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Zelle

Zelle Game Cover
97%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
character development, grinding
97% User Score Based on 275 reviews

Platforms

PCTabletAndroidMac OSPhoneiPadMobile PlatformiPhoneWindows
Zelle Game Cover

About

Zelle is a single player role playing game with a horror theme. It was developed by Fuming and was released on October 4, 2019. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"Zelle" is a single-player Horror Role Playing game with an intriguing story, fantastic game mechanics, wonderful visuals, and an excellent soundtrack. Explore a magical world filled with eccentric characters, intense battles against demons, and a dense atmosphere that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Experience the story of a young protagonist, Emerada, and other unique residents, as you uncover the mysteries of this dreamlike horror adventure.

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97%
Audience ScoreBased on 275 reviews
story53 positive mentions
grinding3 negative mentions

  • The game features a unique and engaging combat system that combines reflex-based mechanics with a variety of creative enemy encounters.
  • The art style and atmosphere are beautifully crafted, creating a surreal and immersive experience that enhances the horror elements.
  • The story is heartfelt and thought-provoking, tackling themes of suicide and redemption in a way that resonates with players.
  • The second half of the game shifts dramatically in tone and gameplay style, which may feel disjointed and less engaging compared to the first half.
  • Some plot points and character arcs, particularly regarding the Goddess and the Moon Man, are left unresolved, leading to a sense of confusion and disappointment.
  • The game is relatively short, which may leave players wanting more content and depth in both gameplay and narrative.
  • story
    115 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its emotional depth, unique themes, and engaging visuals, while others find it occasionally silly or lacking in substance. It features a blend of quirky, heartwarming, and sometimes unsettling narratives that captivate players, though some feel it suffers from pacing issues and unresolved plot threads. Overall, the storytelling is often described as charming and memorable, making it a significant aspect of the gaming experience.

    • “The story is quite interesting too; from the beginning it makes you want to know what actually happened.”
    • “It's a beautiful story, not super complex, but it uses visuals and design in a really smart way to make everything feel more complete and captivating.”
    • “The story is enjoyable, there are many characters that have interesting stories and the world's lore is intriguing.”
    • “Normally I wouldn't mind this in a horror game because the point isn't the story and it isn't what attracted me to the game in the first place, but the game puts such an emphasis on the lore and story it's built throughout the past two hours and then fails to deliver anything of substance.”
    • “Feels like they were setting up too many plot threads that they don't really pay off properly and then everything ends with tonal whiplash in the last several minutes of the game.”
    • “Overall, the biggest issue I found with the writing of the game is a character that is very central to the story: the goddess. To stay vague and not give away any more spoilers, there is information about the goddess and what she does with the holy grail that is left unanswered and was never resolved in the writing of the story.”
  • gameplay
    73 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of the game is characterized by a unique blend of point-and-click exploration, dungeon crawling, and light action mechanics, creating an engaging experience that is visually stunning and narratively rich. While some players find the gameplay simple and occasionally lacking in depth, others appreciate its innovative mechanics and the seamless transition between different gameplay styles throughout the game. Overall, it offers a memorable experience, though it may not satisfy those seeking complex gameplay challenges.

    • “The initial point-and-click gameplay structure perfectly suits the atmosphere attempted to be conveyed.”
    • “Combines dungeon crawling, arcade light gun shooting, and adventure gameplay to deliver an unforgettable experience.”
    • “The way the game iterates on its core mechanics throughout to take you from scared to a demon-slaying rampage without introducing new mechanics is something that you do not see often.”
    • “Gameplay-wise, kinda boring, not gonna lie.”
    • “The gameplay is rather lackluster but it makes up for it with its unique combat system and the story the player is thrown into.”
    • “If you can accept the fact that this game sacrificed gameplay at times in exchange for narrative design, then you'll enjoy this game.”
  • music
    65 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers highlighting its beauty, intensity, and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere. The soundtrack is described as phenomenal, with unique compositions that resonate emotionally and complement the game's visuals and story. Overall, players find the music to be a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and immersive experience.

    • “What stands out the most for me is the music; the songs are super intense and unique, with a pretty solid soundtrack overall.”
    • “So much love and care put into every facet of this game, from the stylish and abstract art to the unbelievably good soundtrack.”
    • “The music is composed wonderfully, especially the ending song.”
    • “As for the soundtrack, I literally just finished the game and I can't remember a thing I heard.”
    • “Most of the game is spent in silence and the songs that are there aren't that great.”
    • “As I sit here trying to think of even a bar of music that was in this game, all that pops into my head is Undertale music.”
  • graphics
    56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique and eclectic art style, blending mixed-media elements, photographic textures, and hand-drawn illustrations to create a dreamlike and eerie atmosphere. Reviewers highlight the beautiful visuals and how they enhance the storytelling, with some noting a charming yet unsettling aesthetic that effectively supports the game's themes. While the art style is generally well-received, a few critiques mention inconsistencies in character design and gameplay transitions, but overall, the visuals are considered a standout feature that captivates players.

