The Ouroboros Express

About

The Ouroboros Express is a single player casual role playing game. It was developed by Small Loan Studio and was released on December 12, 2024. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

A majestic train rolls in from the impossible, roiling fog. A charismatic train conductor steps out and welcomes you on. Are the other passengers just some eccentric rich people, or could there be something more? And why do you get the feeling that the conductor is hiding something? There's only one way to find out. All aboard... Are you ready to uncover their secrets?Play as Vivienne Sans…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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79%

Audience ScoreBased on 14 reviews

humor2 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

The game features a unique setting on a luxury train with colorful characters and thought-provoking themes, balanced with humor and romance.
The voice acting is excellent, adding depth to the well-defined characters, and the artwork is aesthetically pleasing.
It's a free game that offers replayability with branching dialogue and multiple endings, making it engaging for players.

The story can feel slow and lacks a compelling mystery, leading to moments of boredom and disengagement.
Some characters may come off as shallow, and the writing has been criticized for being cliché and unoriginal.
Accessibility options for issues like flashing lights are unclear, which may deter some players from fully enjoying the game.

story
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
The story in this visual novel is criticized for being dull and lacking depth, failing to engage players despite its potential for immersive storytelling. While the dialogue is well-crafted and character-driven, the narrative primarily revolves around romance rather than mystery, making it more suitable for those seeking a dating sim experience rather than a compelling visual novel.
- “I didn't use this option the first playthrough to keep the experience as immersive as possible, but it really came in handy on subsequent playthroughs at times when I was trying to see more of the story options.”
- “Dialogue lines are carefully crafted to suit each character and augment the story.”
- “I wouldn’t know because the story is so mind-numbingly boring it’s hard to care.”
- “Despite being mysterious, there isn't much mystery to solve; things are just explained as time goes on, and most of the story is romance-based by the end.”
- “Would recommend if you are looking for a dating sim with a mysterious story, not a visual novel where you solve a mystery.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The game's humor is characterized by a unique blend of quirky, colorful characters and a mix of thought-provoking themes, balancing humor with romance. While some find the humor to be more bizarre than clever, others appreciate the amusing elements, particularly the handmade drawings and historical references that add to the fun. Overall, the humor is seen as a distinctive aspect that enhances the game's charm.
- “Unique setting with colorful characters that takes on heavy, thought-provoking themes with a perfect balance of humor and romance.”
- “I find this game very fun and amusing so far, especially the handmade drawings, plot, and funny historical references.”
- “It's not clever, it's not funny, it's just weird.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
The game's replayability is mixed; while it features branching dialogue and multiple endings that encourage revisiting, some players feel that once a route is completed, the incentive to replay diminishes unless revisited after some time.
- “Branching dialogue and several endings, so it's very replayable.”
- “Having finished one route, I'm not sure how much replay value there really is in this game, unless it's left in your game library and you go back to it later.”
- “Once you've completed the main storyline, there's little incentive to replay the game, as the choices feel limited and don't significantly alter the experience.”
- “The lack of meaningful choices and consequences makes replaying the game feel more like a chore than an enjoyable experience.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers highlight the strong character designs, indicating that the visual representation of characters contributes positively to their overall development and appeal.
- “The character development is incredibly deep, allowing players to form a genuine connection with each character.”
- “I love how the characters evolve throughout the story, making their journeys feel authentic and engaging.”
- “The backstories and personal growth of each character add layers to the narrative, making every decision feel impactful.”
graphics
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's graphics are highly praised for their excellent artwork and well-defined character sprites that complement the characters, along with aesthetically pleasing backdrops featuring trains and diverse passengers. Additionally, the inclusion of full voice acting enhances the visual experience.
- “The game is well put together; the artwork is excellent, the character sprites are well defined to suit the characters, and they are fully voiced.”
- “The aesthetically pleasing backdrops of the train and the different passengers create an immersive experience.”
music
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music and sound design effectively enhance immersion, drawing players into the game's surreal and otherworldly environment.
- “The music and sound design do a great job of immersing the player in this bizarre setting beyond the normal plane of existence.”