Info about The Sekimeiya: Spun Glass:

Official game description:
This is the story of eight people trapped in a tower following an attack. With no way out, they must find the truth behind their imprisonment. Prepare for twists and questions that will keep you theorizing, second-guessing, and searching for the ultimate truth.
OVERVIEW
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In the rural town of Yushibana, the Ashiya family holds much of the wealth. After they discover a rare gemstone, a showing is scheduled in Ashiya Tower, drawing the attention of many of the townspeople. However, during the exhibit, the tower is flooded with smoke, activating emergency shutters that trap eight people inside. With twelve hours until their release, they must grapple with an increasingly complex series of unnatural events.
FEATURES
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*   40+ hours of compelling mystery  
*   Varied soundtrack with more than 60 songs  
*   Take notes in-game whenever you want, keeping track of any relevant information  
*   A powerful search tool which can locate any piece of text you've seen before

Release date: May 6, 2021

Categories: Mystery, Visual Novel, Puzzle Solving, Time Travel Mechanics, Multiple Endings, Note-taking Gameplay, Deductive Reasoning Puzzle


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $25.00 - $35.00
  - Reasoning: The community consistently emphasizes that the game delivers substantial value for its price, describing it as 'worth every cent' and 'worth full price'. The game is praised for its meaty content and complex mystery, which justifies a standard premium price for a lengthy visual novel. Given typical pricing for similar high-quality mystery games, a fair base-game range is $25-$35.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 50.0h
  - Story completion: 40.0h
  - Session length: 20.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The evidence directly supports storyCompletion at 40 hours (multiple quotes cite 30-40 or 40 hours for the main story), gameCompletion at 50 hours (explicitly stated for getting all endings), and sessionLength at 20 hours (a specific session duration). No explicit hours are given for endgame content, so that metric is null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game has a slow, boring start with heavy exposition, but becomes engaging after the first corpse and as mysteries accumulate, though some players find it a slog throughout.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: The first corpse dropping
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: slow pacing in early hours; boring first couple of hours; dry and expository dialogue; tedious reading of paragraphs; chapter 1 too long; pacing issues in early chapters
  - Unlock drivers: first corpse event; immersion in the story; accumulation of mysteries; later chapters picking up
  - Conditions: if you can get past the slow start; if you immerse yourself in the narrative; if you enjoy deduction and complex mysteries; if you tolerate long exposition; if you prefer breakneck pacing over slow build
- Player Archetypes:
  - Deductive Puzzle Solver (buy)
    - Motivation: The satisfaction of solving a complex puzzle and uncovering the truth through rigorous analysis.
    - Playstyle: Takes extensive notes, creates timelines, theorizes, and spends many hours analyzing details to solve the mystery independently.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: mystery-addict; freak
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Casual Mystery Reader (no buy)
    - Motivation: Emotional engagement and character-driven narrative rather than logical puzzle-solving.
    - Playstyle: Reads at a normal pace, expects hand-holding, and prioritizes story and characters over intricate plot mechanics.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: mystery fan
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Genre Connoisseur (sale)
    - Motivation: Appreciation of the genre and intellectual stimulation from complex, well-structured plots.
    - Playstyle: Analyzes narrative structure, compares to other works, and evaluates the game's place within the mystery VN canon.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Infinity series; Zero Escape series; Root Double; Ever17; Umineko


