The Sexy Brutale is a fantastic game that combines style and unique mechanics to amazing effect. I truly hope to see more games like this in the future.
"The Sexy Brutale" is a puzzle-adventure game where players attend a masquerade ball in a mansion, but time repeats in a loop. As a guest with the ability to be unseen, you must prevent the deaths of other guests by learning their routines and manipulating objects and the environment. With each successful prevention, you uncover more of a sinister plot.
The game features a unique time-loop mechanic that allows players to observe and manipulate events to prevent murders.
The art style and soundtrack are exceptional, creating a captivating atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
The story is engaging and filled with twists, providing emotional depth and a satisfying conclusion.
Puzzles are often too simplistic, lacking complexity and challenge, which may disappoint players looking for a more intricate experience.
The game can feel linear and railroaded, with each murder being self-contained and not allowing for creative problem-solving across different scenarios.
There are technical issues, such as slow animations and occasional frame drops, which can detract from the overall gameplay experience.
story
3,571 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
50%
2%
The story of "The Sexy Brutale" is a captivating blend of mystery and emotional depth, set in a lavish mansion where players must prevent murders through time-loop mechanics. While the narrative unfolds gradually, revealing intricate character backstories and plot twists, some players find the ending predictable or unsatisfying. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging storytelling, unique art style, and atmospheric soundtrack, making it a memorable experience for those who appreciate story-driven gameplay.
“The story is engaging from start to end with deeper lore to find if you wish, the music and world setting is funky and exciting to discover, and the gameplay is unique and fitting for delivering the story to the player.”
“The story unfolds slowly until the very end, where you basically get a few plot dumps and huge twists come out of left field one after another.”
“The story is beautiful, a fantastic tale of loss and devotion.”
“I wouldn't recommend this game for the story alone though so keep it in mind.”
“The game is not a delicate balance and resource management to save multiple people in a satisfying Rube Goldberg machine, but a linear story where most of the problems scream in your face.”
“The story does become a bit messy and complicated at the end, but that's only a problem if you take this (cartoon!) game too seriously.”
gameplay
2,248 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
59%
3%
The gameplay of "The Sexy Brutale" is characterized by its unique time-loop mechanic, where players must navigate a mansion to prevent murders by observing and manipulating events. While the puzzles are generally straightforward and the mechanics can feel simplistic, the game effectively combines narrative and gameplay, creating an engaging experience that rewards exploration and observation. However, some players noted that the gameplay can become repetitive and lacks depth, with certain mechanics underutilized, leading to a mixed reception regarding its overall challenge and complexity.
“The gameplay revolves around the use of gathering masks from the house guests you save, and using their associated abilities to unlock new parts of the mansion.”
“I found the puzzles and the mechanics of this game very engaging.”
“The time loop mechanic works well and is narratively grounded in a satisfying way.”
“I don’t think I ever had to combine two mechanics at any point, and most abilities had a one-time-use feel.”
“Initially, what the Sexy Brutale had to offer was somewhat disappointing, as it was marketed as a mystery/detective game with a time loop element, yet the gameplay itself is a largely puzzle-based experience with no actual detective work involved with the core mystery unfolding by itself as you move through it.”
“The gameplay and puzzles are a bit shallow, but the game oozes style.”
music
2,065 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
38%
1%
The music in *The Sexy Brutale* has been widely praised for its exceptional quality, with many reviewers highlighting its catchy, jazzy soundtrack that perfectly complements the game's atmosphere and setting. The soundtrack dynamically changes to reflect the events occurring in the game, enhancing the tension and immersion as players navigate the mansion's mysteries. While some players noted that the music can become repetitive over time, the overall consensus is that it significantly elevates the gaming experience, making it a standout feature of the game.
“The soundtrack is amazing and fits the atmosphere of the mansion well, which is also a pleasure to explore.”
“The same goes for the music, especially the jazzy tones for the bar and casino evoke the atmosphere of such an upper-class establishment at some time in the last century perfectly.”
“The music is fantastic, the story / how you approach it is awesome (you'll never guess the truth behind this until close to the end) and the gameplay is very interesting, built around time loops and spying puzzling together when what is happening and why and then figure how to stop it.”
