive or less appealing, the overall consensus is that the music is a standout feature, contributing to the game's immersive atmosphere and emotional impact.
- “The soundtrack is a standout feature, with haunting melodies and evocative compositions that enhance every emotional beat of the narrative.”
- “The music is captivating.”
- “The music, the art, and the writing is beautiful and I cannot recommend this visual novel enough.”
- “I don't like the music, the dialogue rambles on endlessly about nothing and there's not any kind of hook at the start to make me even a little bit interested.”
- “First you have to get through the first and worst part that has probably the worst music as well.”
- “The music is horrendous, the writing is absolutely cheesy, I just can't anymore.”
graphics
500 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
54%
1%
The graphics of "The House in Fata Morgana" are widely praised for their stunning, gothic art style that diverges from typical anime aesthetics, offering a unique and hauntingly beautiful visual experience. The artwork, characterized by detailed backgrounds and expressive character designs, effectively complements the game's dark themes and emotional storytelling, while the accompanying soundtrack enhances the overall atmosphere. However, some players noted inconsistencies in background quality and found the art style initially off-putting, though many grew to appreciate its originality and depth as they progressed through the narrative.
- “The art style perfectly captures the gothic atmosphere, with detailed backgrounds and expressive character designs that bring the story to life.”
- “Everything from the hauntingly beautiful soundtrack to the detailed and expressive artwork, not to mention the incredibly well-written dialogue, comes together to form a work that I can call nothing short of a masterpiece.”
- “The artwork is stunning, the costumes especially were beautiful.”
- “The graphics are made for the old school resolution of 800x600 (even though the game came out in 2010), only the main characters have sprites, the backgrounds are heavily filtered photos.”
- “What this means is that most of the time the reader will be presented with an endless stream of depressing and graphically brutal content, often missing any sort of convincing delivery behind the suffering of the characters.”
- “At times I disliked the retention of the photographic realism, as it felt too different to the sprites which are quite heavily influenced by their anime style, but at other times I did like the backgrounds where they were simpler and less busy.”
emotional
464 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "The House in Fata Morgana" is overwhelmingly powerful, with many players reporting profound experiences that left them in tears. The narrative intricately weaves themes of love, loss, and human suffering, often leading to intense emotional investment in the characters and their journeys. While some found the emotional weight exhausting, the majority praised its ability to evoke a wide range of feelings, making it a standout example of emotional storytelling in visual novels.
- “I cried so much when I finished this game.”
- “The house in Fata Morgana is a really well-written novel with incredibly dynamic characters and emotional moments.”
- “This game is incredibly emotional; it touched me deeply and I would recommend the experience to anyone.”
atmosphere
216 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
43%
1%
The atmosphere of "The House in Fata Morgana" is widely praised for its haunting, gothic quality, enhanced by a unique art style and an evocative soundtrack that immerses players in its dark, emotional narrative. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a rich, oppressive ambiance that complements its character-driven stories, making it a standout experience in the visual novel genre. Despite some pacing issues, the overall atmosphere captivates players, drawing them into a world filled with beauty, dread, and complex human emotions.
- “The art style perfectly captures the gothic atmosphere, with detailed backgrounds and expressive character designs that bring the story to life.”
- “There is an absolutely haunting atmosphere permeating the entirety of this experience, dread seeps in from every corner, there are twists upon twists upon twists and they all feel as darkly apocalyptic as they do logical and consistent, but this story does not wallow in misery, there is genuine beauty to be found here, empathy and camaraderie, love and hope.”
- “The music and art fit this game to a tee, creating just the right atmosphere for the kind of tales being told.”
- “The house in Fata Morgana has some very annoying aspects to it, and is inconsistent in the quality of its delivery; however, it is still an excellent example of a visual novel that focuses on delivering atmosphere through its high-quality writing and attention to detail.”
- “So, the overall game’s atmosphere is very dark, with numerous depressing scenes.”
- “There are also a few cases where attempts at comedy ruin the atmosphere, again particularly in the final door.”
gameplay
102 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
86%
6%
The gameplay in "The House in Fata Morgana" is largely minimal, typical of visual novels, focusing primarily on reading and dialogue choices with very few impactful mechanics. Players can expect a lengthy experience, often described as akin to reading a novel, with limited interactivity and a linear story progression. While some players appreciate the narrative depth, many criticize the lack of engaging gameplay elements and the frustrating choice mechanics that can lead to abrupt game overs.