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:
- Mystery is excellently crafted (weight 0.47): The mystery is described as intricate, complex, and well-constructed, with consistent rules and satisfying depth. Reviewers find it highly engaging and rewarding to unravel.
- Note-taking and search tools (weight 0.41): The game provides robust note-taking, search, and organizational features that help players track information. These tools are praised for being user-friendly and enhancing the mystery-solving experience.
- Game is impressively complex (weight 0.4): The game's complexity and self-consistent details are frequently highlighted, with many calling it a masterpiece. Its intricate design is seen as a major selling point.
- Soundtrack is phenomenal (weight 0.37): Players consistently praise the soundtrack, noting its quality, variety, and how well it fits the scenes. The music enhances immersion and is considered a standout feature.
- Main characters are well-developed (weight 0.28): The dynamic between the two main characters is highlighted as engaging and emotionally resonant. Their interactions and development are considered a strong point of the narrative.
- Artwork is beautifully detailed (weight 0.22): The art, including character designs and CGs, is generally praised for its quality and detail. Some reviewers note it as a positive aspect, though not as central as the story.
- Game is solvable with effort (weight 0.17): Reviewers note that the game is entirely solvable and rewards careful reasoning, making the solving process itself enjoyable. This encourages active participation in the mystery.
- Pacing is fast and engaging (weight 0.13): The game's pacing is described as fast with no unnecessary dialogue, keeping players consistently interested. This contributes to an overall engaging experience.
- Timeline feature aids comprehension (weight 0.13): After the final chapter, a timeline sorting feature helps players review events, which is appreciated for clarifying the complex narrative. This quality-of-life addition is seen as useful.
- Stats allow player comparison (weight 0.12): The game includes a stats feature that shows how other players answered, allowing for comparison. This adds a social and competitive element to the experience.
- Game is definitive mystery visual novel (weight 0.08): Some reviewers consider the game the definitive mystery visual novel, citing its complexity and narrative depth. This positions it as a benchmark in the genre.
- Hints are frequently provided (weight 0.07): The game gives many hints, some obvious and some subtle, to guide players. This helps maintain accessibility without diminishing the challenge.
- All details are explained by end (weight 0.07): By the end, all necessary details are presented and explained, ensuring the story makes sense. This clarity is appreciated, though it may reduce ambiguity.
- No plot holes or contradictions (weight 0.07): Reviewers emphasize that the story has no plot holes or contradictions, highlighting its consistency. This is a key factor in the narrative's credibility.
- Story is gripping and well-written (weight 0.07): The story is praised for being fantastic, gripping, and incredibly well-written. It keeps players invested from start to finish.
- Game is meticulously polished (weight 0.07): A lot of polish went into the game, with meticulous attention to detail. This is evident in the overall presentation and gameplay mechanics.
- Note system auto-updates (weight 0.06): The note-taking system automatically updates with basic plot developments, making it easier to track information. This feature is seen as a thoughtful addition.
- Characters are intelligent and analytical (weight 0.06): The characters are portrayed as highly intelligent, constantly testing theories and thinking through actions. This adds depth to the interactions and plot progression.

Common complaints:
- Characters lack depth and personality (weight 0.53): Multiple clusters indicate that characters are perceived as flat, one-note, and primarily exist to advance the plot or mystery rather than having their own development. This is a recurring and significant criticism across many reviews.
- Writing is dense and difficult (weight 0.32): Several clusters highlight that the writing style is confusing, wordy, and hard to parse, making the game a slog to read. The high information density and rough prose contribute to a tiring experience.
- Pacing issues and slow start (weight 0.27): The game suffers from pacing problems, with the first chapter being particularly long and dragging, and the overall narrative feeling broken or rushed. This affects player engagement and enjoyment.
- Lack of localization options (weight 0.12): The absence of official Chinese and Japanese translations is a notable barrier for non-English players, limiting accessibility and enjoyment. This is a specific but important issue for the target audience.
- Ending is rushed and unsatisfying (weight 0.08): The ending is criticized for being rushed, leaving some questions unanswered, and providing an unsatisfying conclusion. This leaves players feeling incomplete and frustrated.
- Final explanation is confusing (weight 0.08): Even with simplified explanations, the final explanation is hard to understand, which undermines the mystery resolution. This is a critical point for a mystery-driven game.
- Lack of visuals and diagrams (weight 0.08): The game relies heavily on text without sufficient visual aids or diagrams to explain complex concepts, making it harder for players to follow the story and mechanics.
- Flowchart unlocks too late (weight 0.08): The flowchart, a useful navigation tool, is only available after the game ends, which reduces its utility during the playthrough. This is a design flaw that affects player experience.
- Mystery details are convoluted (weight 0.07): The mystery is intricate and complex, but some details are convoluted, making it difficult for players to follow and appreciate the plot. This can lead to confusion and frustration.
- Reviewer memory issues affect quiz (weight 0.07): Some reviewers noted that they forgot subtle details and answered quiz questions incorrectly, indicating that the game's information retention demands are high. This may be a player-side issue but reflects the game's complexity.

