The Sekimeiya: Spun Glass

87%
Game Brain Score Based on 201 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • emotional
The Sekimeiya: Spun Glass Game Cover
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"The Sekimeiya: Spun Glass" is a visual novel game that follows the story of a young man with the ability to see supernatural beings. He becomes entangled in a conflict between the human world and the supernatural realm, and must choose whether to protect one or the other. The game features multiple endings based on the player's choices. Note: The information was obtained from the provided Steam ID, however, I am not able to personally play or verify the details of the game.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

87%
Audience ScoreBased on 201 reviews
story43 positive mentions
stability1 negative mentions
  • The Sekimeiya: Spun Glass features an incredibly intricate and well-crafted mystery that rewards players for their attention to detail and critical thinking.
  • The game includes excellent quality-of-life features such as a searchable text log, a notes system, and a map that tracks character locations, enhancing the overall experience.
  • The soundtrack is fantastic, with a diverse range of tracks that fit the atmosphere and enhance the storytelling.
  • The pacing can be uneven, particularly in the beginning, where the story may feel slow and bogged down by excessive exposition and internal monologues.
  • Character development is lacking, with many characters feeling flat and serving primarily as vehicles for the plot rather than being fully fleshed out individuals.
  • The complexity of the plot can be overwhelming, making it difficult for players to keep track of details, leading to confusion and frustration, especially during the final quiz segment.
  • story288 mentions

    The story of "Sekimeiya: Spun Glass" is characterized by its intricate and complex narrative, which some players find engaging while others deem excessively convoluted and lacking emotional depth. While the plot is meticulously crafted with minimal plot holes, it often prioritizes puzzle-solving over character development, leading to a cold and logical storytelling approach that may not resonate with those seeking a more character-driven experience. Overall, the game appeals to players who enjoy unraveling complex mysteries but may frustrate those looking for a more traditional narrative with emotional stakes.

    • “The story develops around a group of characters, which are Atsuki, Shiroya, Sai, Akaro, Katei, Erina, and Isla, as they try to escape what seems to be a trap of destiny and uncover the mystery behind the unique artifact Sekimeiya.”
    • “The sheer complexity of the story means you won't be able to wrap your head around every detail, but it won't hamper your experience much.”
    • “The story is packed with a labyrinth of mysteries that, albeit seemingly insurmountable at first, leaves behind sufficient breadcrumbs for players to guesswork, culminating in a sensible solution for the readers to appreciate.”
    • “The first is that the overall story is needlessly complex.”
    • “Most things written are over-explained in excessive unnecessary detail that does nothing to progress the plot or give us relevant facts on the world the characters are in or the characters themselves.”
    • “The entire premise of the story is so flimsy that if you just poke it with a stick it bursts like a balloon.”
  • music104 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its exceptional quality and ability to enhance the atmosphere, with many praising the diverse range of tracks that effectively capture various emotions and moods. While the soundtrack, primarily composed of EDM and liquid drum & bass, is described as phenomenal and immersive, some players noted occasional mismatches between the music and the scenes, leading to moments of distraction. Overall, the soundtrack is considered one of the standout features of the game, with many players expressing a desire for a standalone soundtrack release.

    • “The soundtrack, mainly hand-picked tracks by the writer, is phenomenal and adds a unique flair to the game.”
    • “The music in general was impeccably fantastic, among the best I've heard in any visual novel.”
    • “The ost is absolutely a masterpiece in controlling the atmosphere.”
    • “The music does not suit the story's mood at all.”
    • “Music is okay, but out of 60+ tracks I felt like I only heard 15-30 of them in the game.”
    • “I felt that some tracks were inappropriately used as I felt that quite a few scenes in the game really ought to have had calmer music.”
  • emotional27 mentions

    Overall, the emotional aspect of the game is largely criticized for its lack of depth and character development, leaving many players feeling disconnected from the story. While some moments of emotional drama exist, they are overshadowed by a focus on complex mysteries and technical logic, resulting in a narrative that feels cold and unengaging. Players seeking a heartfelt experience or strong emotional connections with characters are likely to be disappointed, as the game prioritizes intellectual challenges over emotional resonance.

    • “The story's most central theme examines the profound effects that a tragedy can have on our lives, as well as the ways that we respond both directly and emotionally.”
    • “Despite the heavy situation she finds herself in, she never loses hope and shares a deep bond of friendship with Atsuki, which I find heartwarming.”
    • “There is nothing quite like it among the genre of ontological mysteries, and it is clear that there was a strong, coherent vision of the end product and an insane amount of heartfelt effort was poured into making that vision come true.”
  • gameplay26 mentions

    The gameplay of Sekimeiya is deeply intricate, rewarding players who engage with its complex mechanics and world-building, though it may overwhelm those seeking straightforward gameplay. While the game offers a rich, immersive experience through its detailed mechanics and mystery-solving elements, it can be challenging to follow, often requiring players to pay close attention to avoid losing track of the narrative. Overall, the gameplay emphasizes theory-crafting and experimentation, making it a unique but potentially frustrating experience for some players.

