The Sin

About

The Sin is a single player action game with a horror theme. It was developed by Baba Nura and was released on May 20, 2021. It received very positive reviews from players.

The Sin is a visual novel steeped in ancient folklore, exploring the eerie lives of former USSR villagers haunted by archaic cults and dark otherworldly forces. It weaves social issues with mysticism, offering a chilling glimpse into endangered rural communities through authentic folk tales of witches and demons. The game's atmospheric setting and haunting music immerse players in a haunting, unsettling experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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95%

Audience ScoreBased on 20 reviews

story8 positive mentions

music3 negative mentions

The artwork and music are exceptional, creating a haunting and atmospheric experience.
The story is engaging and offers a unique perspective on Slavic folklore, making it appealing to fans of the genre.
Despite translation issues, the narrative successfully conveys a sense of mood and intrigue.

The English translation is poorly executed, with numerous spelling errors and awkward phrasing that detracts from the overall experience.
The lack of interactivity and choices may disappoint players expecting a traditional game format.
Some scenes can be confusing due to the rough translation, which may break immersion for English-speaking players.

story
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
42%
16%
The story is described as a captivating yet flawed narrative that combines elements of horror and mystery, with a focus on themes like alienation and the consequences of wishes. While the English translation is criticized for its poor quality, which detracts from the overall experience, the intriguing plot and atmospheric visuals leave a lasting impression on players. Overall, it offers a bittersweet and unsettling journey that resonates well with fans of dark storytelling, despite its brevity and translation issues.
- “The story wasn't scary, but it was interesting and it kept me hooked till the end.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “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%
37%
38%
The music in the game is widely praised for its stylish and atmospheric qualities, effectively enhancing the overall experience with eerie instrumentals and haunting elements reminiscent of classic shows like The Twilight Zone. Reviewers highlight how the sound design complements the beautiful illustrations, creating a captivating and immersive mood that aligns well with the narrative.
- “The music and narration are again top notch!”
- “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 both enchanted and apprehensive about its conclusion.
- “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 hues that create a captivating atmosphere. The visuals, combined with haunting music, enhance the overall experience, making it feel immersive and engaging, despite some issues with translation. Overall, the game's aesthetic potential is recognized as a standout feature.
- “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.”