Gameplay feedback:
- Mystery visual novel core (weight 0.83): The game is consistently described as a hardcore, logic-focused mystery visual novel where the story is structured as a puzzle to be solved. It emphasizes deduction and complex, intricate mysteries over traditional narrative.
- Extensive note-taking system (weight 0.62): Players highlight a robust in-game notes system that allows them to record events, write speculation, and organize summaries. This feature is considered essential for managing the game's dense information and solving its mysteries.
- Powerful text search function (weight 0.36): The game includes a comprehensive search function that lets players find keywords in previously read dialogue and text logs. This tool is frequently mentioned as crucial for re-examining clues and piecing together the mystery.
- Time travel mystery mechanics (weight 0.24): The game involves time travel as a central mechanic, with rules that allow changing the past while avoiding paradoxes. This creates a complex, closed-circle setting that requires careful navigation of hidden routes.
- Final quiz tests knowledge (weight 0.22): At the end of the game, players face a long quiz (often nearly 100 questions) that tests their understanding of the narrative and details. This feature is seen as a way to validate the player's comprehension and engagement.
- Post-game flowchart and timeline (weight 0.21): After completion, the game provides a flowchart of every character's actions and a timeline sorting feature. These tools help players visualize complex paths and understand the full scope of the narrative.
- High information density (weight 0.13): The game is a dense read with a high level of detail, requiring players to pay close attention to every piece of information. This density is both a challenge and a strength for mystery enthusiasts.
- Complex timetable-based trick (weight 0.11): The mystery revolves around a rigorous timetable trick, requiring players to track character actions and timelines meticulously. This adds a layer of logical deduction that is both challenging and rewarding.
- Minimap grounds physical space (weight 0.11): A minimap feature tracks the protagonist's position, grounding the visual novel in physical space. This helps players visualize what's happening and navigate the environment more effectively.
- Puzzle over story emphasis (weight 0.08): The game is often described as more of a puzzle than a mystery-driven story, with the narrative serving as a framework for logical deduction. This design choice appeals to players who enjoy intellectual challenges.
- Structured into five chapters (weight 0.07): The game is divided into five chapters, each contributing to the overall mystery. This structure helps organize the complex narrative and allows for episodic progression.
- Multiple endings and choices (weight 0.07): The game features multiple choices and endings, encouraging replayability and exploration of different narrative paths. This adds depth to the mystery-solving experience.
- Repeated reasoning exchanges (weight 0.07): Characters engage in constant theorizing and repeated reasoning exchanges, which helps players process clues and develop hypotheses. This interactive deduction is a key gameplay element.
- Hardcore reasoning game (weight 0.07): The game is considered an extremely hardcore, niche reasoning game that demands intense logical thinking. It is not for casual players, but those who enjoy deep deduction will find it rewarding.
- Trapped in tower setting (weight 0.07): The setting takes place in a tower where a group of individuals is trapped, creating a closed-circle mystery. This confined environment intensifies the puzzle-solving atmosphere.
- Anime-style visual novel (weight 0.07): The game is presented as an anime-style visual novel, appealing to fans of the genre. Its visual presentation complements the text-heavy mystery gameplay.
- Scene jump without saving (weight 0.07): The game allows players to jump to any previously watched scene without needing to save, facilitating easy backtracking and review of key moments. This feature is praised for its convenience.
- Post-game stats page (weight 0.07): A post-game stats page displays player performance and answers, allowing for comparison and reflection. This feature adds a meta layer to the mystery-solving experience.

