Info about Guilty Parade:

Official game description:
**Guilty Parade** is an interactive Visual Novel with Point & Click elements. The full game consists of five episodes. The first one is presented in the free demo version (3+ hours of play). Currently, there are **4 episodes** (about 20+ hours of play). Episodes 3-5 will be out as paid DLCs.
You wake up in a completely unfamiliar place without any memories of yourself surrounded by hostile soldiers. What is that like?
The male protagonist gets a nickname Nemo and is forced to investigate a cruel crime in exchange for the Commander’s patronage. To solve the case, he joins the elite squad of soldiers and he needs to get the trust of his comrades in order to find the culprit. However, what if the murder hides even more secrets and solved mysteries will only raise new questions? Will his new comrades become his companions or enemies?
**► Two opposite sides of a military conflict**
**_Nemo._** _A guy with amnesia. Under the Commander’s protection, he joins a squad of young soldiers to spy and then investigate a crime._
**_Lien._** _A child of war. He leads a completely different life in fear of being killed by black apostates and with desire to avenge the death of a dear person._
**► Secret investigation of the mysterious crime and searching for clues**
_Find clues, make your choices and follow the story to find the culprit._
**► Hybrid of two different genres: Visual Novel and Point & Click**
_In Guilty Parade, you can make important decisions and move independently around the camp, interact with objects and characters._
**► The opportunity to build strong friendship bonds with quirky characters**
_The characters have a lot of unique features (both comedic and dramatic), habits and their behaviour is unpredictable._
**► A lot of meaningful choices affecting scenes you get**
_Nemo will have to not only investigate the crime but also learn to live in unknown world and decide which side he is on in the military conflict._

Release date: Jan 6, 2021

Categories: Visual Novel, Point-and-click Adventure, Detective, Choice-based Narrative, Episodic Structure, Branching Story, Mystery


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $9.99 - $14.99
  - Reasoning: Reviewers consistently describe the game as worth its price, fair for its price tag, and especially appealing at a low price point. No review complains that the base price is too high; instead, the sale mention suggests the current price is acceptable but even more attractive when discounted. These comments support a fair base-game range in the affordable indie tier, roughly $9.99 to $14.99.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: N/A
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: 1.5h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The review reporting a little over 4 hours describes cumulative playtime so far, not a completed playthrough or story completion, so gameCompletion and storyCompletion remain null. The 1h30-in-one-sitting comment directly supports a sessionLength of 1.5 hours. The comment about finishing one path and replaying choices for gallery and achievements indicates optional replay behavior but gives no hour estimate, so endgame remains null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Early fetch-quest pacing and point-and-click backtracking slow the start, but enjoyment reportedly clicks once the plot picks up in episode 3. One review cautions that 'it gets better' may not excuse a weak first half.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: Reaching episode 3, where the plot picks up most
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: Fetch-quest introduction for the ensemble cast; Point-and-click backtracking can feel tedious; Heavy visual-novel elements may not suit point-and-click expectations; The first half may feel weak before the plot picks up
  - Unlock drivers: Reaching episode 3, where the plot picks up most; Story-integrated tutorial for point-and-click mechanics; Choice mechanics balanced with story-heavy sections
  - Conditions: Sticking with the game until episode 3; Tolerance for point-and-click backtracking; Preference for visual-novel and story-heavy gameplay; Appreciation for choice-driven routes; Playing with friends; Interest in a quirky ensemble cast
- Player Archetypes:
  - Niche Visual Novel Connoisseur (buy)
    - Motivation: Discovering niche visual novels with strong story and art.
    - Playstyle: Compares titles within the VN genre and judges games by narrative and art quality.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Return to Shironagasu Island
  - Episodic Update Follower (buy)
    - Motivation: Staying current with an episodic release and supporting its ongoing development.
    - Playstyle: Plays from launch, follows updates and upcoming chapters, and recommends based on continued development.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Character-Pairing Fandom Reader (buy)
    - Motivation: Exploring and discussing character pairings and fandom dynamics.
    - Playstyle: Reads with attention to character relationships and ship discourse, including spoiler-tagged fandom discussion.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Rich, memorable characters (weight 0.77): Characters are well-written, diverse, and have distinct personalities and quirks. Players find them amusing, endearing, and feel like real individuals.
- Engaging, intriguing plot (weight 0.77): The plot is captivating and unpredictable, holding attention to the end. The mystery and narrative structure keep players invested.
- Beautiful visuals and art (weight 0.59): The art style and visuals are consistently praised as gorgeous, eye-catching, and pleasant. Both the art and overall visual design enhance the experience.
- Meaningful choices impact story (weight 0.5): Choices are plentiful and meaningful, influencing character reactions, story flow, and later scenes. Some choices lead to different branching scenes.
- High-quality visual novel (weight 0.34): The game is regarded as an excellent, engaging visual novel that ranks among the best for some players.
- Episode 3 standout (weight 0.3): Episode 3 is frequently highlighted as the best, with impactful plot twists and strong emotional moments that shocked players.
- Compelling detective mystery (weight 0.22): The detective genre is well represented and engaging, adding intrigue and suspense to the story.
- Dual-perspective storytelling (weight 0.18): Players appreciate viewing events from both sides of the conflict, which provides a fuller picture and adds depth to the narrative.
- Strong first three episodes (weight 0.17): The first three episodes are considered the best, offering a nostalgic vibe and high quality that sets a strong start.
- Good music (weight 0.17): The music is deemed good or excellent, enhancing the overall experience.
- Yakov love-hate relationship (weight 0.17): Yakov is an endearing yet frustrating character who evokes a love-hate relationship and becomes a favorite.
- Game is good value (weight 0.16): The game is considered good and worth its price, deserving attention.
- Anticipation for new episodes (weight 0.12): Reviewers are eagerly awaiting new episodes, indicating strong engagement with the story.
- Effective amnesia plot device (weight 0.12): The protagonist's amnesia is used well and becomes less cliché than initially expected, adding depth.
- Good gameplay mix (weight 0.12): The game balances visual novel and point-and-click elements well, incorporating a good amount of gameplay.
- Thrilling world exploration (weight 0.12): Following the protagonist and learning about the unknown world is thrilling and engaging.
- Gratifying character development (weight 0.12): There is nice character development that feels rewarding over the course of the story.
- Episode 4 reveals answers (weight 0.12): Episode 4 provides some answers while raising new questions, advancing the plot.

