X-note

80%
Game Brain Score Based on 44 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • graphics
X-note Game Cover
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X-note is a single-player mystery simulation game, combining elements of visual novel and dating sim. As the protagonist Essi, you have 30 days to investigate a murder and disappearance at Xen Institute, where your mother once worked. During this time, you can train Essi's psychic abilities, explore the school, collect notes, and make choices that will determine her fate, all while uncovering the truth behind your mother's mysterious death and the elusive "X-note".

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

80%
Audience ScoreBased on 44 reviews
story26 positive mentions
grinding2 negative mentions
  • The game features an interesting plot with emotional depth, keeping players engaged and invested in the characters.
  • The artwork is beautiful and well-executed, enhancing the overall experience of the game.
  • The game offers multiple endings and routes, providing good replayability and a sense of accomplishment when achieving the 'Good End'.
  • The game can be frustrating due to the lack of a skip feature for repetitive mini-games and skill training, which can detract from the enjoyment.
  • Some players found the soundtrack mediocre and noted the absence of voice acting, which could have added more immersion.
  • The game is considered pricey for its length, with some players feeling that it doesn't offer enough content to justify the cost.
  • story54 mentions

    The story is generally well-received, praised for its emotional depth and unique structure, with players appreciating the gradual reveal of plot elements across multiple routes. While some found the pacing slow initially, it picks up significantly, leading to a beautifully executed narrative with engaging characters and a mix of romance that enhances rather than overshadows the main plot. However, the gameplay can be frustrating, and some felt that the art overshadowed the story's development.

    • “The story is well written with lots of incentive to go through all three routes, the artwork is unique but lovely in my own personal opinion, and I'm pretty excited to keep playing and go for Oure's route.”
    • “You know a story is great when it makes you cry.”
    • “The rollercoaster of feels from this game... great storytelling.”
    • “The story starts off very slow, which is one of the weak points I found, but it soon picks up around chapter 3. The overall story was beautifully executed, though the story will be slightly different for all the 9 possible routes.”
    • “More time was spent on the art than the storyline or gameplay.”
    • “The story, artwork, and sound are certainly not worth the price.”
  • music22 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it well-suited to the mood and atmospheric, while others describe it as mediocre and repetitive. Although the soundtrack lacks variety and is considered basic, it effectively sets the tone for scenes and enhances the overall experience. Despite its shortcomings, many agree that the music contributes positively to the game's dramatic effect.

    • “All the music sets very certain tones for the scenes, which kind of reassured me about what was going to happen next.”
    • “Atmospherically, the combination of horror themes, music, and lighting were done well and used sparingly to create dramatic effect during those scenes.”
    • “The music was mixed frequently to help break the monotony of background sounds on a loop; plus the music was better than anticipated going into the game.”
    • “The soundtrack is mediocre; there is nothing special about this aspect, and some tracks are repeated a lot in various sequences throughout the whole game, which I didn't really like.”
    • “The artwork is nothing special, and there is a noticeable lack of variety in locations and music.”
    • “Overall verdict: despite the mediocre soundtrack and the high price, everything in this visual novel in itself is perfect.”
  • graphics18 mentions

    The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the unique and beautiful character artwork and cohesive design, while others criticize the overall lack of variety in locations and scenes. While the artwork is often described as stunning, it is noted that the soundtrack does not match the quality of the visuals, leading to a perception that the graphics alone may not justify the game's price.

    • “The artwork is pretty good for each of the characters and the overall design was well balanced; I loved it.”
    • “It’s a well-structured visual novel with a great story and beautiful artwork to make up for the not-so-impressive soundtrack of the game.”
    • “The artwork is nothing special; the unique scenes that are supposed to be a bit better don't look much different, and there is a noticeable lack of variety of locations and music.”
    • “The story, artwork, and sound are certainly not worth the price.”
    • “The graphics, the characters in particular, were all very pretty and cohesive in style.”
  • humor4 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by the comedic interactions between characters, particularly in Anon's good ending, which is praised for its funny and heartwarming moments. The dynamic of teasing and the ineptitude of certain characters add to the overall comedic effect, making the narrative both entertaining and engaging.

    • “Anon's good end is also my favorite if only because it was so funny and gave a real 'true end' vibe because it was so hard to get.”
    • “Anon slotting back into bestie to Oure would be so sweet after all they've been through, and I bet he would tease Yuon extremely enthusiastically once they met. Yuon totally wouldn't be able to handle that, so it'd be really funny, and then Oure would feel like he has to intervene. He's such an inept cutie; there's no way that would work unless Anon started feeling bad and eased off on his own or Essie intervened to lay down the law herself.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    Players have found the game unexpectedly emotional, often leading to tears due to its impactful storytelling. The narrative is described as engaging and poignant, leaving players eager for the sequel.

    • “Make sure to keep something to wipe your eyes with because when I first started this game, I wasn't expecting to encounter all of this emotional content, but I did, and I cried. So, have something handy for that.”
    • “The story is interesting, emotional, and I look forward to the sequel, Area-X.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players feel that grinding is a necessary aspect of the game, as it is challenging to enjoy the experience without it, especially without the use of cheats.

    • “Without cheats, it's impossible to have fun without grinding.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The game offers strong replayability, with elements that enhance the mystery and encourage players to revisit the experience.

    • “It adds to the replayability and enhances the mystery.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its effective use of horror themes, music, and lighting, which are skillfully combined and applied sparingly to enhance dramatic moments.

    • “The combination of horror themes, music, and lighting was executed beautifully, creating a dramatic effect during key scenes.”
    • “The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into the world with its haunting sound design and eerie visuals.”
    • “Every element of the environment contributes to a sense of dread and anticipation, making each moment feel intense and engaging.”
  • gameplay2 mentions

    The gameplay features a combination of decision-making and mini-games that enhance character stats, providing a dynamic and engaging experience for players.

    • “Gameplay-wise, the game relies on both choices and mini-games that boost stats.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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