Performance notes:
No performancepoints

Recommendations:
- Recommended for mystery enthusiasts (weight 0.97): Many reviewers recommend the game to fans of mysteries, especially those who enjoy complex and difficult puzzles. The game is praised for its intricate mystery plot that rewards active engagement.
- Complex and convoluted plot (weight 0.52): The plot is described as extremely convoluted and complex, involving time travel and universe-switching. It is recommended for those who enjoy mind-bending mysteries and can handle the complexity.
- Recommended for puzzle lovers (weight 0.5): The game is highly recommended for players who enjoy solving complex puzzles and logic challenges. It is praised for its puzzle-focused nature and the satisfaction of figuring things out.
- Not for casual readers (weight 0.32): The game is repeatedly described as not suitable for casual readers or those seeking a relaxed, passive experience. It demands significant effort, attention, and commitment, which may deter casual players.
- Highly recommended overall (weight 0.22): Some reviewers give a strong, unconditional recommendation, praising the game as excellent and urging others to play it. They emphasize its quality and unique experience.
- Recommended for patient and dedicated players (weight 0.22): The game is recommended for patient reasoning enthusiasts who are willing to invest time and effort. It requires dedication and a willingness to embrace complexity and slow pacing.
- Lacks emotional and character depth (weight 0.22): Several reviewers note that the game is not recommended for those seeking emotional attachment or character-driven stories. The focus is on the mystery and logic, not on heartfelt narratives or character development.
- Requires note-taking and theorizing (weight 0.19): Reviewers recommend playing with paper and pen, taking notes, and actively theorizing to solve the mystery. The game expects players to engage deeply with the plot and track details.
- Worth the price (weight 0.18): A few reviewers mention that the game is worth its full price and even more so on sale. They consider it a good investment of money and time for the right audience.
- Not recommended for most people (weight 0.18): Some reviewers explicitly state that the game is not recommended for most people due to its niche nature and high demands. It is only for a specific subset of mystery lovers.
- For fans of specific creators (weight 0.17): The game is recommended for fans of Nakazawa and Uchikoshi, known for works like Remember11, Ever17, and 999. It appeals to those who appreciate their complex mystery and sci-fi narratives.
- Not for those seeking emotional experience (weight 0.15): The game is explicitly not recommended for players who value emotional experiences or character-driven narratives. It focuses on intellectual challenge rather than emotional engagement.
- Recommended for sci-fi time travel fans (weight 0.15): The game is recommended for fans of sci-fi stories involving time travel and universe-switching, such as Primer or Tenet. It delivers on complex sci-fi mystery elements.
- Niche and not for everyone (weight 0.14): The game is described as extremely niche, even among visual novel fans, and not suitable for most players. It requires a specific mindset and tolerance for complexity and slow pacing.
- Tentative recommendation (weight 0.14): A few reviewers give a tentative recommendation, suggesting that players should check other reviews or be cautious before buying. They acknowledge the game's quality but also its limitations.
- Best played blind (weight 0.13): Several reviewers suggest going into the game as blind as possible to fully enjoy the experience. They advise avoiding spoilers and trusting the developers' storytelling.
- Unique and rewarding experience (weight 0.13): The game is described as unique with tons to love, offering a rewarding experience for those who persevere. It is compared to a mountain climb, difficult to get into but rewarding at the peak.
- Not for those who prefer character-driven stories (weight 0.13): The game is not recommended for players who prefer character-driven narratives or emotional connections. It focuses on the mystery and logic, not on character development or heartwarming exchanges.
- Not for those who dislike reading (weight 0.1): The game is not recommended for players who do not enjoy reading, as it is a visual novel with lengthy internal monologues and detailed explanations. It requires a love for text-heavy storytelling.
- Not for those who want hand-holding (weight 0.1): The game does not hold the player's hand and is not recommended for those who prefer a less involved thriller or a story that guides them. It expects active participation in solving the mystery.