Common complaints:
- Puzzles unintuitive and frustrating (weight 0.56): Point-and-click puzzles are often not intuitive, with clues that are unclear, and players can get stuck if they miss the right thing to click. Some puzzles are tedious fetch quests.
- Poor English translation and typos (weight 0.54): Many reviewers complain about typos, awkward phrasings, and unnatural English dialogue that constantly remind them it is a translation. Some nuances may be lost.
- Unrealistic military setting and logic (weight 0.48): The military setting feels unrealistic, with characters having too much free time, incompetent commanders, and illogical actions like sending someone across the base instead of using a nearby radio.
- Yakov mischaracterized in Episode 4 (weight 0.48): Multiple reviewers note that Yakov acts like a jerk in Episode 4, contradicting his development in earlier episodes. This change is seen as forced and poorly written.
- Characters lack depth and development (weight 0.45): Characters are often described as caricatured, flat, or underdeveloped, with linear and tedious development. Only a few characters like Elias are well-developed.
- Missing Episode 5 and incomplete story (weight 0.43): Reviewers are disappointed that Episode 5 is not released, with no news or clear timeline, and the story remains incomplete. Some doubt the finale will ever be seen.
- Episode 4 ruines characters and game (weight 0.4): Reviewers feel Episode 4 severely mischaracterizes all characters, makes Yakov a complete jerk, and ruins the overall impression of the game. The writing seems like it was done by a different person.
- Forced romance and shipping agenda (weight 0.35): Reviewers criticize forced romantic lines between Nemo and Yakov, and the pushed Nemo x Doris ship, which feels unearned and contradicts promises. The developer's banning of shippers is also mentioned.
- Tedious gameplay and movement (weight 0.34): Gameplay can be tedious, with lots of back-and-forth between locations, inconvenient movement, and fetch quests that artificially stretch the story.
- Visual and audio flaws (weight 0.32): Some character designs look off, the visual style is mixed, and there is a lack of voices and music. The music sometimes does not fit the scene.
- Choices lack impact and clarity (weight 0.3): Reviewers note that choices do not seem to affect the main plot, consequences are not fully clear, and some outcomes are impossible without a guide.
- Save file corruption and technical issues (weight 0.22): Players report lost save files, broken saves, and crashes, especially when frequently using the save/load window. The game also had launch issues on PC.
- Inconsistent world-building (weight 0.2): The world logic has inconsistencies, such as factions not naming their states, floods not matching terrain, and lack of front lines.
- Other side underdeveloped (weight 0.15): The other side of the conflict remains not fully clear and gets much less time, with only a couple of times experiencing it.
- Text history and guide issues (weight 0.12): Some dialogue or text from examining objects is not added to the history, and a guide is needed in a few instances.
- Small audience and episodic format (weight 0.11): The game has a small audience and an episodic format that requires waiting between cliffhangers.

