Recent reviews by Overheaven

Short and sweet, this game is a wonderful introduction to a series I can't wait to play more of! Trap is a point n' click horror/mystery game with all the classic elements. I personally love the color palette of the game itself, it reminds me of a blood-splattered neon sign from the 80's. The sound design is also fantastic; with sound effects scattered throughout to make your skin crawl and a soundtrack that sets a perfectly spooky, atmospheric scene. The puzzles were fairly simple but fun to figure out. Part 2 is heading to Steam this summer according to the dev. I am very excited for it, so I'll be sure to edit my review to reflect the full experience once I've played that as well.

A really enjoyable non-combat RPGMaker game. It begins simply enough with you seemingly pitted in a game of wits against your potential kidnapper as you struggle to escape; but as you gather clues about your surroundings and investigate further, the mystery slowly begins to unravel itself. But this isn't just any run-of-the-mill escape room game. Things really are not as they seem, and there is more than meets the eye. There are many layers to experience, which I would not want to rob you of by spoiling the plot.

There is a surprising amount of depth to this game, in terms of story and even more. Full of replayability potential, there are plenty of endings (both bad and good), a variety of areas to explore with secrets everywhere, lots of easter eggs to be discovered, items to collect, and tons of achievements to hunt. What I like best about the game is its sense of humor. Though the story can be heavy at times, there is a light-hearted nature to much of the dialogue that will make you smile or laugh. The English translation is not perfect, but the dev team is very dedicated when it comes to any issues. This is a charming little game with a lot of heart. I can't wait to see what comes next from this developer!

What an enjoyable game, definitely worth a play! I love the air of mystery and the thrill of espionage. Even if it is a somewhat short experience, there's a good amount of depth in there (with more than one ending to discover!). The story unfolds in a very interesting way, and I would hate to spoil that. It really makes you think about things like trust, loyalty and uncovering truth. The art is nicely drawn, and the puzzles are fun. The translation into English was very well done, it was easy for me to understand. I am excited to see what comes next from this developer!

One of the better experimental games I've ever played here on Steam, and I do mean experimental in every sense of the word. As you play, you begin to feel more and more like a (willing) guinea pig undertaking cryptic tasks while the mastermind observes in amusement from the shadows.

I've been playing Yai Gameworks games for nearly four years now, and I am continually amazed even to this day. You can tell the developer is brimming with creative ideas, as their backlog of unfinished/unreleased games grows right along with a steady stream of finished work. Through it all, they have always been so honest and transparent, which I can appreciate. As a fan it's been fascinating to watch the whole process. Imagine my suprise to find a few hidden treasures in this particular game which harken back to a few of those games seemingly thought lost or left undone. The developer has found a way to re-imagine and re-purpose their projects (even if only in smaller amounts) as part of something bigger.

Like most of their games, I wouldn't classify it as straight horror. I think of it more as a surreal puzzle/riddle game. If you are a particular fan of decyphering codes and digging through the files of your game, you would absolutely adore this experience. It's established this game is best enjoyed as a group brain-storming excercise, but it's not necessary. In fact, this game is no better enjoyed as a group effort than any other of Yai Gameworks games in my opinion- since they all rely heavily on thinking far outside the box. Browse nearly any forum for their games and you will find threads of multiple minds connecting to work their way through countless puzzles and theories. However, this is the first time it's specifically stated this way. You might be highly antisocial, like me, but why not use this opportunity to step out of your comfort zone for the sake of the game. Who knows, you might just fall in love with it.

PHASE 2 & BEYOND EDIT: Honestly, I'm not digging the game as much at this point. It's my least favorite of all of Yai Gamework's releases thus far. The novelty has worn off and the whole experience has become rather frustrating. My enjoyment of it has waned quite a bit. I dislike how difficult or nearly impossible the game is to play solo (now, I say nearly, because a few of us are really trying to go it alone) and how reliant you must be on Discord or Steam forums in order to progress. If we don't have access to GIMP software, are inept with such software or perhaps even have vision or hearing issues, you may not be able to progress at all without relying on someone else for the answers or for having the guts and intestinal fortitude to withstand certain tasks (like the Girl's Graveyard game, or the 101 Floors)
For someone as uncomfortable socially as I am, this whole experience can be incredibly hard and slowly chips away at my love for the game.

I really enjoyed Confess My Love so I was very intrigued by this supposed "non-sequel". It's vastly different from Confess My Love in terms of design and gameplay, which I appreciate because it allows the dev to show more aspects to their style. Despite the surface differences, these games are like two sides of the same coin. It's interesting to see the indirect impact of a story from one game carry over into another, shown from a fresh new perspective. The bleak and minimalistic atmosphere is well done and fits perfectly. I love how the story is revealed bit by bit and it is a surprisingly impactful tale of bullying. The game may be short but it has plenty of secrets and multiple endings. All in all, it continues to create the possibility for more; I for one would love to see this universe expanded on.