- “As far as gameplay is concerned, if you happen to have no experience playing visual novels (like I did before playing this), you may be relieved to find that the story branching is very minimal and relatively easy to follow, at least compared to what I believe normal visual novels are supposed to be like.”
- “I say it because this is the most 'novel-like' visual novel I have ever played, both narratively and mechanically.”
- “The gameplay is definitely an experience more like reading a long novel, with an added great soundtrack and gorgeous art style.”
- “It's very long, there's very little gameplay, and honestly very little art in general.”
- “The gameplay is limited and it's a linear story.”
- “Gameplay is basically non-existent outside of dialogue choices that are few and far between.”
character development
66 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
43%
5%
Character development in the game is widely praised for its depth and intricacy, with many reviewers noting that characters evolve significantly throughout the story, revealing layers of complexity and personal conflicts. The narrative is structured to build and pay off character arcs effectively, often leading to emotional moments that resonate with players. While some dialogue may feel repetitive, the overall character development is considered a standout feature, making it a compelling experience for fans of drama and romance.
- “The character development, the storyline progression, and the intertwined fates of all of them really had me hooked.”
- “Each and every character has layers of depth to them, a lot of character development in multiple different chapters and multiple different ways.”
- “The character development is simply magnificent, definitely a must-buy if you like this genre.”
- “By the final chapter of the story, I was constantly tapping the space bar to skip dialogue that was repetitive and also provided no character development or motivations beyond 'these characters love each other.'”
- “Some parts can feel like they are dragging on, but the character development benefits from it.”
- “Realistic character development.”
humor
48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its sharp contrasts, often blending genuinely funny moments with deeply tragic lore, creating an emotional rollercoaster for players. While there are instances of lightheartedness and clever fourth-wall breaking, particularly in the bonus backstage episode, the overall tone leans heavily towards melodrama, leaving players with more poignant reflections than laughter. Despite some humorous dialogue and likable characters, the game primarily evokes a mix of laughter and tears, making it a unique and intense experience.
- “There were times where this game was genuinely funny right before it tore your heart to absolute shreds, and I love it for that so much.”
- “If you enjoy your more lighthearted, fourth-wall breaking humor and calling out of tropes, the game does have that in the form of the bonus backstage episode, which is like dev commentary of the game where all the characters get together and discuss the plot and characters while cracking all the jokes that would ruin the main plot.”
- “Once you finish the game properly, you’ll get access to a quite humorous and fourth-wall breaking tour in the extra menu.”
grinding
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews highlight that while the game features a compelling story and captivating music, the grinding aspect can be tedious, particularly due to slow pacing and repetitive dialogue. Some players found the initial experience frustrating, but many noted that perseverance leads to a rewarding narrative, suggesting that those who enjoy visual novels may overlook the grind for the overall experience. Adjusting text speed and using auto-play options are recommended to mitigate the tedium during longer sessions.
- “Maybe I should have persevered, but after 71 minutes the repetitive dialogue became tedious, and I gave up.”
- “This slowed the plot's progression down even further and made it tedious to read, especially since the previous sections (which were already slow) were at least focused on different characters, which gave a feeling of novelty that was lost the second time around.”
- “I'd recommend tweaking the text speed and page turn delay and using auto if you want to avoid the clicking just to advance, which can get tedious during longer sessions, something I discovered only towards the end.”
optimization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The optimization of the game is noted for its ability to create an immersive experience, making the text and 2D models feel like a live-action performance. While some players find this overwhelming, it is generally regarded as a positive aspect that enhances character focus and engagement.
- “The characters are the main focus for me personally, and I find it utterly overwhelming (not to say unwelcome) how the novel can at times feel like a live-action performance, regardless of being made up of text and 2D models.”
- “Today performance is called 'the house in fata morgana'.”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
50%
Overall, the game offers good replay value due to its numerous twists and hidden hints that enhance the experience upon subsequent playthroughs. However, some players feel that certain elements may limit replayability, suggesting a mixed reception in this aspect.
- “Overall very good replay value.”
- “While this diminishes replayability, it is enjoyable to replay as there are many different twists in the game, and playing a second time allows you to notice all the hints!”
- “The game offers minimal replay value.”
- “There is hardly any incentive to replay the game.”
- “Once you finish it, there's little reason to go back.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
Overall, users report that the game's stability is generally solid, with only a few minor graphical glitches occurring during saving or loading processes.
- “There are a few minor graphical glitches when saving or loading.”
- “I encountered a few minor graphical glitches when saving or loading.”
- “The game has a few minor graphical glitches during the saving and loading process.”