Gameplay feedback:
- Episodic visual novel format (weight 0.97): The game is an episodic visual novel. Multiple clusters confirm the story is delivered in episodes with branching paths.
- Choices affect narrative outcomes (weight 0.54): Player choices influence the story, including branching outcomes and character reactions. This is a central mechanic highlighted across several clusters.
- Branching paths and multiple endings (weight 0.5): The narrative branches based on player choices, leading to different outcomes. Replaying allows players to explore alternate routes and dialogue.
- Detective mystery elements (weight 0.45): The game incorporates detective and mystery elements, including investigating crimes and collecting evidence. These elements become clearer on replay.
- Quest system with objectives (weight 0.36): Quests include finding items, bringing them to characters, talking to people, and visiting locations. These quests are integrated into the main story and serve as tutorials.
- Point-and-click adventure gameplay (weight 0.34): Point-and-click segments are included alongside visual novel dialogue, involving exploration and puzzle solving. These sections are mostly in the second episode.
- Puzzles and item searches (weight 0.34): The game features puzzles that involve searching for items, solving codes, and occasionally riddles. A specific password puzzle in chapter 2 has the answer 3687.
- Two sides of conflict (weight 0.33): The story is told from two opposing perspectives in a war, allowing players to see both sides. This dual narrative is a key storytelling device.
- Romance and relationship choices (weight 0.28): The game includes romantic branches and relationship-building choices that affect story outcomes. Players can befriend characters and form strong friendships.
- Replayability with skip and save (weight 0.27): Players can save before choices and skip already-read dialogue to speed up replays. Exploration and easter eggs encourage multiple playthroughs.
- Camp exploration and character interaction (weight 0.2): The player moves around a camp, interacts with objects and characters to reveal the story. Exploration can lead to extra dialogue and CGs.
- Story length and pacing (weight 0.19): A playthrough takes around 40 hours, and the story is presented for ordinary readers to spend a few evenings. The tutorial is integrated into the story.
- Point system affects branching (weight 0.16): A point system influences branching and story flow. Trust and ideology points impact relationships and squad dynamics.
- Achievements and gallery (weight 0.16): The game includes achievements and a gallery unlocked through play. Achievements require more effort than typical visual novels.
- Amnesia and mystery plot (weight 0.15): The main character has amnesia, and the story involves a special squad and mystery about the protagonist's past. A murder mystery is central.
- Meaningful choices and judgment (weight 0.15): Choices are meaningful, including deciding whom to trust and which side to support. The story leaves judgment to the player.
- Multiple ways to find truth (weight 0.15): There are multiple ways to find the truth, and choices lead to different outcomes. The game supports investigating a mysterious crime and collecting evidence.
- Easy to learn gameplay (weight 0.15): Gameplay is easy to figure out, with a tutorial integrated into the story. Fetch quests serve as a tutorial.
- 2D art and CG panels (weight 0.13): The game uses 2D art, and choices are depicted through drawn panels. CGs can be found by exploring.

Performance notes:
- Broken save files (weight 0.08): Players report that save files frequently become corrupted or unusable. This issue appears in Cluster 1.
- PC launch failures (weight 0.08): The game may not start properly on some PC configurations. This problem is mentioned in Cluster 2.
- Crash when loading saves (weight 0.08): A crash can occur near the ninth hour when frequently opening and loading the saves window. This is described in Cluster 4.
- Stuttering in barracks (weight 0.07): Minor stuttering occurs while walking around the barracks, especially during fast clicking. This is noted in Cluster 3.

