Back in 1996, writer and game designer Makoto Kedouin had a vision for a horror game. Joining up with Team GrisGris, that vision became a reality. Corpse Party, a pixel-style survival horror game, was unlike anything that had ever come from the RPG Maker system. With aspects of the horror genre as well as elements of RPGs, Corpse Party created a unique experience that took the world by storm. The game did so well that a multitude of remakes, ports, and sequels were launched over the years.
Blood Covered, Repeated Fear, Another Child, Book of Shadows, are just a few of the many titles that have helped keep this franchise alive. Corpse Party 2021 is the latest rendition of the Japanese "cult classic" and brings all of the terror that the franchise has accrued for itself and much more. With fully voiced dialogue and high-quality CGs and portraits, this remake promises to be a game to remember, but there are a few things to keep in mind before diving into this demented game.
8 This Game Is Not For The Faint Of Heart
The first thing to know about this game is that, as the name suggests, is a horror title. Not only that, but this is a horror game revolving around children. Sure, seeing teens cut down one after the other is heavily prevalent in many recent slasher and horror movies, but there's something chilling about watching bright, chibified characters being stalked and horribly maimed by ghosts.
On top of the age of the characters, this game is nearly as bloody as God of War. Nearly every cutscene in this game depicts a corpse or some mutilated spirit. There are themes of suicide, cannibalism, possession, and, of course, murder. This game goes to some unexpectedly dark places, a fact that is often lost when people look at its 16-bit graphics.
7 More Of A Visual Novel Than A Survival Game
Despite being made on RPG Maker, and often being classified as a JRPG, Corpse Party is more of a story than a game. Much like the telltale genre, players are essentially following along as though reading the chapters of a book. Yes, there's exploration and puzzle solving, but what has always been the main draw of this franchise has been the story.
The intense dialogue between very well-developed characters. The artfully drawn cutscenes and visuals brand themselves within players' minds. These are the main draw. They come together to tell a compelling, if not terrifying, story. The gameplay may be what categorizes it, but the story defines Corpse Party.
6 A Haunting Aesthetic To A Haunting Game
Like any game worth its salt, the ambiance is a key feature. For horror games specifically, including the right music can make or break a game. To sell that creepy and suspenseful aesthetic, the background ambiance needs to portray the tension and uncertainty of the game. If the atmosphere doesn't match the tone that the game is trying to portray, the game is less effective in its delivery. The developers of Corpse Party clearly understood this.
The game immediately starts with one of the characters telling a scary story with a stormy backdrop, immediately setting the game as horror. It's cliche, yes, but it's effective in setting the tone that will persist throughout the game. The creepy laughter of ghostly children, the gruesome sounds of tearing, the hauntingly intense melody that plays as you explore, and numerous bone-chilling screams all add to the tone of the game, creating an atmosphere that keeps players on the edge of their seats.
5 There Is No Combat. Just Survival
Corpse Party (2021), despite being classified as an adventure-horror game, doesn't follow the typical standards that come with such a title. Unlike Resident Evil, The Evil Within, or even Dead Space, there is no fighting against the horrors that plague this group of students. This game is purely about survival.
There are no weapons, healing items, or armor anywhere to be found in this game. This isn't a game where you can simply go mano y mano against the supernatural forces hunting you. All of these enemies can and will kill your character without hesitation or mercy in some of the most brutal ways ever seen from an RPG. All you can do is run from these vengeful spirits.
4 The Health Bar Is Deceiving
When players are first dropped into the game, they are greeted by several things right off the bat. One such thing is in the top right corner of the screen, right below a cute picture of the player you're currently playing as. A series of numbers representing your current health pool. This is your first enemy.
It doesn't matter what that number says because, if a ghost catches you, you're dead. Your character is outright killed by anything and everything in this game. In reality, those numbers are just as much an enemy as any of the spirits. They trick players into thinking that they can afford to be anything less than cautious when one misstep could spell the end.
3 Death Is Everywhere
As is the case with many horror games, death is a commonality. The fact that your character can, and most likely will die is something that every player has to come to terms with as they continue through the game. As encounters become more difficult, and the monsters' appearances become more frequent, death is just around the corner. This remains true for Corpse Party.
Despite looking like a cute pixel-style adventure game, Corpse Party is just as brutal as any other horror title. There is death everywhere. Splashes of blood paint the walls. Dead bodies are scattered across the halls. Ghosts constantly stalk the living and wish nothing more than their untimely demise. While looking at these colorful animated characters, it's easy to forget what kind of game you're playing. That is until a ghost grabs you and kills your character in a horrible manner.
2 Many Ways To Reach The Bad End
In the main game of Corpse Party, the various perspectives are split into five chapters, each with a different character filling the role of the "protagonist". Each character is faced with their own obstacles and must overcome them to reach the next chapter. However, even the simplest of mistakes can lead to the worst possible outcome in this game.
Characters can and will die over the smallest of things. Forget to pick up a certain item? Dead. Stare too long at a ghost? Dead. Ignore another character? Dead. Don't read a certain newspaper clipping? Dead. Each chapter has a myriad of ways for the game's loveable characters to meet their end at the hand of the vengeful spirits. Explore everywhere and investigate everything, this is the only way to survive and proceed to the next chapter.
1 New Chapters And New Characters
Over the years, Corpse Party has kept itself alive and relevant through its release of various sequels, remakes, and even an anime back in 2003. The 2021 version includes 16 fully voiced extra chapters that expand on the many characters and their relationships as well as a more expanded understanding of the lore and mysticism of the school.
This remake also includes two completely new chapters. These chapters follow Ayumi and Yoshiki, two of the protagonists from the main game, and the relationship the two of them possess. Players are also introduced to two completely new characters, Miku Shirayume and Ryoka Iwami, and their own roles within the tale of Heavenly Host. With so many additional chapters and pieces of lore, the terror never truly ends.