The Sin

About

"The Sin" is a visual novel that explores the dark folklore and ancient beliefs of the former USSR, delving into archaic cults, supernatural terrors, and social issues. Based on real-life field work, the game presents a chilling depiction of endangered villages and their inhabitants, drawing players into a mystical world that challenges their perspective on life. The game features disturbing imagery and ominous underground music, immersing players in a haunting experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 22 reviews

story8 positive mentions

music3 negative mentions

The artwork and music are exceptional, creating a haunting and immersive atmosphere.
The story is engaging and offers a unique perspective on Slavic folklore, keeping players hooked until the end.
Despite translation issues, the game successfully conveys a sense of mood and intrigue, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of horror narratives.

The English translation is poorly executed, with numerous spelling errors and awkward phrasing that detracts from the overall experience.
Many players found the constant translation mistakes to be immersion-breaking, making it difficult to fully engage with the story.
The game is more of a visual novel than a traditional game, which may not appeal to those looking for interactive gameplay.

story
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
42%
16%
The story is described as a captivating yet flawed experience, blending elements of horror and mystery with a bittersweet tone. While the narrative is engaging and atmospheric, many reviewers noted significant issues with the English translation, which detracted from the overall impact. Despite its brevity and translation problems, the story effectively conveys themes of alienation and dread, leaving a lasting impression on players who appreciate its unique style.
- “The story, while not long, does a great job at depicting a dying village, the alienation of being somewhere unfamiliar, and the dread of caring for someone who you know you shouldn't come anywhere close to.”
- “Wait for the night, turn off the lights, put on your headphones, and then you will get real pleasure reading this both sad and macabre story!”
- “Ultimately, this is a story about what it means to make a wish using the monkey's paw, so if that sounds neat to you, go for it.”
- “This is not a game, but rather a short story with illustrations that the player advances by clicking.”
- “There were quite a few mistakes in spelling, wording of sentences, and at times, those sentences were attributed to the wrong character, but it wasn't too confusing and I could follow the story just fine.”
- “It is a Russian game (story) and they probably didn't have the money to pay someone to translate it, so the translation to English isn't very good and you will have a little bit of a hard time at the start to understand what the text means, for example: they were standing in front of the house.”
music
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
38%
38%
The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric and eerie qualities, effectively enhancing the overall experience. Reviewers highlight its ability to evoke a sense of suspense and nostalgia, drawing comparisons to classic shows like The Twilight Zone. The combination of haunting instrumentals and thematic soundscapes complements the game's visuals, creating a cohesive and immersive environment.
- “The music and narration are again top notch!”
- “The music gets under your skin with hushed Russian prayers and ominous noises.”
- “The music itself was legitimately eerie as well.”
- “The artwork is exceptional with dark and moody charcoal hues and the music gets under your skin with hushed Russian prayers and ominous noises.”
- “The sound and music really set the tone and mood for this particular story.”
atmosphere
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
60%
The atmosphere of the game is richly crafted, blending rustic mysticism with a haunting depiction of post-Soviet rural life in Russia. Players are captivated by the phenomenal artwork and music, which enhance the eerie and immersive experience of the visual novel. The game's black-and-white visuals contribute to its chilling ambiance, leaving players eager for more despite its brevity.
- “The authors managed to convey the atmosphere of rustic mysticism and Russian chthonic.”
- “I can see it has potential - the artwork, music, and atmosphere are all phenomenal.”
- “A short but very atmospheric horror visual novel depicting the bleak country life of Russia in the 90s, just after the fall of the Soviet Union.”
- “The authors managed to convey the atmosphere of rustic mysticism and Russian chthonic themes.”
- “The game lacks a cohesive atmosphere, making it feel disjointed and uninspired.”
- “Despite the beautiful graphics, the atmosphere feels empty and fails to engage the player.”
graphics
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The graphics of the game are highly praised for their exceptional artwork, featuring dark and moody charcoal visuals that create a captivating atmosphere. The combination of stunning visuals and haunting music enhances the overall experience, immersing players in a compelling narrative that transcends typical horror themes. Despite some translation issues, the aesthetic quality stands out as a significant strength of the game.
- “The artwork is exceptional with dark and moody charcoal hues, and the music gets under your skin with hushed Russian prayers and ominous noises.”
- “I can't judge the length of the game yet, because I am playing only a few minutes daily, diving into the atmosphere, enjoying the black and white painted visuals, scared that the game will end and I will be forced to wait for another story from this developer.”
- “I can see it has potential - the artwork, music, and atmosphere are all phenomenal.”