Magical Eyes - Red is for Anguish

3/10 i made it father into the story than most + music + prologue + japanese voice acting for small amounts of the story - the rest of the story feels all around low effort - auto reader keeps turning off for no reason.

This is the vestige of an abandoned series; the tiny number of reviews demonstrate why. It starts promisingly enough. There is decent world building and a degree of mystery. Some of the characters are great - Pops and the kids in particular - and the food-based humour made me laugh a few times. Although there's no English voiceover, the localisation of the text is very good. Unfortunately, the core of the story begins to drag after a while. There is no real sense of risk for any established character, and the overall stakes have little substance. There are few significant developments, and they are buried in heavily padded conversations. When combined with the almost complete lack of interaction - occasional multiple choice questions which don't require any thought - it becomes a tedious process. I wound up skipping most dialogue in the final third of the game, and it still felt like it took a long time. I don't know how it ends, and despite spending about four hours going through the majority of the game, I really don't care (though I hope Chiharu turned out to be the villain, though - her obsession with the main character is the creepiest thing in the game by far).

Magical Eyes - Red is for Anguish is a supernatural visual novel developed by Pomera Studios and published by Fruitbat Factory. Built around a blend of mystery, horror, and psychological storytelling, the game invites players into a world where emotions possess extraordinary power. Rather than relying on jump scares or action-heavy sequences, it focuses on unraveling a layered narrative filled with tragedy, secrets, and morally complex characters. Its premise immediately distinguishes it from many entries in the genre, presenting a setting where intense feelings can manifest in dangerous and unexpected ways, transforming everyday life into something far more unsettling. The story unfolds through a series of mysterious incidents that slowly expose the hidden connections between its cast. The writing takes its time introducing key players and establishing relationships, allowing readers to become invested in their motivations before revealing the darker truths beneath the surface. What makes the narrative particularly engaging is its commitment to suspense. Every revelation feels earned, and the game consistently encourages players to question what is real, what is hidden, and how m…

On one hand, the characters are good, the action scenes are well written, and the setup is intriguing enough. On the other hand, this is clearly the first episode of what never became a series. Though the main thread has enough closure, many other threads do not go anywhere, and because of that some characters which are presented as important end up being nearly irrelevant (and, as it is, a few scenes are so unconnected to the story, you have no clue why they are present). It is actually a pity, because as a setup this game is very intriguing.... but if you decide to play it, know it is extremely incomplete. Score: 63/100.

I loved this. The story line kept me entertained all the way through. 10/10 and works like a dream on the steamdeck ♥

Despite being the first part in an abandoned series, I still recommend it. The first chapter still stands as a solid individual story