    • “I'm a sucker for the mixed-media approach that's already here — a lot of the enemies look like drawings clipped out of demonology books, contrasting the overworld sprites and the dithered castle graphics — and the back-and-forth swinging between goofy minigames and tense exploration works in a way that seldom does anywhere else.”
    • “The art style is this eclectic mix mashed composition of seemingly photographic textures.”
    • “The visuals have this photobashing technique mixed with drawings that make for an eerie presentation.”
    • “The only thing that remains consistent is the art style; the disconnect between the two clear halves of this game is massive.”
    • “Even with the rather simple premise, keyhole puzzles and initially choppy artwork, the evolving scenarios and surprisingly engaging atmosphere were enough to keep me playing until the finale.”
    • “The retro graphics, combined with the first-person point-and-click game style, make everything simultaneously nostalgic, claustrophobic, and unsettling, fitting for its targeted tone.”
  • atmosphere
    41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its dreamlike quality, rich storytelling, and engaging music, creating a unique blend of horror, humor, and surrealism. Players appreciate the game's ability to evoke strong emotions and maintain tension, particularly in the first half, though some note a shift in atmosphere during the latter stages. Overall, the combination of art style, sound design, and thematic depth contributes significantly to the game's immersive experience.

    • “It's a very dreamlike experience with a lot of great music, visuals, and a unique atmosphere.”
    • “A rich story with an unsettling atmosphere, varied art style, and awesome soundtrack await you.”
    • “Zelle's biggest strength is its unique atmosphere; the weird jumble of processed photographs, outsider art, and anime influences work surprisingly well with the occult themes in the story.”
    • “While the change isn't exactly bad, it feels like it had no respect for the atmosphere that was built up in the first half, like it just said, 'eh, forget about all that, we want to be cool and feel epic like the end of Undertale.'”
    • “Although I have to comment that the scary/ambient atmosphere kind of falls short in the second half, ironically enough, when you entered hell.”
    • “The somewhat claustrophobic atmosphere in the first half when you're exploring the castle is replaced with a third-person RPG perspective, and while the slight spooky imagery is still there in the background, I feel it didn't quite deliver the exact unnerving kick compared to the first half, and it instead feels a lot more surreal and bizarre.”
  • emotional
    30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its heartfelt and personal storytelling, blending moments of humor, horror, and warmth. Many players found the narrative to be touching and engaging, often evoking strong feelings, including tears, while also appreciating the unique art style and atmosphere. Despite some critiques regarding pacing and character development, the overall sentiment highlights a compelling emotional journey that resonates deeply with players.

    • “A sprawling, heartfelt game.”
    • “Great game with a surprisingly emotional story and amazing music!”
    • “One of if not the most heartwarming indie games I've ever played.”
  • humor
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is praised for its clever balance between comedy and horror, with players noting its intentional absurdity and self-seriousness. The quirky character designs, amusing sound effects, and lighthearted moments, such as dance battles, contribute to a unique atmosphere that blends humor with unsettling themes. Overall, the game is recognized for its ability to evoke laughter while also delivering deeper, more philosophical experiences.

    • “Flattened how intentionally and blatantly hilarious a game that's also completely self-serious can be while riding both sides incredibly well.”
    • “Its not just horror but there are also funny and calming aspects as well, the little dance battle with Loki, the little dragon buddy, and all the little funny sound effects!”
    • “One moment it's funny, one moment it's philosophical, one moment it's scary, one moment it's mind-melting anime battle, and one moment it's really heartfelt.”
  • character development
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the charm and depth of the characters, others criticize the quality of character design, which detracts from immersion. Despite these design flaws, many agree that the character development is well-executed and contributes positively to the overall experience.

    • “This game has a lovely charm about it despite being utterly horrifying at moments, and the character development was very well done.”
    • “3-4 hour lovely hidden gem, with really good character designs and an awesome soundtrack.”
    • “I love the character design and OST; I hope the sequel game that Fuming is working on goes well!”
    • “There were a few little things that broke the immersion - e.g. sometimes the text doesn't show within the textbox, and some character designs are low quality (the rat, for example).”
    • “That being said, the character design is seriously lacking.”
    • “While I certainly can't draw as well as the maker of the game, stronger character design would have been a massive improvement, as the character design's a massive blow to the player's immersion.”
  • grinding
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players found the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and lengthy, particularly in the final stages, despite enjoying the unique fighting system and fun puzzles throughout the experience.

    • “The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
    • “I found myself stuck in a loop of grinding that took away from the enjoyment of the story.”
    • “The amount of grinding required to progress is overwhelming and detracts from the overall experience.”
  • stability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users have reported stability issues, particularly noting visual glitches such as missing texture tiles and black squares, which detract from the overall experience.

    • “Visually, there are weird texture glitches like black squares that are obviously missing tiles.”
    • “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
    • “I experienced constant frame drops and stuttering, which ruined the overall experience.”
  • replayability
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is noted for its short duration and minimal replay value, making it less appealing for players seeking extended engagement. While some users find it worth the low price for a brief experience, the lack of incentives for replaying limits its long-term enjoyment.

    • “The game itself is very short and has basically no replay value, so just be aware if that is something you value.”
    • “I bought this game on sale for around $4 and I have to say it was worth the low price if one wants to kill a few hours, but it pretty much has no replay value unless you want to try and get a better rating (I got an A on my first try).”
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3h Median play time
3h Average play time
3-3h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Zelle is a role playing game with horror theme.

Zelle is available on PC, Mac OS, Phone, iPad and others.

On average players spend around 3 hours playing Zelle.

Zelle was released on October 4, 2019.

Zelle was developed by Fuming.

Zelle has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its character development.

Zelle is a single player game.

Similar games include Yuppie Psycho, Year Walk, ROUTINE, In Sound Mind, Iconoclasts and others.