Miserere

Hello! And let's all dream together in... Miserere!
Yes, this is a game by SnowOwl, this time made with RPG Maker XP. It's a quite old game, since it was made in 2013 (at least the version I played, that I think it was the last one), and it follows the classic style of the other games of this developer, that often have some peculiarities that make them stand out: original and often surreal visuals that are often mysterious and creepy, dark stories in which it's rather easy to identify with the protagonist, and no combat but just puzzles and various tasks to complete.

Miserere follows this style too, but tells an original story, so no need to play the other games as it is no connected (but play those other games too, come on, they're good!).
In Miserere we play as a lonely protagonist that lives in a space station. But since he's stranded there all alone he has only one way to travel and explore new places: through his dreams! And this is what you'll experience here, an exploration of the subconscious of a lonely astronaut... that maybe will let you learn about him and his past.


The minigame is simple: each funny guy should go into his place!

As other players noticed, dreams are also the focus of another popular game, Yume Nikki, anyway despite some similarities (for example both protagonists are loners) this game has its own identity and style.
Ok, for some reasons the game is similar to Yume Nikki, in the sense that's all about exploring dreamworlds: you go around, investigate and complete fetch quests.
Well, that's nothing really complex, even if here and there there is the occasional puzzle and task to complete, but this is not a game you will probably play for a really entertaining gameplay, but rather for the story, atmosphere and the pleasure to experience an interesting and captivating tale (not unlike a visual novel adventure).

Anyway it's not that there aren't hostile creatures: on the contrary, you can find monsters that can kill you in one hit, and the only way to survive is to avoid them (that's right there is no combat in the game, but we're in the land of dreams after all!). Then there are the puzzles that are pretty good and mostly pretty easy, even if I found one of them a bit difficult (but in the end I was able to complete it, so do not worry there is no way to be stuck anywhere here), but I know I'm not a super-solver (anyway I know that some less experienced players may find themselves lost, and will need a walkthrough, anyway try and do not be discouraged because you need some items to complete some puzzles. The good thing is that these are automatically taken from the inventory if you have them)!


Why not? Let's take everything that isn't nailed down!

If you played other games by SnowOwl you will surely expect custom backgrounds and sprites. Yes, this is exactly what you will find in this game, but I was convinced I was going to see only dark locations and creepy scenarios, and I was wrong! The land of dreams and nightmares has place for a lot of different locations, even some colorful outdoor scenarios. The atmosphere is really unique, immersive and captivating.
To tell the truth the maps are always quite small, but that's a good thing since the protagonist walks slowly, so this won't be a problem at all, areas are well designed, the only thing that may bother someone is that sometimes you enter a new place and you will notice you are facing a different direction. But hey, it's not a problem at least not for me!

Anyway atmosphere comes not only from graphics, that are original and good, as I wrote before, but also from music that in this game is really good too... and maybe original, well I do not know and I am not so sure about this, anyway all feels at the right place. Good graphics + amazing soundtrack = Well done!


Maybe he played this game! It's fun! But now it's the end so, let's read the...

Final Verdict!
Last time that I reviewed a game by SnowOwl it was It Moves (here, look here!) and I believed it was one of the best surreal and dreamlike horror/mystery game. Well I was totally wrong, because Miserere is better, in my opinion! It wasn't easy, but this game has a more interesting story, better visuals and yeah, it's really good! The only thing that probably wasn't perfect is the ending, that I found a bit abrupt and too fast despite linking it, it was like it happened when things were becoming really interesting (and for what I know there is just one epilogue available). Pity, anyway the plot is simple but well written (a very sad and moving story that also has a good pacing) and the cutscenes and dialogues were good, it's impossible to be bored in this game.

Anyway despite this I think this game was still one of the best surreal/mystery adventures, I will probably not replay it soon, but it was a good story! And the armosphere? Simply great and really creepy! I'd suggest this game to those who like this kind of puzzle adventures with a great atmosphere and a dark and mysterious story. Surely one of the best of this genre.