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Doki Doki Literature Club! – Creepy Visual Novel Review

3–4 minutes
Title screen of Doki Doki Literature Club! showing the main menu and the four smiling club members in front of a pink background.

Doki Doki Literature Club! combines charming visuals with psychological horror, strong characters, a haunting soundtrack, and a cleverly subversive story.

Doki Doki Literature Club

Released: September 22nd, 2017

Developer(s): Team Salvato

Publisher(s): Team Salvato

Platform(s):

Steam platform icon
Linux Penguin icon
Mac OS platform icon

Completed on Steam, all endings obtained. Doki Doki Literature Club is free and can be legally obtained here.

HowLongToBeat Time: 4 hours | My Clear Time: 5 hours

  1. Background
  2. Experience
  3. Impressions
  4. Verdict
  5. TLDR

Background

Doki Doki Literature Club! was developed by Dan Salvato of Team Salvato, known for his work on Project M and FrankerFaceZ, within a two-year span. Salvato aimed to challenge conventional visual novel tropes and delve into themes of mental health and existential horror. The game’s artwork by freelance artist Satchely and music composed by Salvato himself create a captivating atmosphere, transitioning from cheerful to eerie.

Upon its free release on Steam in September 2017, the game swiftly garnered praise for its unexpected twists, psychological depth, and metafictional elements, solidifying its impact on the gaming community.

Title screen of Doki Doki Literature Club! showing the main menu and the four smiling club members in front of a pink background.
Everybody’s Here.

Experience

Before I started DDLC, I have already completed Spirit Hunter: Death Mark II, Spirit Hunter: NG, Spirit Hunter: Death Mark, The Silver Case, The 25th Ward: The Silver Case, Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair and a few others for visual novels. For Ren’Py, I haven’t experienced a visual novel made in it before DDLC, nor am I sure I’ve tried anything made out of it until DDLC.

Sayori smiling with a playful >_< expression in Doki Doki Literature Club!, saying “But I caught you this time!” during her early introduction.
A New Challenger Has Appeared.

Impressions

From the intriguing choice of using the Ren’Py engine to its distinctive art style, music, and streamlined interface, Doki Doki Literature Club! offers a truly memorable experience. Saving and loading progress is as seamless as depicted in the image above. Each character possesses a well-defined personality, complete with individual likes and dislikes, which becomes evident after sharing your first poem with them. The words you choose in your poems influence how each character responds, allowing you to deepen your connection with them by catering to their preferences.

The music in Doki Doki Literature Club! is exceptional, complementing the art style and enhancing the game’s ability to convey subtle nuances. While many visual novels offer different routes leading to various endings, Doki Doki Literature Club! innovatively brings these paths together to achieve a cohesive and impactful true ending, distinguishing itself within the gaming landscape.

Glitchy distorted title screen of Doki Doki Literature Club! showing the characters with visual glitches and static effects.
Real missingno. hours.

Verdict

Doki Doki Literature Club! offers players a compelling and memorable experience with its captivating art style, seamless interface, and exceptional music. The game’s well-developed characters and dynamic narrative, influenced by player choices in poem-writing, deepen immersion and engagement. Beyond its surface charm, the game surprises players with unexpected twists that add layers of intrigue and suspense, ensuring an unforgettable journey. Notably, its innovative approach to narrative paths culminates in a cohesive and impactful true ending, setting it apart within the gaming landscape.

TLDR

Pros
  • Immersive Art & Music: Doki Doki Literature Club! features a captivating art style and exceptional music that enhance immersion and contribute to its unique atmosphere
  • Engaging Interactive Storytelling: Doki Doki Literature Club! offers dynamic storytelling with interactive elements like poem-writing and character interactions, deepening player engagement.
  • Well-Defined Characters and Narrative: Each character has a distinct personality, and the narrative explores complex themes, providing a rich and memorable gaming experience.
  • Innovative Approach to Narrative: The game innovatively combines narrative paths to achieve impactful endings, challenging players’ expectations and leaving a lasting impression.
Cons
  • Potentially Disturbing Themes: While the game bravely explores dark themes such as mental health issues and existential horror, some players may find these themes unsettling or disturbing.
  • Limited Replayability: Once players have experienced the game’s multiple endings and twists, there may be limited incentive for replayability, as much of the surprise and mystery will have been revealed.

Rating: 8/10

In Summary: Doki Doki Literature Club! offers players a compelling and memorable experience with its captivating art style, seamless interface, and exceptional music. The game’s well-developed characters and dynamic narrative, influenced by player choices in poem-writing, deepen immersion and engagement.

Beyond its surface charm, the game surprises players with unexpected twists that add layers of intrigue and suspense. Its innovative approach to narrative paths culminates in a cohesive and impactful true ending, setting it apart within the gaming landscape.

Pass It Along to Fellow Gamers!

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