The Witch's House MV

96%
Game Brain Score Based on 694 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • atmosphere
The Witch's House MV Game Cover
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The Witch’s House, originally released in 2012, falls within the tradition of Japanese horror RPGs with heavy emphasis on puzzle-solving and jump scares. Among other entries in the genre such as Ib and Ao Oni, The Witch’s House surprised fans with pixel-art that conceals truly frightening horror. The Witch’s House is deliberately designed with traps at *almost* every turn--sudden death is unpred…

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Reviews

96%
Audience ScoreBased on 694 reviews
story104 positive mentions
grinding2 negative mentions
  • The pixel art, music, atmosphere, and story are all of great quality and enjoyable.
  • The puzzles are thoughtful and clever, providing a satisfying challenge.
  • The game successfully evokes nostalgia for classic horror RPGs, making it a memorable experience.
  • The game is extremely short, with a playtime of about 2 hours for a first playthrough.
  • The price is considered steep for the amount of content, especially compared to other RPG Maker games.
  • Some players feel that the excessive praise may not be justified due to its brevity and limited replayability.
  • story233 mentions

    The story of "The Witch's House" is widely praised for its captivating and dark narrative, featuring memorable plot twists that leave a lasting impact on players. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to weave storytelling with gameplay, creating an engaging atmosphere filled with suspense and emotional depth. While some players feel the story could be more expansive, the overall consensus is that it effectively combines horror elements with intriguing character arcs and a haunting conclusion.

    • “The true ending will stick with you and definitely puts the entire story into perspective.”
    • “The witch's house also has one of the best plot twists out there that'll stick with you for years to come.”
    • “The story unfolds more each floor you ascend and comes together nicely.”
    • “The story is underwhelming.”
    • “The story was incredibly simple, a bit dull, and it just kind of ends with me going 'huh...so that's it?'”
    • “There's pretty much no backstory and a bit of plot revealed here and there but not really enough.”
  • graphics121 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received significant praise for their updated visuals, which enhance the overall atmosphere and horror elements. Many reviewers noted that the remastered graphics are gorgeous and effectively contribute to the game's eerie ambiance, while still retaining the charm of classic RPG Maker aesthetics. Despite some opinions that the original graphics were sufficient, the improvements in the remake are widely regarded as a valuable enhancement to the gameplay experience.

    • “The graphics of the enemies are so disturbing and the world itself sets such a good atmosphere, almost like a false sense of security since Viola and the cat are portrayed so cutely, making you think things won't be as haunting and graphic as they are.”
    • “The updated graphics are gorgeous and the soundtrack is distinct, not to mention the intriguing and memorable storyline.”
    • “This remaster definitely brought back some of those nostalgic feelings - the graphics and the atmosphere were so pleasant to come back to.”
    • “However, you're not missing out on anything by playing the free version - I'd even say it looks better with RPG Maker VX rather than MV graphics.”
    • “Graphics aren't everything obviously but I felt that was a big issue I found with the original is that the graphics were mostly stock.”
    • “My only complaint is that there's no option to revert the graphics to those from the 2012 release.”
  • atmosphere71 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its haunting and immersive qualities, combining stunning pixel art, a captivating soundtrack, and effective sound design to create a tense and eerie environment. Players appreciate the intricate details that enhance the sense of unease, with jump scares and unsettling visuals contributing to a gripping experience that keeps them on edge. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered one of its standout features, drawing comparisons to other acclaimed horror titles in the RPG Maker genre.

    • “The music, sound effects, strange happenings, jump scares, and snippets of story all set a very creepy atmosphere, and the puzzles keep the game interesting.”
    • “The atmosphere is among the best I have ever seen in any game.”
    • “The game's intricate detail creates a terrifically tense atmosphere that keeps you sat on the edge of your seat at all times.”
    • “The oppressive atmosphere of the house is displayed extremely well, and the game encourages you to look very closely at it all, especially the overgrown vines in extra mode.”
    • “If you are easily spooked by horror games, this game's atmosphere, occasional jump scares, and unsettling visuals and themes will definitely keep you on edge.”
    • “The game has very little atmosphere for me because I don't care about the characters.”
  • gameplay47 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is a mix of puzzle-solving and survival mechanics, often requiring trial and error, which some players find frustrating while others appreciate the challenge. The puzzles are generally well-designed and thought-provoking, contributing to an engaging atmosphere, though the overall experience can feel short for the price. While the game lacks traditional RPG elements, it successfully utilizes its RPG Maker roots to create a unique horror experience that keeps players invested in uncovering the story.