Recommendations:
- Recommended for visual novel fans (weight 0.4): The most common positive feedback is a general recommendation to lovers of the visual novel genre. Multiple reviewers specifically call out the game as a good fit for genre enthusiasts.
- Worth the price, especially on sale (weight 0.35): Many reviewers feel the game is worth its price, particularly when purchased on sale. Some mention waiting for a discount as a viable option.
- Recommend to everyone (weight 0.34): Multiple reviewers absolutely recommend the game to anyone, urging players to play and support the authors.
- Try demo before purchasing (weight 0.23): A frequent suggestion is to try the free demo first to see if the game suits your taste. Reviewers note that the game can be engaging or irritating depending on the person.
- Highly praised as favorite visual novel (weight 0.19): Several reviewers strongly recommend the game, calling it their favorite or near-perfect visual novel. Some describe it as one of the best visual novels they have played.
- Definitely worth playing (weight 0.18): A common sentiment is that the game is definitely worth playing and would be recommended. Some highlight it as especially worthwhile for those interested in unusual visual novels with detailed characters and a mysterious atmosphere.
- Positive about episode 4 (weight 0.13): Reviewers express strong intent to buy episode 4, with some saying if you are doubting whether to buy it, go for it. They will definitely purchase it when it comes out.
- Good for character-driven story fans (weight 0.12): Highly recommended for players looking for a compelling character-driven story. Fans of stylized visual novels with quirky casts, like 999 and Danganronpa, should check it out.
- Stick with it until episode 3 (weight 0.12): Some advise that it is worth sticking out until episode 3, implying the early episodes may be slow. On a first playthrough, players are advised not to fixate on the 'wrong side of the past' route.
- Buy first two chapters first (weight 0.11): One reviewer advises buying the first two chapters, then deciding on chapter 3. This stepwise approach lets players gauge their interest before committing to more.
- Incomplete story warning (weight 0.07): One reviewer recommends the game only if an incomplete story will not ruin your enjoyment. This suggests the episodic nature may leave the plot unresolved.
- Appeals to war and philosophy fans (weight 0.07): The game is recommended for people interested in war, morality, dystopia, and philosophy. Its themes resonate with those who enjoy deep, thought-provoking narratives.
- Add DLC episode 3 to cart (weight 0.07): Before buying, reviewers suggest adding the DLC with the third episode to your cart. This ensures a complete experience from the start.
- Wait for all episodes (weight 0.07): If the episodic format bothers you, wait until all five episodes are out before buying the full game. This avoids the frustration of an incomplete story.
- Complex plot and relationships (weight 0.07): Recommended if you are looking for a complex global plot and like watching complicated character relationships. The narrative depth appeals to those who enjoy intricate storytelling.
- Similar to Return to Shironagasu Island (weight 0.06): If you liked Return to Shironagasu Island, you will probably enjoy this one. This comparison helps fans of similar titles decide.
- Fun with friends (weight 0.06): One reviewer recommends playing the game with friends, suggesting a social experience. This highlights the game's potential for shared enjoyment.
- Worth time if free (weight 0.06): Definitely worth a read if you have some free time to spare. The game is seen as a good use of leisure time.

Other player notes:
- Episodic release with varying episode counts (weight 0.75): Reviewers report different numbers of available episodes, ranging from two to four, indicating uncertainty or outdated information. The game is sold in episodes, with some confusion about how many are currently released.
- Developed by two-person team (weight 0.29): The game was created by a small team of two developers from Nozori Games, Orizori and Noasaki, described as a Russian team. This small-scale development is frequently mentioned.
- Game is not fully released (weight 0.27): The visual novel is still ongoing and the story is incomplete, with future episodes planned. Reviewers note that the full release has not yet occurred.
- Free demo available (weight 0.24): A free demo exists, typically consisting of the first chapter or episode. The demo is similar in tone and play-style to the full story.
- Episode five missing with no updates (weight 0.22): The fifth episode has not been released and there is no information about its status. Reviewers are waiting for it, along with the fourth episode in some cases.
- English translation improvement (weight 0.21): The English translation has improved from the original demo, with few mistakes. Reviewers hope future chapters will also be translated.
- Low price point (weight 0.2): The game is sold at a low price, which is considered good value. Some suggest it did not gain popularity due to its price.
- Substantial playtime (weight 0.17): Game length is considered quite long, with estimates around 20 to 30 hours. The two available episodes alone take about 9 hours to complete.
- Detective point-and-click with deep plot (weight 0.17): The game is presented as a detective point-and-click adventure with a deep plot. It is a detective visual novel with branching narrative.
- Developers working on other projects (weight 0.16): The developers are working on other games, including one about a waifu streamer called 'I Hate My Wife Streamer'. A demo for that game exists.
- Amnesia and faction conflict (weight 0.16): The story involves amnesia and a conflict between two factions. Additional stories have been added, though some are not available in English.
- Paid episodes and DLC (weight 0.16): The game is monetized through paid episodes, with the third episode sold as a DLC. Continuations are sold as separate purchases.
- Visual novel with quest elements (weight 0.12): The game blends visual novel storytelling with point-and-click adventure and quest mechanics. Reviewers note more visual-novel elements than point-and-click so far.
- Complex branching narrative (weight 0.12): The game features a branching narrative compared to Your Turn to Die but with more player choices. The plot is complex enough to drive fandom engagement like theorycrafting and fanart.
- Russian or CIS developer (weight 0.11): The game originates from a Russian or CIS developer. It is a translation from another language.
- No Chinese language support (weight 0.11): The game currently does not support Chinese, despite having subtitles. This limits accessibility for Chinese-speaking players.
- Fourth episode caused rating drop (weight 0.07): The release of the fourth episode resulted in ratings on Play Market and other apps dropping to the bottom. This indicates a negative reception for that episode.
- Developer response to fan pairing (weight 0.06): The developers responded negatively to the fanbase's most popular pairing, which may have impacted community sentiment. This is a niche point.

