MiSide

Developer: AIHASTO
Release: Dec 10th 2024
Platforms:
Adventure
Indie
RPG
Simulation
Innovative
Atmospheric
Emotional
Immersive
Pacing
MiSide Poster

" Unique adventure RPG simulation with emotionally deep story and slow pacing "

MiSide Review

MiSide is a highly praised psychological horror adventure game that masterfully blends elements of dating sims, puzzle-solving, and atmospheric exploration. Players are drawn into a surreal world filled with multiple versions of a character named Mita, each with distinct personalities, creating a rich narrative about memory, identity, and emotional connection. The game’s unique art style combines 3D objects with 2D outlines in pastel tones, delivering a visually captivating experience that runs smoothly on various systems.

Gameplay involves a mix of stealth, puzzles, minigames, and horror sequences, with a pacing that alternates between tension and comfort, keeping players engaged and on edge. The soundtrack and sound design significantly enhance the immersion, complementing the haunting yet charming atmosphere. While some players find the story abstract and the pacing slow at times, the overall reception highlights the game’s innovative storytelling and emotional depth. MiSide is recommended for players who appreciate narrative-driven horror with creative mechanics and a strong emotional core.

Highlights

Players especially praise MiSide’s innovative blend of gameplay mechanics including puzzles, stealth, minigames, and horror elements that keep the experience fresh. The visuals stand out due to their unique pastel-toned 3D/2D hybrid style, which is both charming and atmospheric. The storyline is lauded for its depth and emotional impact, exploring themes of identity and loneliness through multiple versions of the character Mita. The soundtrack and voice acting further enhance the immersive experience, with many noting the game’s smooth performance and excellent optimization.

Criticisms

Some players felt the game’s pacing could be slow and drawn out, especially for those expecting a more traditional horror or dating sim experience. The narrative’s abstract nature may leave some wanting more concrete answers or clearer direction. A few reviewers noted that the promotional tags and descriptions could be misleading, as the game is not a typical dating sim but a psychological horror with survival elements. Minor bugs were reported but generally rare, and some found the difficulty and challenge level uneven, with occasional frustration in action segments.

Pros

  • Unique blend of horror, dating sim, and puzzle gameplay mechanics.
  • Visually captivating art style with smooth performance and optimization.
  • Deep, emotionally resonant storyline exploring identity and memory.
  • Engaging soundtrack and immersive voice acting enhance atmosphere.
  • Multiple distinct versions of characters add narrative richness.
  • Balanced pacing alternating between horror and comforting moments.
  • Minigames and varied gameplay keep the experience fresh and fun.

Cons

  • Pacing can feel slow or drawn out for some players.
  • Abstract story may leave players wanting clearer narrative answers.
  • Promotional tags may mislead about game genre and gameplay style.
  • Some action segments can be frustrating or difficult to complete.
  • Limited replayability for those not interested in achievements.
  • Occasional minor bugs, though generally rare and non-disruptive.
  • Not ideal for players expecting a traditional dating sim experience.

Rating Criteria

Story
Difficulty
Graphics
Duration
Stability
Worth the Price
Capsule image

Let's imagine that you have a game in which you care for a character. But could you imagine one day getting into that game yourself?

Release Date Dec 10th 2024
Publisher IndieArk, Shochiku (Japan)
Developer AIHASTO
Platforms

User Reviews

Overwhelmingly Positive (21,798)
99% Positive 1% Negative