    • “The gameplay is serviceable enough; the puzzles are not too hard but still require a bit of thought to get through them.”
    • “Starting with the gameplay: the puzzles are really good, they make you scratch your head and think, but unlike a lot of puzzle games, they aren't too hard to the point that you get discouraged or stuck for too long.”
    • “Great gameplay, and above all else, loads of fun when you discover stuff.”
    • “The rest of the gameplay is just avoiding traps and chase sequences.”
    • “Overly aggressive scare attempts lead to exhausting eye rolls, trial and error gameplay feels shallow, story is flimsy, 'complex puzzles' is being very generous, there's literally instructions on what to do in each room.”
    • “However, for an asking price of 15 dollars, this game is far too short and frustratingly designed when it comes to puzzle solving, story, and gameplay.”
  • music44 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric quality, effectively enhancing the overall experience with a blend of soothing and eerie tones that complement the gameplay. Reviewers note that the soundtrack is memorable and well-suited to the game's creepy ambiance, contributing to tension and immersion, particularly during jump scares and puzzle-solving moments. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, elevating the game's artistic and emotional impact.

    • “The witch's house pairs a tranquil, almost soothing soundtrack with its bizarre puzzles, grotesque monsters, and exceedingly deadly terrain, creating an ambiance that is incredibly proficient at easing your nerves, lulling you into a sense of security, and setting the stage for whatever jumpscare it has in store for you next.”
    • “Great puzzles, visceral spritework, a great atmospheric soundtrack, and a minimalist story that left a lasting impression.”
    • “The music is perfect, as is often noted.”
    • “There isn't much music except on the top floor of the house.”
    • “And for as much as you may not pay attention to the music, you will definitely, and immediately, notice when it abruptly stops.”
    • “The music in the game has more or less stayed the same from the original version, with no complaints from me.”
  • emotional13 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke strong feelings, with players reporting moments of deep sadness and heart-wrenching twists in the story. Many reviewers appreciate the touching narrative and character development, which resonate on a personal level, making the experience memorable and impactful. The addition of animations enhances the emotional weight of key moments, contributing to a powerful and immersive storytelling experience.

    • “I've loved this game since 2012; it's a short experience, but carries a truly emotional story and ambiance.”
    • “I haven't played Witch's House in years; I forgot how amazing and heart-wrenching it could be.”
    • “Truly heartbreaking to see the true ending with Viola's father unaware that Viola's soul was inside the remains of Ellen's body.”
  • humor11 mentions

    The game's humor is characterized by a blend of dark and slapstick elements, often eliciting genuine laughter through unexpected and gruesome character deaths. Players appreciate the clever integration of funny traps and witty dialogue, which enhance the overall experience while maintaining a balance with the horror aspects. The humor, described as both sick and charming, contributes to the game's memorable and enjoyable narrative.

    • “The game had me laughing a lot; there are so many ways for your character to die, and they are all very gruesome, and some of them come out of nowhere for slapstick effect.”
    • “There were a few times where I genuinely laughed at the 'added' deaths in extra mode ('wanna hear a funny story?').”
    • “Really cool RPG Maker horror game with some fun but respectable spooks and pretty funny traps.”
  • replayability11 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is enhanced by the inclusion of an extra mode and multiple endings, which encourage players to revisit it despite its short length. However, some users feel that once the scares are known, the replay value diminishes significantly. While the game offers a fun experience, its replayability may be limited for those seeking long-term engagement.

    • “I also appreciate that the extra mode (which unlocks after beating the game) adds more replayability.”
    • “Overall, The Witch's House MV is an amazing game that's a lot of fun to play and has great replayability.”
    • “Since there are different endings and difficulties, it has replay value, so the length isn't a problem.”
    • “I think it's a little pricey for the lack of achievements and replayability.”
    • “The game is quite short (a single playthrough can easily be completed in under an hour if you know what you're doing), but has a handful of different endings to help increase replay value.”
    • “It's a very short game, and once you know the scares, there's 0 replay value.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly due to the lack of engaging story elements that could make repetitive tasks more enjoyable. The need for precise timing in certain chases adds to the frustration, making the experience feel more like a chore than a fun challenge.

    • “I'm being extremely critical with all this, but it's because this game offers so little in terms of story explanation, making resolution feel tedious rather than fun, even with the multiple endings and different game modes.”
    • “On that note, some of the chases require really tight timing, which becomes tedious to attempt over and over again.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game is reported to be well-optimized, with users experiencing smooth performance and no bugs at this time.

    • “Everything runs smoothly, no bugs at this point.”
    • “The game is incredibly well-optimized, allowing for seamless gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
    • “I appreciate how the developers have fine-tuned the performance, making it enjoyable without any lag.”
  • stability1 mentions

    Users report that the game is stable and free of bugs, indicating a smooth and reliable experience.

    • “The game runs smoothly without any crashes or glitches.”
    • “I haven't encountered any bugs, making for a seamless experience.”
    • “The stability of the game is impressive; it feels polished and reliable.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development is noted for its appealing designs, but players feel that there is a lack of depth and exploration in the characters, resulting in limited engagement with their stories.

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Play time

2hMedian play time
3hAverage play time
2-4hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs

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