She: Chapter 1: The Endless Nightmare.

I haven't played a lot of horror rpg maker games, though I've watched them played before. This one looks intriguing. This review is taken from my notes while playing, so forgive me if it feels disjointed. Also SPOILERS.








The start with exploring the maze-like forest was neat, though could stand to be maybe a bit more unsettling, as it's the first experience the player has that sets the tone for the rest of the game. There's a lot of territory you can cover before entering the mansion, and it feels kinda empty for now.

One minor thing, I found I could bring up the menu during the logo and title splash screen at new game. I could also move the camera around (as if walking with an invisible character) and bring up the menu during the opening cutscene in between dialogue. Since later cutscenes have a different menu where you can view items or quit, this seemed like an oversight.

I found the run button doesn't work in some areas, particularly the Main Hall and room immediately above it. Also finding it awkward to click on every door to open them, though one in Corridor (West) opens automatically when you walk into it, which feels much better. Also I had trouble finding some doors leading West/East, an indicator similar to the "!" and "?" marks would be helpful to mark passageways.

It was strange that I could arbitrarily go up a floor after finding the Library Key. I looked around on the first floor for a door leading to a library before I tried the stairs on a lark.

"Put your hand in" was misleading with the soup puzzle in the kitchen. I had the small hook but didn't think it'd work because I was looking for a "use hook" option or similar. I figured it out eventually, but thought it could use clarification.

There was one room which randomly crushes me, which seems out of place from the other deaths. Is this a reference?

Also... "Dead little girl hanging in creepy blood dungeon, better tell the others! Oh, still can't join up? That's swell, I'll just get back to exploring!" -_- I don't mind having the characters split up usually or even at the beginning, but this part was especially egregious. Would've been a fantastic time to at least get together with Sally, or have a dialogue with her that excused why she's still not joining you. This is my one gripe with the story, which is otherwise fine.

Um, so we get chased by the Master, only to escape, faint, and get caught anyway? I understand Eve gets caught at the end of the chapter, but it felt weird when we can get caught while running and get Game Over. Normally the deaths offer insights into the story the characters otherwise aren't aware of yet, like the Maid disliking mirrors or having trapped and killed dozens of people before. This one just feels like busy work if the outcome is the same.

Also, one time while running from the Master, the music faded out on the long stairs, the room just before the final one where Eve faints. Made me think he disappeared, then he came right up and got me. It only happened once, but wanted to mention it in case it was a glitch that could be fixed.