“The music fits the casino and mystery themes perfectly, but it gets kind of tiring towards the end if you decide to get the collectibles, since there will be a lot of walking around.”
“The soundtrack can also be pretty jarring when moving from one area to another, because the music in certain areas is meant to accompany the character events happening nearby - it's the most jarring when the music swells near a character death and you move to a room in another area, and suddenly the music is dead calm.”
“My biggest complaint, I suppose, is that the music at times got a bit tiring.”
graphics
1,186 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
40%
2%
The graphics of "The Sexy Brutale" are widely praised for their unique and charming art style, which combines whimsical and macabre elements, creating a visually captivating experience. While the game features a colorful and detailed environment, some players noted minor graphical glitches and a lack of adjustable settings, which can affect performance. Overall, the aesthetic, complemented by a strong soundtrack, significantly enhances the game's immersive atmosphere and storytelling.
“The graphics look splendid, and there is a lot of variation between the areas and rooms.”
“From the unique and consistent style of graphics to the frankly banging soundtrack, Sexy Brutale really transports you into its world and invites you to explore.”
“The graphics are very nice and stylized and the music will be in my mind for a long while from all the areas, very catchy!”
“The game doesn’t offer any graphics settings except for resolution and fullscreen/windowed mode.”
“If you're going to take the time to develop a somewhat complex story with multiple overlapping pieces, then don't pair it with a pop-figurine art style.”
“The graphics are a bit dated by today's standards, but it has its charms.”
atmosphere
350 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
31%
2%
The atmosphere of "The Sexy Brutale" is widely praised for its rich, immersive qualities, combining a captivating soundtrack with detailed visuals that evoke a unique blend of opulence and macabre themes. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to create tension and intrigue through its setting, character design, and sound design, making it a memorable experience despite some criticisms of gameplay depth. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered a standout feature, drawing players into its enchanting yet eerie world.
“The atmosphere is rich and vibrant with several small stories woven neatly together and fellow characters that feel fun and personable.”
“The soundtrack perfectly matches the atmosphere of the game and makes the experience even more immersive than it already is.”
“The entire atmosphere is amazing, the visuals are simple but neat, the mansion itself is designed nicely and it rarely gets confusing despite there being a number of rooms.”
“While I like the premise, the presentation from looks to sounds and the atmosphere, I can't see any depth to the gameplay or longevity whatsoever.”
“I suppose they were trying to create a tantalizing atmosphere of mystery, but without anything meaningful to invest in, it all rings hollow.”
“Environmental sounds don't really have the satisfying effect the rest of the game's atmosphere deserves, and footsteps (as well as a few other noises) are obnoxiously loud.”
emotional
178 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised, with many players noting its distinct characters, heartfelt storytelling, and impactful endings that evoke strong feelings, often leading to tears. The narrative is described as beautifully crafted, with a rich emotional depth that rewards players for engaging with the story, despite some critiques regarding character development and pacing. Overall, the game is recognized for its ability to deliver a powerful emotional experience, making it a standout in its genre.
“The story is intriguing all the way with a huge emotional payoff at the end.”
“By the time you reach the end, you'll likely be emotionally invested in the outcome, and the game knows it - and makes sure the finale hits hard.”
“This game has made me cry.”
replayability
160 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
62%
33%
Overall, the game exhibits very low replayability, with most players completing it within 6 to 8 hours and feeling little incentive to return after achieving 100% completion. While there are some collectibles and multiple endings, the linear nature of the story and the simplicity of the puzzles limit the replay value significantly. Many reviewers suggest that while the initial experience is enjoyable, the lack of depth and variety means it is unlikely to hold players' interest for multiple playthroughs.
“I completed 100% (all the extras and unlockables) in about 8 hours, and there is probably not a ton of replayability after you are done, but if you are a fan of mystery games, or the type of game where you 'rewind and redo' after gaining new knowledge and powers, I cannot recommend this highly enough.”
“Multiple endings also ensure a level of replayability.”
“It seems like the game can be done in under 8 hours easily which might seem short, but there's optional collectibles and the game has a great charm to it that makes it short and sweet, so it adds a lot to the replayability for me.”
“It's a single playthrough experience without much replayability.”
“After a good 6-8 hours, I'd say you've seen everything and there is little to no replay value past that.”
