Matsuro Palette: A Journey Through Nostalgic Horror
Matsuro Palette transports players back to the mid-2000s with its nostalgic art style and distinctive approach to Japanese indie horror game elements. While the gameplay is straightforward, the true highlight lies in its bittersweet narrative. With a budget-friendly price tag and a playtime of just a few hours, this game comes highly recommended for anyone seeking a quick weekend adventure.
The Premise: A Cursed Portrait
In Matsuro Palette, players step into the shoes of a painter tasked with completing a cursed portrait of a girl. This girl has a history of driving her previous painters to their demise through her violent temper. Each artist who has attempted to finish the portrait has met a grim fate, whether it was drawing an unpeeled apple or using the wrong colors in a specific location. To succeed, the painter must decipher hints from previous victims and the girl herself.
Game Structure: Exploration and Creation
The gameplay is divided into two primary components: exploration and painting. Players explore various rooms to gather items for sketches. A unique twist in Matsuro Palette is that most sketches are present within the environment, albeit initially unnoticed. For instance, a mirror might be visible during exploration but only gains significance later when required for the painting.
After gathering necessary sketches, players select a color from a spinning color wheel, which they must click at the right moment. While the task of choosing colors may seem trivial, the core challenge of the game lies in accurately interpreting the girl’s requests.
Gameplay Length and Challenges
Completing Matsuro Palette typically takes around two to three hours, depending on how players navigate the painting challenges. Some encounters might prove difficult, leading to misunderstandings regarding the girl’s expectations. Fortunately, if players face failure, they don’t have to restart from scratch; instead, they are returned to the painting station with their collected sketches intact. Given that part of the game’s appeal revolves around encountering various character deaths, this feature enhances the gameplay experience.
The Art of Death in Matsuro Palette
With over forty unique death scenarios triggered by various misunderstandings with the girl, players may find it helpful to consult a guide to complete the death gallery. Each misstep results in a distinct punishment; for example, failing to peel the apple before presenting it leads to a rather cartoonish demise, reminiscent of a chalk outline. While the deaths are not graphically gruesome, they provide an entertaining twist to the game’s darker themes.
The Power of Storytelling
While the painting mechanics are pivotal, Matsuro Palette’s true essence lies in its narrative. Players may be surprised by the emotional depth of the storyline, particularly as they uncover the tragic history surrounding the cursed painting. The ending often prompts reflection, reminiscent of older indie horror games like Ib and The Witch’s House, providing a satisfying conclusion that lingers in the mind long after gameplay ends.
Aesthetic Appeal and Soundtrack
The game’s aesthetic is evocative of the Touhou Project, characterized by its charming yet simplistic art style that resonates with a sense of nostalgia. This visual design complements the unrefined feel akin to amateur fanart, which serves to enhance rather than detract from its overall appeal. Additionally, the soundtrack is captivating, and the initial monochrome palette heightens the impact of color introduction as the story unfolds.
Minor Frustrations
One aspect that deterred from the experience was the game’s tendency to return players to the main menu after completing certain chapters. Although this was an intentional design choice, the interruptions could prove irritating as players navigated back to the atelier. Unlike episodic releases, as seen in games like Resident Evil: Revelations 2, Matsuro Palette does not feature such a structure.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Matsuro Palette combines charming aesthetics with a compelling narrative, delivering an experience that truly impressed me. It offers just the right amount of challenge and can be completed in a day, making it an excellent choice for casual gamers. While a sequel may not be necessary, the bond between the painter and the girl certainly leaves room for further story exploration.
Matsuro Palette, also known as Death Palette, is currently available on multiple platforms including PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Windows PC, and mobile devices.
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