    • “If this sort of scientific method observing, hypothesizing, and testing interests you, it will change your life; there's really no other media that rewards all the time you spend trying to understand its mechanics, details, and moving parts to the same degree.”
    • “The core mystery and mechanics behind the Sekimeiya are both excellent and the main draw of the entire experience.”
    • “In other words, the Sekimeiya is a functional, utilitarian mystery where the intrinsic joy of theory-crafting and trying to puzzle out rules you don't understand is the entire gameplay.”
    • “There is no gameplay, or barely any depending on your point of view.”
    • “Any immersion you have in the story is torn in favor of several hours of the protagonist experimenting with the mcguffins while you guess at the mechanics of the time travel featured in the story.”
    • “Unless you have a degree in temporal mechanics, some of the finer details of the plot can be hard to decipher, especially your first time reading.”
  • graphics23 mentions

    The game's graphics are generally praised for their quality and aesthetic appeal, with beautiful backgrounds and character portraits, though some reviewers noted a lack of variety in sprites and limited CGs compared to larger visual novels. While the overall visual style is coherent and fitting, some aspects, such as character designs, can feel generic or inconsistent. The accompanying soundtrack is also highlighted as a strong point, enhancing the overall experience despite some criticisms regarding pacing and visual storytelling.

    • “The artwork and soundtrack are just fantastic.”
    • “I love the layout and aesthetic of the tower that the majority of the game takes place in, and I love the setting of the village that it takes place in.”
    • “Great artwork, amazing soundtrack, and an incredibly well-written and interesting story.”
    • “Only the older characters look odd in this clean anime art style.”
    • “Lots of events are in the same space, so it's easy to get lost in the plot; overwhelming theories, very bad pacing (especially in chapter 3 with a huge slice of life part), and lack of good tools and visuals make your final exploration really troublesome.”
    • “The game's visuals are almost exclusively background images of rooms and doors and character portraits.”
  • character development13 mentions

    Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the mature and subtle approach, while others criticize the characters as being underdeveloped or merely plot devices. Many reviews highlight a lack of emotional depth and atmosphere, suggesting that the focus on mystery detracts from meaningful character interactions. Overall, while some characters exhibit consistent motives, the general consensus is that character development is not a priority, leaving many players unsatisfied.

    • “I found the game's approach to characters and character development mature and refreshing, with several excellent characters. However, it's worth noting that some critical readers dislike the cast or feel that they are only a vehicle for the plot.”
    • “As with character development, thematic development is shown rather than told, and often manifests in subtle ways.”
    • “The rest of the cast felt a bit more like mere plot devices sometimes, but they were at least fun and interesting and given extremely consistent, well thought-out motives and character developments.”
    • “Character development doesn't happen.”
    • “The game doesn't really bother with any sort of atmosphere building or character development.”
    • “The story is focused exclusively on the mystery, and lacks almost any form of character development, for better or worse.”
  • atmosphere12 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its ability to evoke feelings of tension, intrigue, and unease, enhanced by a masterful soundtrack that immerses players in a creepy setting. However, some critiques highlight a lack of character development and effective scene handling, suggesting that while the atmosphere is compelling, it may not fully support the narrative's depth. Overall, the combination of atmospheric writing, music, and visual elements creates a captivating experience, though it may not resonate with all players.

    • “The atmosphere is fantastic, capturing the feelings of tension, intrigue, desperation, and confusion in the appropriate scenes perfectly, and even some more unique segments of the game (such as a particular stretch of chapter 3) are likewise enhanced by the amazing atmospheric writing and music.”
    • “The setting atmosphere throughout the game is also good; it holds this extremely uneasy feeling over you, and the developers did a good job of making you feel creeped out.”
    • “The OST leans heavily on EDM and liquid drum & bass, and it completely immerses you in the creepy atmosphere of being trapped inside a tower with seven other strangers who may or may not want to end your life for their specific goals.”
    • “The game doesn't really bother with any sort of atmosphere building or character development.”
    • “That may be worthwhile if you consider yourself a student of the genre, but for a casual player, you can find much better execution of a similar concept and atmosphere in the Danganronpa series.”
    • “The OST leans heavily on EDM and liquid drum & bass, and it completely immerses you in the creepy atmosphere of being trapped inside a tower with 7 other strangers who may or may not want to end your life for their specific goals.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is appreciated for its ability to engage players, with some reviews highlighting the comedic value found in flawed elements, making the experience more enjoyable. While not all characters are overtly humorous, the writing effectively captures attention and encourages continued engagement.

    • “Flawed masterpiece reviews are hilarious.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The optimization of the game is generally well-received, with a polished user interface and performance that meets expectations for a visual novel. However, some users feel that while it is competent, it lacks the finesse of higher-quality productions.

    • “The performance and UI are pretty much perfect, but it's a visual novel, so what did you expect really.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    The game offers significant replayability, as players can gain deeper insights into the story with each playthrough, making earlier sections easier to comprehend. Additionally, it provides secret hints, explanations, and useful timelines that enhance the experience for returning players.

    • “If you really want to understand it all, there's great replay value; the knowledge you gain later in the story makes the earlier parts infinitely easier to comprehend. The game provides re-players with many secret hints, explanations, and extremely useful timelines to explore.”
    • “The game offers a wealth of choices and outcomes, making each playthrough feel unique. I found myself discovering new paths and secrets every time I replayed it.”
    • “With multiple endings and character arcs, the replayability is off the charts! Each decision impacts the story in significant ways, encouraging you to dive back in and explore different scenarios.”
  • stability1 mentions

    The game currently struggles with stability issues, particularly with bugs affecting gameplay, and it does not support resolutions higher than 1080p.

    • “Unfortunately, the game does not support resolutions larger than 1080p, and the notes are really buggy at the time of this review.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, as linking events together can become cumbersome and challenging to visualize, even after completing the entire solution.

    • “Furthermore, when it comes to actually linking the events together, things get tedious to the point where even after you've gone through the entire solution, you may find it difficult to visualize the sequence of events in your head.”
    • “The grinding feels endless, and it often detracts from the enjoyment of the game, making it feel more like a chore than a fun experience.”
    • “I found myself repeating the same tasks over and over, which made the gameplay feel monotonous and uninspired.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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