What a lovely experience, as sweet as candy! The horror elements are very mild so it can be enjoyed by the whole family; it's more of a mystery/adventure. The game has a lovely pastel tone to it with fantasy overtones from Wonderland which pair perfectly with the soundtrack. The game has style and substance; pretty on the outside but there's a real story inside and true depth and devlopment to the characters. You can tell every bit of it was constructed with the utmost care; a true labor of love! The cast of witches are all interesting and different in design and personality, the dialogue is well written: full of humor and heart. The puzzles, secrets, collectables and side-quests sprinkled throughout will keep you busy for hours and serve for plenty of replay value. I absolutely adored the Cooking mechanic within the game as well. I've enjoyed this and Trick n' Treat so much that I cannot wait to see what comes next from this developer!

I wouldn't suggest playing this game if you haven't played the other games in the series (Episodes 1 & 2, as well as Delirium), because you would be cheating yourself out of the full experience. For those who have played the other games, you owe it to yourself to finish the story.

It's been amazing (sometimes horrifying, sometimes saddening) to watch the characters grow and the storyline deepen. In the same way, the games themselves have evolved in terms of art, genre, and mechanics. Most of all it's been very touching to play it all to completion, as the game feels so deeply personal and cathartic in many ways. The creator of this surreal universe is a developer I will be following for years to come, because they have such a unique vision.

Thank you, etherane. For everything. ❤ The future is bright!

This was a game that truly surprised me, both in terms of story and gameplay experience. I wasn't sure what to expect going in, but upon finishing I was left with a feeling of amazement. The developer has really worked some magic; weaving a deep, emotional story, utilizing simple mechanics in challenging ways, and creating a lush and vibrant environnment from simple means.

This is the most difficult game I've played this year. Death is around every corner, plenty of "bad ends" to encounter. Near the beginning, I wanted to give up in sheer frustration several times (so happy I didn't)--but I always found myself coming back and trying again. There are no healing items, and you have only a few hitpoints to last you throughout the game itself. Seems harsh, but it feels right. As I played on, I wouldn't have it any other way. This game encourages you to learn from your mistakes and put thought into every move you make. There are no unimportant decisions, everything has an impact. Sometimes...you choose wrong, and you are helpless (or dead). Lends a sense of weight and realism to the survival aspect of the game. Making it through to the end feels like a real accomplishment.

One of my absolute favorite things about the game is in its design. MEMENTO probably has some of the most original enemy designs I have ever seen. I love the juxtaposition of the organic and the military. The cutscenes, although brief, are breathtaking in their simplicity. With several endings and secrets to discover, there's replayability. MEMENTO has a style entirely its own. I am already looking for more from the developer, and I can't wait to see what comes next!

Ever since I first played Close Your Eyes, I have been eagerly awaiting more. With Intermission just on the horizon, some of the more rabid fans (me included) needed a little something to tide us over until its release. The Twisted Puzzle does just that; like a blood-soaked appetizer with an odd aftertaste that you just can't help but continue eating. It's a short but sweet experience, complete with five endings. Considering it's a free DLC for an already free-to-play game, you can't get a better deal than that.

There's plenty of references to the Yai Gameworks universe to think over and even a Twin Peaks reference (that's always an instant plus in my book). This game won't provide closure or answers, but leaves you bewildered in the most wonderful way possible. The puzzles can be a bit difficult and demand plenty of exploration (and sometimes cooperation from fellow players) to figure out; but I've come to expect a certain level of challenge when it comes to this developer's work, and I love that about it. If you enjoyed Close Your Eyes, this is a definite must-play.

What an interesting experience! Think of this more as a surrealistic experiment in gaming, more so than a linear game in the traditional sense of the word. With the silent protagonist and subjective, dream-like way of storytelling, it leaves much up to the imagination. There's lots of secrets hidden here, so every player's experience with the game might be a little different depending on how diligent you are. As you solve puzzles and explore, you piece elements together to form a story in your mind.

The puzzles are challenging, but not impossible. Just takes a little deep thinking and good ol' fashioned determination. The art is minimal but effective, and I enjoy the imperfect, rough-around-the-edges style of design. Sound and music seem to play key roles, so keep those ears open and listen closely. I also really enjoy the way the game utilizes its own unique mechanics such as the need to close the game in order to progress further and the time system; which, depending on what literal time of day or night you play, will cause drastic or subtle changes in the environment.

What I love most is how Yai Gameworks is evolving over the years and developing its very own world and mythology which seem to spread from game to game. It creates a cohesion among chaos and makes me as a player (and longtime fan) even more excited for what comes next!