Info about Corpse Party:

Official game description:
Kisaragi Academy student Mayu Suzumoto is transferring to a new high school, leaving behind a sizable group of friends and countless lovely memories. To help her cope with this move, her friend Ayumi has devised a seemingly innocent plan: the whole group will come together to perform a charm she found on the internet called “Sachiko Ever After,” which is supposed to bind all of its participants together as friends to the end.  
This does not go as expected.  
Following an intense earthquake, the group awakens to find themselves separated and trapped in an alternate reality version of Heavenly Host Elementary, a tragedy-stricken institution that once stood on the site of their own school but was torn down long ago. Here, the vengeful spirits of elementary-aged children threaten their lives and their sanity, and the only hope of escape – much less survival – is to uncover the chilling details surrounding the murders of those trapped before them.  
_Corpse Party_ is the original Windows edition of the cult classic horror game that gained a considerable fanbase when released on Sony’s PlayStation®Portable system in 2011. Beginning life as an independent RPG Maker adventure title in 1996, the gameplay was greatly refined and the story greatly expanded for this 2008 remake, featuring more characters, more detailed interactions, darker story elements, over 5,000 lines of voice-acting and dozens of shocking, gruesome endings. Players take control of nine main characters and several side characters who’ve been split up into groups of two or three and trapped in a run-down, otherworldly elementary school full of vengeful spirits, deadly mysteries and – of course – corpses. As they walk around examining objects and bodies in an atmospheric 2D environment, a horror tale spanning over 50 years begins to unfold, and player choices determine both how the story ends and who lives to see it through.
**KEY FEATURES**
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**Highly Detailed Retro-Style Graphics Used to Enhance Atmosphere**  
Modeled after the very first RPG Maker _Corpse Party_, the game’s 16-bit-style 2D visuals help create an intentional disconnect that sparks the imagination, leading the player to envision far worse things than even the most powerful next-gen system could display.  
**Adventure-Style Gameplay Where Your Decisions Make All the Difference**  
Playing like a cross between a point-and-click adventure game and a classic JRPG sans battles, _Corpse Party_ gives players the freedom to thoroughly explore every last corner of Heavenly Host Elementary School, significantly altering the course of the story and its final conclusion based on where the characters go and what they do.  
**Chapter-Based Storytelling with PC-Exclusive Content**  
The tale is told through five main chapters with multiple endings each and numerous scenes that differ from the game’s PSP™ system and Nintendo 3DS™ system counterparts. In addition, there are four bonus chapters, one of which is a PC-exclusive retelling of the “Tooth” story from _Corpse Party: Book of Shadows_, recreated with added content in classic _Corpse Party_ adventure style.  
**Original Japanese Voice Cast and Character Art plus Text Skip Feature**  
Over 5,000 lines of spoken Japanese dialogue from the original indie voice cast complement the action, giving new spins on familiar characters for series veterans. In addition, the original PC-exclusive character art is fully intact, and dedicated players seeking every ending are given a speedy fast-forward function to make replays a breeze.  
**The Game That Started It All**  
When first released in 2008, this title sparked a _Corpse Party_ boom in Japan: remakes, sequels, spin-offs, fan games, manga, anime, a live-action drama series and more, as well as countless _Corpse Party_\-inspired horror games created by other indie developers in the same style. Come see how it all began, and experience the horror the way it was meant to be seen...

Release date: 25 Apr, 2016

Categories: Single-player Story, Multiple Endings, Visual Novel, Point-and-click Adventure, Exploration, Atmospheric Horror, Puzzle Solving, Choice-based Narrative


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


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:
- Exceptional Story & Multiple Endings (weight 0.96): The game's story is consistently praised as fantastic, well-written, and engaging, with numerous plot twists that keep players hooked. The inclusion of multiple endings, including 'wrong ends' and extra chapters, significantly enhances replayability and overall value.
- Highly Enjoyable & Well-Made Game (weight 0.54): Players found the game to be very good, enjoyable, and well-made, often exceeding expectations. It offers a fun and engaging experience with a strong atmosphere and good writing, making it worth the price.
- Classic RPG Maker Horror (weight 0.47): The game is celebrated as a classic and a masterpiece within the RPG Maker horror genre. It effectively creates fear through gruesome descriptions, cruel stories, and pixel art, rather than relying heavily on jumpscares.
- Emotionally Impactful & Terrifying (weight 0.4): Players describe the game as emotionally destroying, terrifying, and full of tension, leading to strong reactions like laughter, crying, and screaming. It's considered a memorable horror experience that sticks with players long after completion.
- Corpse Party Series Legacy (weight 0.33): The game is recognized as a fantastic horror title and a favorite within the Corpse Party series. While this version is good, the 2021 remake offers enhanced graphics, voice acting, and additional content, providing a more detailed experience.
- Strong Character Development (weight 0.32): The characters are highly likable, charismatic, and well-developed, making players genuinely care about their fates. Their unique personalities and relationships contribute significantly to the game's appeal and narrative depth.
- Outstanding Sound & Atmosphere (weight 0.27): The game features an exceptional soundtrack and sound design that greatly contribute to its creepy and tense atmosphere. The music is often highlighted as a strong point, effectively setting the mood and enhancing suspense.
- Charming Retro Graphics (weight 0.13): Despite minimalist or retro pixel graphics, players found them charming, believable, and effective in creating suspense and scares. The art style is appreciated for its ability to evoke horror and sometimes preferred over updated versions.
- Personal Favorite & Nostalgic (weight 0.08): For many, the game holds a special place as a personal favorite JRPG or horror title, often evoking nostalgia. Its well-developed universe and memorable moments contribute to its lasting appeal.