Emotions:
- Disappointment (weight 0.11): The game is incomplete, with Episode 5 missing and no clear plans for its release, leaving the story unfinished. Poor writing in later chapters, forced romance, and developer focus on other projects further contribute to the letdown.
- Frustration (weight 0.09): Frustration stems from technical issues like lost save files, crashes, and launch problems, as well as gameplay elements such as fetch quests and forced choices. The lack of news about Episode 5 and character inconsistencies also fuel irritation.
- Anticipation (weight 0.08): Players are eagerly awaiting new episodes, especially Episode 5, and are looking forward to the continuation of the story. The ongoing nature of the game and the desire to see where the plot leads keep the anticipation high.
- Excitement (weight 0.07): The rich story, branching mysteries, and shocking twists, particularly in Episode 3, generate excitement. Unique art style and emotional moments also contribute to the thrill.
- Hope (weight 0.04): Despite disappointments, players hope the story will be completed and that future episodes will address character issues and mysteries. They wish the developers success and want the game to reach its full potential.
- Admiration (weight 0.04): Admiration is directed at the characters, art, music, and writing, especially considering the small two-person team. The game is praised as one of the best visual novels by some reviewers.
- Intrigue (weight 0.04): The mysterious plot, unanswered questions, and amnesia premise create intrigue. Players are drawn to the conflict and the challenge of theorizing about outcomes.
- Love (weight 0.04): Players love the characters, story, art, and world-building, often becoming attached quickly. The game is described as a favorite visual novel with unique and lovable characters.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.03): Satisfaction comes from the engaging story, meaningful choices, and overall quality of art, music, and quests. Many feel the game is worth the time and money.
- Appreciation (weight 0.03): Appreciation is expressed for the replayability, branching choices, and the soul put into the characters. The art style and character design are also highlighted.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.03): Players enjoy the visual novel aspects, piecing together the mystery, and the well-chosen music. The story and characters, including side characters, add to the fun.
- Boredom (weight 0.03): Boredom arises from tedious sections, a flat plot, and slow character development, particularly in Chapter 4 and Episode 2. Some find the game sleep-inducing.
- Engagement (weight 0.03): The captivating story and meaningful choices keep players invested. The wartime setting and mysteries add to the engagement.
- Dislike (weight 0.02): Dislike is caused by unintuitive puzzles, forced romance, and specific scenes like the torture room. Paid episodes also contribute to negative feelings.
- Surprise (weight 0.02): Surprise comes from unexpected connections between stories, the depth of character writing, and alternate scenes triggered by choices. The game's quality also surprises some.
- Amusement (weight 0.02): Amusement is derived from Yakov's endearing yet frustrating personality, funny moments, and the team's quirks.
- Anger (weight 0.02): Anger is triggered by broken saves and the perception that the script was altered due to shipping preferences, leading to character changes.
- Interest (weight 0.02): Interest is sparked by the story of conflict, espionage, and secrets, as well as the unusual war perspectives and room for universe theorizing.
- Immersion (weight 0.02): Immersion occurs as players lose track of time and feel like they are living in the story, thanks to well-written characters and engaging storytelling.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.02): Enthusiasm is shown for the intriguing mystery and well-written story, with some convinced to buy after trying the demo. The game is described as great and interesting.}