Other player notes:
- Comparable to Zero Escape and Infinity (weight 0.61): Multiple reviewers compare the game to the Zero Escape, Infinity, and Umineko series, often stating it rivals or surpasses them in complexity and mystery. This indicates the game is seen as a high-quality entry in the mystery visual novel genre.
- Long playtime around 40 hours (weight 0.18): Reviewers consistently report a playtime of approximately 40 hours, with some noting it can extend to 45 hours or more including thinking time. This suggests a substantial, content-rich experience.
- Developed by Trinitite Team (weight 0.15): The game is made by Trinitite Team, a small indie developer. This context helps explain the game's scope and limitations.
- No voice acting (weight 0.14): The game lacks voice acting, which reviewers attribute to budget constraints typical of indie productions. This is a notable limitation for players who expect voiced characters.
- No official Chinese localization (weight 0.13): The game has no official Chinese translation, though a machine-translated version exists. This limits accessibility for Chinese-speaking players.
- Chapter 1 is lengthy (weight 0.11): Chapter 1 takes a significant portion of the game, with estimates ranging from 5 to 20 hours, and nearly half the total playtime. This pacing may affect player engagement early on.
- Crowdfunded on Kickstarter (weight 0.09): The game was backed on Kickstarter, indicating community support and funding. This is a common route for indie VNs.
- Niche masterpiece for mystery fans (weight 0.08): The game is described as a niche masterpiece that is picky about its audience, not a gateway game for the genre. It appeals to hardcore mystery enthusiasts.
- Built with Ren'Py engine (weight 0.07): The game is developed using the Ren'Py visual novel engine, which is common for indie VNs. This technical detail is mentioned by reviewers.
- Originally written in English (weight 0.07): The game was written in English originally and is English-only, which may limit its international appeal but ensures authentic writing.
- Single main writer (weight 0.06): The game was written almost entirely by one main writer, which contributes to a consistent voice but may limit diversity.
- Fewer CGs than larger studios (weight 0.06): The game has fewer CGs than a larger studio would produce, due to budget constraints. This is a visual limitation.
- Western setting with Japanese names (weight 0.06): The game's setting feels Western despite Japanese names and currency, creating a unique cultural blend. This may be intentional.
- Development book available (weight 0.06): A development book is available for purchase, providing insight into the game's creation. This is a bonus for fans.
- Music tracks mostly licensed (weight 0.06): The soundtrack has 63 tracks, mostly licensed rather than original compositions. This may affect the game's musical identity.
- Second playthrough features (weight 0.04): The game offers a second playthrough with additional features, adding replay value. This is a positive point for mystery enthusiasts.
- Tips section contains extra story (weight 0.04): The tips section includes extra story content, rewarding thorough exploration. This is a unique feature appreciated by reviewers.
- Development took over five years (weight 0.04): The game was made over five years, indicating a long development cycle. This reflects the dedication of the small team.
- No Japanese translation (weight 0.04): The game has no Japanese translation, but it can be read with translation tools. This may affect Japanese-speaking players.
- End-game quiz is challenging (weight 0.04): Passing the end-game quiz with 65% correct puts the player in the minority, indicating a high difficulty level. This rewards attentive players.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.14): Players are frustrated by the game's excessive length, poor pacing, and convoluted writing that makes the complex mystery hard to follow. The lack of official Chinese localization, bugs in the notes interface, and an unsolvable mystery with insufficient tools further compound this frustration.
- Admiration (weight 0.11): Players admire the game's intricate, self-consistent time travel mystery and the meticulous construction of its plot. The complex story, high-quality music, and detailed world-building are seen as a towering achievement in the visual novel genre.
- Disappointment (weight 0.09): Players are disappointed by the flat, uninteresting characters and the story's lack of emotional depth or overarching themes. The convoluted plot, unsolvable mystery, and unsatisfying ending fail to deliver on the game's potential.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.08): Players enjoy the challenging puzzle-solving, note-taking experience, and the engaging mystery. The fantastic atmosphere, soundtrack, and the satisfaction of thinking through the intricate logic contribute to a highly enjoyable read.
- Appreciation (weight 0.06): Players appreciate the game's unique design, top-notch note-taking system, and the ingenious narrative structure. The well-developed characters, mature approach to mystery, and high-quality music and visuals are also valued.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.06): Players feel satisfaction from successfully solving the game's dense puzzles and making connections through replaying with the flowchart. The rewarding experience of pulling apart the intricate mystery and the well-written, plot-hole-free story are key sources of this emotion.
- Awe (weight 0.03): Players are in awe of the game's innovative and rigorous time travel design, and the unparalleled complexity and depth of its mystery. The fact that the insanely complex plot actually makes sense is a source of wonder.
- Boredom (weight 0.03): Players experience boredom during the long opening chapter and other slow sections that drag with lengthy explanations. The convoluted intrigue can become hard to follow, making the game feel like a slog or a textbook.
- Love (weight 0.03): Players love the game for its excellently crafted mystery, which respects the player and encourages solving it. The intelligent characters and rewarding, touching plot make it one of the best visual novels they have ever played.
- Annoyance (weight 0.03): Players are annoyed by the clunky, verbose writing and the smug tone of the narrator during the quiz. An unlikeable character, distracting OST songs, and hard-to-read text on white backgrounds also contribute to this feeling.
- Confusion (weight 0.02): Players are confused by the game's extremely complex explanations and unclear epilogue access. The story is hard to understand, with confusing events and questions that seem impossible to reason out.
- Respect (weight 0.02): Players respect the game's intricate and ambitious structure, and the insane effort that must have gone into creating a complex mystery free from plot holes. The game is seen as a beautiful work of art and masterfully written.
- Excitement (weight 0.02): Players are excited by the novel ideas and the powerful quality of life features. The complex mystery and detailed world-building kept them engaged and provided a unique experience worth having.
- Indifference (weight 0.02): Players feel indifferent because they did not care about the characters or the story, and had no emotional response to the mystery reveal. The experience was not satisfying, and they stopped caring halfway through.
- Amazement (weight 0.02): Players are amazed by the story's intricate nature without any holes, and the frequency of masterfully delivered bombshells. The level of detail and the many 'aha' moments are out of this world.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.01): Players are enthusiastic about the game, describing it as an incredible, one-of-a-kind mystery. The compelling intrigue and complex story are like no other.
- Joy (weight 0.01): Players experience joy from the supreme experience the game provides, and the sense of sudden clarity when organizing its details. It is one of the best experiences they have ever had reading fiction.
- Exhaustion (weight 0.01): Players feel mentally drained by the game's incredibly fast pace and the nonstop stream of unexplainable events. The extended final exam and lacking characters contribute to this exhaustion.
- Reward (weight 0.01): Players feel rewarded by the puzzle-solving, especially in the final acts. Getting questions right and the overall experience of solving the mystery is deeply satisfying.
- Gratitude (weight 0.01): Players are grateful for the Chinese translation patch, which made the game readable and allowed them to play it. This was a key factor in their ability to enjoy the game.}