Common complaints:
- Poor Art Style & Visuals (weight 0.97): The game's art style and character designs are frequently criticized for being dated, ugly, childish, or simplified compared to other versions. The absence of detailed CGs and full-screen illustrations significantly detracts from the horror atmosphere and overall visual presentation, making many intense moments feel less impactful.
- Inferior Version & Missing Content (weight 0.73): Many players feel this version is significantly inferior to previous releases (especially PSP/Vita/iOS), citing a lack of full Japanese voice acting, missing CGs, cut scenes, and entire chapters. This leads to a perception of a 'watered-down' or 'incomplete' experience, with some veterans finding it underwhelming and not worth the asking price.
- Subpar Voice Acting & Audio (weight 0.7): The voice acting is a major point of contention, with many players noting poor audio quality, inconsistent performances, and a general inferiority compared to the PSP version. The lack of full voice acting and different voice actors for key characters (like Ayumi) further detracts from the experience.
- Confusing & Tedious Gameplay (weight 0.61): Players report significant frustration with the gameplay, describing it as confusing, boring, and tedious. The lack of clear direction, absence of puzzles, and requirement to interact with obscure objects often necessitate using external guides to progress or find all endings, leading to excessive backtracking and replaying sections.
- Limited Save Slots & Bugs (weight 0.27): The game is hampered by a restrictive three-save-slot system, which complicates exploring multiple endings and can lead to significant progress loss. Players also reported random crashes during saving and issues with specific save slots after updates.
- Poor UI & Controls (weight 0.19): The user interface is criticized for being too colorful and generally 'trash.' Controller support is also problematic, with inaccurate joystick/d-pad input and overly sensitive analog sticks, making certain gameplay segments difficult.
- Weak Story Pacing & Characters (weight 0.15): The story's initial pacing is slow and boring, introducing too many characters that players don't care about. Some characters feel like filler, and their deaths or insanity fail to evoke emotional investment, leading to an empty feeling at the end.
- Uncomfortable & Cringey Content (weight 0.13): Some players found certain aspects of the game disturbing in an uncomfortable, cringey, or borderline fetishistic way, rather than genuinely horrific. This, combined with 'out-of-pocket' writing, made the experience less enjoyable for them.
- Excessive & Unskippable Text (weight 0.11): The game features a very heavy amount of text, with many dialogue scenes (especially intro/outro) being unskippable or only fast-forwardable. This can be annoying for players who dislike extensive reading and contributes to the overall tedium.

Gameplay feedback:
- Multiple Endings & Replayability (weight 0.63): The game features numerous endings per chapter, including one 'true' ending and many 'wrong' or 'bad' endings. Players are encouraged to replay chapters and make different choices to discover all outcomes, which is crucial for understanding the lore and achieving 100% completion.
- Adventure/Visual Novel Hybrid Gameplay (weight 0.39): Gameplay primarily involves exploration, object interaction, and puzzle-solving, with a heavy emphasis on dialogue and story. It's often described as a blend of a visual novel and an adventure game, rather than a traditional RPG, despite its RPG Maker origins.
- Remake of a Classic PC Game (weight 0.31): This 2016 PC version is a remake of the 1996 PC-98 game, distinct from the PSP version. It shares the core story with other releases but includes exclusive extra chapters and some minor differences in presentation.
- RPG Maker Horror Game (weight 0.25): The game is an RPG Maker horror title, utilizing 16-bit style graphics and 4-directional movement. While made with RPG Maker, it deviates from typical RPG mechanics, focusing more on adventure and horror elements.
- Trapped in a Haunted School (weight 0.16): The central plot revolves around a group of students who perform a ritual and are transported to a cursed, abandoned school in an alternate dimension. They are separated and must navigate the haunted environment, solve puzzles, and find a way to escape.
- Punishing Death Mechanics (weight 0.13): The game features frequent and often unavoidable character deaths ('Wrong Ends') resulting from incorrect choices, over-exploring, or failing specific interactions. This can lead to repeated playthroughs of sections, sometimes due to unclear triggers or confusing navigation.
- Atmospheric Gore Horror (weight 0.1): The game creates tension and horror through its atmosphere and scene depictions, effectively using pixel art to convey gore and disturbing imagery. It relies less on jump scares and more on psychological dread and a willingness to kill off characters.
- Guide Recommended for Completion (weight 0.06): Due to the complex branching paths, numerous endings, and sometimes obscure puzzle triggers, many players recommend using a guide to achieve 100% completion and avoid excessive backtracking, which can take around 26 hours.
- Limited Save Slots & Controls (weight 0.06): Players are restricted to only three save slots per chapter, which can be challenging given the game's length and numerous death scenarios. Control options are also noted as limited.
- Lack of Animated Cutscenes (weight 0.05): The game generally lacks animated cutscenes, relying more on static images and dialogue to convey its narrative. Minor scenes, like the prologue, may differ slightly from other versions but do not impact the main storyline.
- Minimal RPG Elements (weight 0.05): The game does not feature traditional RPG elements like maps, leveling, or monster fighting. It is a single-player experience focused on narrative and exploration.

