Kathy Rain 2: Soothsayer
" Atmospheric indie adventure with exceptional pixel art and strong story, but pacing issues "
Kathy Rain 2: Soothsayer Review
Kathy Rain 2: Soothsayer is widely praised as a worthy sequel that builds upon the strengths of the original game while introducing improvements in graphics, storytelling, and gameplay mechanics. Players appreciate the top-notch pixel art, immersive sound design, and strong voice acting that enhance the atmospheric and mature narrative. The game maintains a serious tone with a gripping mystery and complex character development, especially highlighting the protagonist Kathy and her relationships. Logical puzzles are well integrated, offering a satisfying challenge without being overly difficult. The story explores themes of friendship, supernatural mysticism, and crime investigation with a slower, more deliberate pace that suits the point-and-click format.
Some players note the sequel's supernatural elements become more overt, which may not appeal to all fans of the grounded mystery tone established earlier. A few also mention minor pacing issues and a somewhat rushed ending, but overall the game is seen as a significant step forward that fans of the genre will enjoy and hope to see continued in future installments.
Highlights
The game’s pixel art and animation are exceptional, capturing a nostalgic yet polished 90s aesthetic.
Players praise the voice acting and soundtrack for adding depth and emotion.
The storyline is engaging and mature, with well-developed characters and a compelling mystery involving a serial killer.
Logical puzzles integrate smoothly with gameplay, avoiding frustrating "moon logic".
The atmosphere and setting feel immersive and well-crafted, enhancing the noir detective experience.
Criticisms
Some players felt the supernatural elements were too explicit and detracted from the grounded mystery vibe.
The ending was described as rushed and less satisfying compared to the rest of the game.
A few noted pacing issues, with the story feeling uneven at times.
Some puzzles were considered too easy or abstract, and a few minor interface quirks were mentioned.
A small number of players disliked the inclusion of certain social themes and character design changes, feeling they disrupted immersion.
Pros
- • Exceptional pixel art and detailed animations create a nostalgic atmosphere.
- • Strong voice acting enhances character depth and emotional engagement.
- • Well-written story with mature themes and complex protagonist development.
- • Logical and fair puzzles integrated smoothly into gameplay.
- • Immersive sound design and soundtrack complement the mood perfectly.
- • Improved interface and quality of life features over the first game.
- • Engaging mystery plot with a good balance of investigation and tension.
Cons
- • Supernatural elements become too explicit, reducing mystery and subtlety.
- • Ending feels rushed and less satisfying than the build-up.
- • Some pacing issues with uneven story progression.
- • Occasional puzzles are too easy or rely on abstract logic.
- • Certain interface moments can be clunky or unintuitive.
- • A few players disliked changes to Kathy’s appearance and character portrayal.
- • Inclusion of social themes felt forced or distracting to some players.
Rating Criteria
In this point-and-click urban thriller, down-and-out private eye Kathy Rain will embark on her most dangerous case yet — the pursuit of the notorious serial killer known as the Soothsayer. Find clues, gather evidence, connect the dots, and confront the murderer before the hunter becomes the hunted…