“The only letdown is a lack of replayability, but nothing will compare to that first playthrough.”
grinding
128 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
3%
95%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious due to slow movement, repetitive tasks, and the need to reset days frequently. While some appreciated the mechanics and story, others felt that the gameplay became overly monotonous, especially in the later stages, leading to frustration. Overall, the game is seen as enjoyable but marred by a grindy experience that can detract from its charm.
“The objectives to 100% weren't too tedious.”
“I get what they were going for here, but I found this game way too tedious to play my way through.”
“The gameplay puzzles with restarting the day were fun at first but became tedious by the midpoint with all the trial and error.”
“What I was expecting was a game where you interact with people cleverly and learn their habits, tastes, and routines, so that you can influence events in your own way to put them out of danger, sort of like a reverse hitman, but what I got was a game where you tediously peek through keyholes and stalk your targets in a way that feels incredibly dull.”
optimization
120 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
57%
30%
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent performance issues such as stuttering and freezing, particularly during room transitions. While some users experienced smooth gameplay on older hardware, others noted significant frame drops and loading problems, making the game feel unplayable at times. Overall, while the game offers an enjoyable experience, its optimization flaws detract from the overall enjoyment.
“Great storytelling, good soundtrack, and will run smoothly even on a 12-year-old potato of a PC such as mine.”
“The game runs smoothly with the only occasional stutter as you transition from room to room.”
“Performance issues aside, this is an amazingly unique game with intuitive design.”
“Utterly abysmal frame timing that renders the game a stuttering, unplayable mess.”
“The game's only major flaw is its performance, as it has frequent hitches when moving between rooms.”
“This is one of the worst optimized games I've ever seen.”
humor
114 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of dark and macabre elements, often eliciting laughter through clever writing, witty dialogue, and absurd situations. Players appreciate the mix of suspense and humor, with many noting the engaging characters and the entertaining, sometimes chilling, atmosphere. Overall, the game successfully balances lighthearted moments with deeper, more serious themes, making it a unique and enjoyable experience.
“This puzzle game has a macabre sense of humor, a great soundtrack, and a story with an unexpected twist.”
“The dialogue is interesting and humorous, and discovering how each individual piece fits into the larger story is fascinating and engaging.”
“The characters and writing is a clever blend of humorous and dark, with enough moments to make you laugh while simultaneously shocking you with their brutality.”
stability
76 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
2%
97%
The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with many players reporting occasional freezes and minor glitches, particularly during room transitions and interactions with objects. While some experienced game-breaking issues, most found the bugs to be non-intrusive and manageable, suggesting that with additional polish, the game could significantly improve. Overall, the stability issues did not detract from the enjoyment for many players, though they acknowledged the need for further refinement.
“No bugs or glitches as far as I have found, so if you are interested in this game, I heartily recommend you purchase it.”
“If that wasn't annoying enough, there are freezes all over the place.”
“But the intro is a bit buggy though, sometimes it crashes and just doesn't work; I have to restart it multiple times.”
“Unfortunately, there were some occasional glitches with the graphics and controls that would cause the game to freeze up for a few seconds when entering a new area.”
character development
72 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
49%
4%
Character development in the game is highlighted by its unique and vibrant character designs, which are often described as charming and memorable, contributing to a visually delightful experience. While the characters exhibit distinct personalities and diversity, some reviews note a lack of deeper character development, suggesting that while they are interesting, they could benefit from more depth. Overall, the character design is praised for its creativity and cohesion with the game's atmosphere and narrative.
“Every aspect of this game is masterfully done, from the writing to the character design to the soundscape.”
“The character designs are all unique and memorable, and the music is out of this world.”
“The character design is amazing and the whole world is a visual delight.”
“✓ Interesting diverse cast of characters: you got diversity and no one results flat out boring. Gotta love the creative ways they get killed too, not really a lot of character development (we're gonna cover this better later) but they still end up being diverse, characteristic, and all around interesting.”
“The character designs are all very distinct with unique personalities, but there isn't much character development.”
“As you might guess from the title, just about everything in the game is over-the-top and exaggerated, from the flavor descriptions to the mansion visuals to the theatrical murders to the character designs.”