Performance notes:
- Smooth Performance (weight 0.11): Players consistently report that the game runs smoothly at 60 FPS with no lag during scene transitions, a significant improvement over previous versions. This indicates a well-optimized technical foundation.
- Steam Deck Compatibility (weight 0.03): The game is fully compatible with the Steam Deck, offering a seamless portable gaming experience. This broadens its accessibility and appeal to a wider audience.
- Optimized Battery Life (weight 0.03): The game is noted for maximizing battery life during play, which is a positive for portable gaming and extended sessions. This suggests efficient resource management.
- Clearer Tilesets (weight 0.03): Players appreciate the improved clarity of the tilesets, enhancing the visual experience. This indicates attention to detail in the game's graphical assets.
- Low System Requirements (weight 0.03): The game has low system requirements, likely due to its RPG Maker origin, making it accessible on a wide range of hardware. This ensures broad compatibility and ease of access.

Recommendations:
- Prefer 2021 Remake or Other Versions (weight 0.83): Many reviewers strongly recommend playing the 2021 remastered version of Corpse Party or other console versions (PSP, 3DS) over this specific PC release. These alternative versions are often cited for offering a more definitive, improved, or complete experience with better graphics, voice acting, and additional content.
- Recommended for Horror Fans (weight 0.42): This game is highly recommended for fans of story-heavy, psychological horror, especially those who appreciate RPG Maker horror titles. It's noted for its strong emotional core and thrilling narrative, often without relying on traditional jumpscares.
- Play for Story and Series Continuity (weight 0.14): This version is recommended for those interested in the overarching story of the Corpse Party series or for players who want to experience the full narrative leading into sequels like Book of Shadows.
- High Overall Game Rating (weight 0.13): Despite recommendations for other versions, the game itself receives very high ratings from players, with scores frequently in the 9/10 or 5/5 range, indicating a strong positive reception for the core game experience.
- Save Often and Explore (weight 0.08): Players are advised to save frequently and explore thoroughly, as every action in the game is said to matter. This suggests a gameplay style where player choices and careful progression are important.
- Use Community Patches (weight 0.04): It is highly recommended to install community-made mods or patches that convert sprites and voice work to match the quality of the Repeated Fear or 3DS versions, enhancing the experience of this PC release.

Other player notes:
- Multiple Versions and Remakes (weight 0.44): There are numerous versions of 'Corpse Party' across different platforms (PC, PSP, 3DS, PS4, Switch), with significant differences in graphics, CG scenes, and character art. The Steam version is a PC port of an older remake, distinct from the original 1996 RPG Maker game and later console remakes.
- Intense Gore and Dark Themes (weight 0.23): The game is noted for its extremely gruesome content, dark imagery, and descriptive violence, which some players found unsettling. It uses gore effectively to build tension rather than relying on cheap jumpscares, but its heavy subjects may be unsuitable for sensitive players.
- Gameplay and Player Experience (weight 0.15): A significant portion of the game involves reading text on a black background. Players recommend using strategy guides for branching paths and 'wrong ends'. The name tag collection enhances the atmosphere, and the game runs perfectly when opened manually from folders.
- Extensive Lore and Adaptations (weight 0.14): Corpse Party is a broad universe with multiple game versions, sequels, anime, and manga adaptations. The anime OVA, while similar, glances over key plot points and serves as a springboard for 'Book of Shadows'.
- Minor Issues and Details (weight 0.1): Achievement pictures contain spoilers, and the game advertises the next series installment at the end. There's also a question about Chinese language support and a plan to add a Rusificator for the PC version.

