CINERIS SOMNIA

thank you for making a game that felt like walking around in a emo boy sims 2 amv from 2006

I recommend this game only to those who enjoy SLOWWW-paced walking sims because this game makes you tediously go back and forth across huge maps searching for items to reveal parts of their stories. It doesn't really hint at where you should go either, you kinda just have to (slowly) walk aimlessly around each (massive) location in hopes to discover something. I did find some of the stories somewhat interesting so that kept me playing, I just wish it wasn't such a slog to go through. I must say though, the art is strikingly beautiful and atmospheric. The gothic and dolly aesthetics is what made me buy the game in the first place and the soundtrack is melancholic in a nostalgic way,, it's very beautiful. I really wanted to enjoy this game- looking forward to a good horror mystery but I think I won't be finishing it sadly.

I really wanted to like this game. It’s so pretty and atmospheric, and the soundtrack is hauntingly beautiful. But the gameplay is such a slog to get through. It’s basically a VERY slow walking sim where you spend most of your time going back and forth across huge locations, searching for items, all just to get a tiny piece of story. The story itself is somewhat intriguing, but the characters feel too hollow and doll-like. I’m usually pretty patient with walking sims, I had no problem with games like Dear Esther. Yet I couldn’t even finish this one. To make things worse, the camera movement gave me motion sickness, and after every 30 minutes of playing I had to take breaks.

I was a bit hesitant to buy this game at first (ended up grabbing it on sale), mostly because I saw a lot of people saying it was just walking and wandering around. Which isn't true at all, it gives you tasks and there's puzzles to solve as you go on so I dont really understand that part since it gives you objectives and a map to navigate. But honestly? I loved it from the first butterfly chapter ( Charlotte ) It’s seriously such a good game. The dream sequences and puzzle-solving were so fun, and the backtracking? Really not that bad. If you’ve ever played a survival horror game, it’s about the same—maybe even less. The map is easy to navigate, and the puzzles are generally really simple but satisfying. I know some people say the pacing is slow, but I can't see how else you'd pace it also considering the dreams are around 1-2 hrs long depending on how quick you can solve the puzzles etc. I feel like it's just right since it has more impact once you slowly figure out what hap...

I'm going to recommend this game when it's ON SALE. I don't think I would have paid full price for this happily. I am a fan of that old haunting grounds, fatal frame, rule of rose ps2 art style. I'm fine with the whole clocktower defenseless running around helplessly trying to find my way out bit. BJD dolls and Lolita fashion are a wonderful compliment to horror games. But-- I didn't get replay value out of this. I don't want to go back and get all achievements. I'm not curious to uncover more of the story. I was confused as to what the connection between the characters was until I read the description about this being a "can we do it" game, which is fine. 3/4 main chapters have no sense of danger. The choice of having the tall man as your playable character does nothing for the atmosphere of the game. I would have felt at least more protective if we were playing an animal, another woman, maybe even a smaller man or child? It's not that men don't get attacked or anything like that ...

I too would be like Ophelia and turn hysterical and start killing people if they tried to get rid of my cat.

I read a comment of someone saying that it’s a walking sim. I didn’t believe them until I finished it. It is indeed. This game is such wasted potential because I enjoyed the castle section so much i hoped the rest of the game would be somewhat similar to that section.

Honestly, if this game was a straight up walking-sim with no attempt at puzzle-solving I would have enjoyed it more. Unfortunately, the hospital section made me lost interest in this game. It would have been better if the map gave you a bit more guidance. Not to mention interacting with the game feels pretty bad. When I tried to pick up an item, the character kept observing a surrounding object till I stood in a very particular spot. Opening the menu and interacting with items, etc had such a strange control layout. I do not feel like searching through a hospital that looks the same wherever you go without decent direction. However, I do not want to discourage the developer with this review because they have an amazing artistic sense. The music and overall tranquility of this game are great. Establishing such a good atmosphere is key to making a memorable game. I would love to play something made by the same people if they brush up on their game design.

This is a beautiful game... especially for it's time. Even by today's standards the story and the art hold up well. If you're looking for a game with a very interesting story... you've come to the right place. I really hope to see a continuation of this as well...

I really like the game play!