Don't Be Fooled! It's NIGHTMARE FUEL: The Most I can Say About Doki Doki Literature Club WITHOUT Spoiling the Game for Everyone!

Let me just start this out by saying that THIS IS ONE SPECIAL GAME. Earlier this week, I took up Steemit user @apsu's challenge to play and write a review for this game. He had done one himself, but I felt that it didn't explain thoroughly enough about what this game was about, but I was intrigued enough to investigate it for myself.

It's a recent Visual Novel game that you can pick up on Steam for free, with the option to purchase an additional "fan pack" for $9.99. I did not look anything up for gameplay in advance, but I was excited to give this one a go since I like obscure games, almost to an obsessive level.

As promised, no spoilers period, while I give the most in-depth review of this game as humanly possible. I didn't pick up this game for hype, as I was already avid player in this genre. In this article I will cover many aspects that you won't find in any other article about this game online.

---

Game Research

I did take a look at who made the game and when it came out, as I felt doing anything more would ruin it for me. The makers for this title are Team Salvato, and when I visited their site I realized that this is their first game. I play these types of games often so I was hoping to find something else they made that I've played before. There is no reference point here... weird. Doki Doki was only released last month, and had its Steam release on October 6th.

Initial Reaction

While reading the game description, downloading, and opening the game for the first time, there are a lot of suspicious warnings that simply seem out of place for this type of game. The first thought I had was this may just be a psychological thriller game that pretends to be a Visual Novel. I'll get back to this in a moment, because there is a short list of games and anime that do this; all of them are absolutely amazing, and have cult followings. I walked into this with high expectations, but would they be too high? Was I just being paranoid?

---

The Basics of the Literature Club

• You play as a guy (not an Otome or girl's love title)
• You are basically an Otaku, who knows nothing about writing
• There are 4 girls to interact with
• VN classic, choose your own adventure story

---

Post Introduction Impressions

Before I've even made my first "choice" in the game, I've noticed a few things that are non-spoilers I can share. The intro is long, so pay attention! A lot of what the characters say gives you insight on what to expect, or at least what you think you should expect later on.

This is a game for people who think they've played it all. If you are as seasoned as I am at these titles, you will be blown away at what this game does and how well it does it. Since this is a text-heavy reader, I looked up how long it takes to play through, and I'm not disappointed. Many VNs struggle to break the 2 hour mark, only the most polished games have stats like this. This page also includes other time stats.

What's Actually Pretty Cool In This Title

If you've ever wanted to improve your writing skill, whether it be for a story, or poetry, the writing advice and perspectives this game directly gives you can genuinely help improve your capabilities. I've never seen a game actually do this, so they get brownie points for being more than a game. Also, to advance the text, you can use mouse, space bar, or enter so you can get really comfortable while playing!

Cliches and Tropes

This game is full of them, at first glance. Rather, this is what the game wants you to think this title is about with all the pink tones, and bubbly music. Holy shit, as I write this review there is so much I cannot say. If you like VNs, 2d horror, Otome, or Dating Sims, don't stop playing, especially if you think this game "is nothing special". It's safe to say that this game only really starts after the first play through, your brain matter will explode all over the floor- I promise you.

Forget what's on the tin with this one, it's a full fledged psychological thriller game, and those warnings are there to help you.

My Reactions From The First Play Through

I started by doing my standard tactic, choose one girl- play her arc, except that didn't work this time. Partway through, I had a "change of heart" and went after a different one. Save a lot, and be careful, really think out your choices here. I identified hard with one of the characters, even crying when I read something "they wrote", early on into the game. There is a lot of struggle, and hidden emotions. If you've been hunting for a feels train, all aboard!

---

This Game Reminds Me of...

Another game that's advertised as a classic Otome (for girls game) called Nameless, made by Cheritz Studio (2015). It was a $30 game gifted to me back on release that features several extremely sexy Korean men, and is fully voice acted! If you have already played all of Doki Doki Literature Club, I highly recommend picking up this title as well- because they both pretend to be regular games. Fortunately this title also got ported to Steam!

source

In Nameless the story starts out innocently enough, but as you progress, the game gets darker. The more you immerse yourself, the more you realize that this was never intended to be a happy game. I have been playing it on and off since I got it, and am only halfway through the total number of arcs, because of how terrifying it gets and how slow I enjoy playing these. All I wanted to do was play a dating game, and I got something way better instead. I absolutely love horror titles but need the right head space to play them, if you are depressed yourself- don't play these.

When I finished my first play run of Doki Doki Literature Club, I got up away from my computer and went outside for a walk.

---

BUT! If you are up for some good ol' 4th wall breaking, genre crossing, mind f****, this is a great title, and in the lists below are some of my other favorites that crossed my mind while playing this one. If you are familiar with any of these titles, you may have a better understanding about what this game is actually about than the average player!

These links are very basic, if you do not mind spoilers galore, please research at your own risk!

Games In The Same Realm as Doki Doki Literature Club:

1. Nameless ~The one thing you must recall~
2. IB
3. Yume Nikki
4. LSD Dream Emulator

Anime in the Same Realm:

1. Shinsekai Yori
2. Mahou Shojou Madoka Magica

---

In conclusion, this game is such a rare gem that it would break my heart and the hearts of many dedicated gamers to give anything away. It's nowhere near what you think it is about, and I've been waiting for quite a while for something like this to pop up. Team Salvato did such an amazing job, and now these guys are on my radar. I'm not saying anything else, but if you just don't wanna fall asleep tonight- be sure to check out Doki Doki Literature Club.

☆~As always, thank you for taking the opportunity to stop by my article! If you want to check out some of my other recent posts, you can find them here~☆


Gaining Control Over Depressive Thoughts or...


THE TIPS AND TRICKS STYLING GUIDE to Finding, Using, and Creating with Text and Images - MAKE YOUR BLOGS STAND OUT Beyond the Crowd