Emotions:
- Satisfaction (weight 0.23): Players felt satisfied due to the game's high overall quality, engaging story, memorable characters, and immersive atmosphere. The unique horror experience, well-crafted soundtrack, and replayability through multiple endings and achievements also contributed significantly to their enjoyment and perceived value.
- Disappointment (weight 0.13): Disappointment stemmed primarily from missing content, particularly CG art and key scenes, in certain game versions. Players also expressed dissatisfaction with downgraded art styles, poor voice acting, and perceived high pricing for the content offered, often comparing it unfavorably to other versions like the PSP release.
- Frustration (weight 0.1): Frustration was caused by confusing gameplay mechanics, such as a lack of clear direction, tedious backtracking, and obscure triggers for progression or bad endings, often necessitating the use of guides. Limited save slots, unskippable dialogue, and technical issues like bugs or poor art design also contributed to player annoyance.
- Excitement (weight 0.09): Players experienced excitement due to the game's effective horror elements, particularly its ability to scare without relying on jumpscares, and its impactful plot developments and twists. The overall positive and intense gameplay experience, coupled with anticipation for future series installments, generated significant enthusiasm.
- Preference (weight 0.06): Players expressed strong preferences for specific game versions, most notably recommending the 2021 version for new players due to its perceived improvements and completeness. Conversely, some preferred older versions like the PSP release or modded versions, citing superior gameplay or the inclusion of content missing from other releases.
- Love (weight 0.05): Love for the game and the Corpse Party series was driven by its compelling story, well-developed characters, and impactful plot twists. Many players developed a deep affection for the franchise, often after initial exposure through playthroughs or earlier versions, considering it an all-time favorite.
- Fear (weight 0.04): Fear was a direct result of the game's effective horror elements, including impactful scenes, brutal murder depictions, and unsettling sound design. The game's ability to create a genuinely scary and nightmare-inducing atmosphere, especially when played in the dark, contributed to this emotion.
- Appreciation (weight 0.03): Players appreciated the game's inherent quality, engaging plot, rich characters, and excellent music and sound design, even when acknowledging its flaws. The originality of the horror elements and the overall craftsmanship of the story and exploration were highly valued.
- Surprise (weight 0.03): Surprise arose from the game exceeding expectations, particularly given its RPG Maker origins, and from unexpected plot developments and twists. Players were pleasantly surprised by the game's quality and its ability to subvert initial negative assumptions.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.03): Nostalgia was triggered by recalling the game's history, its various versions, and the familiar setting of Heavenly Host Elementary. Long-time fans of the series and those who appreciated its atmospheric horror reminiscent of older games experienced a sentimental connection.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.02): Players found enjoyment in the game's engaging story, well-developed characters, and immersive atmosphere. The combination of fun gameplay, effective horror, and a nostalgic experience contributed to an overall positive and entertaining time with the game.
- Annoyance (weight 0.02): Annoyance stemmed from tedious gameplay elements, specific character portrayals (such as screaming and whining), and slow pacing caused by unskippable scenes, particularly black screens with subtitles.
- Joy (weight 0.02): Joy was experienced through the game's blend of scary and fun elements, the appeal of its strange characters, and the satisfaction of replaying familiar stories. The release of Corpse Party on Steam also brought joy to many fans.
- Engagement (weight 0.02): Players felt engaged by the game's compelling storytelling, well-written characters, and immersive atmosphere, which kept them hooked. The desire to achieve specific endings and the emotional connection to the characters also fostered strong engagement.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Anger was caused by frustrating gameplay mechanics, poor user interface, and unfitting audio, leading to a feeling that the game was ruined. The necessity of restarting due to minor oversights and the inability to get refunds also provoked anger.
- Discomfort (weight 0.01): Discomfort arose from the game's disturbing content, including graphic scenes and elements perceived as borderline fetishistic. The sexualization of female characters in certain scenes also contributed to this feeling.
- Recommendation (weight 0.01): Players recommended the game to others, either to share a good experience despite its flaws or to guide them towards a superior version of the game. This indicates a desire for others to enjoy or experience the game in its best form.
- Interest (weight 0.01): Interest was piqued by the game's twisted and complex plot, its intriguing mysteries, and the disturbing nature of its story. The presence of interesting characters and numerous plot twists also maintained player curiosity.
- Terror (weight 0.01): Terror was evoked by the game's effective sound design, its oppressive atmosphere, and the presence of frightening enemies. These elements combined to create an intense and terrifying experience for players.
- Amusement (weight 0.01): Amusement was derived from the game's campy, over-the-top, and sometimes ridiculous moments, as well as specific elements like Ayumi's voice acting. The unexpected presence of puzzles in a game titled 'Corpse Party' also provided a source of lighthearted amusement.}