Quick Look: Black Closet

video games

Classic Gendo pose.

The Greater Good.

Crazy they are Quick Looking this game. I've been looking at making a Visual Novel with Ren'Py (free software for this purpose) and this was one of the more interesting games made with it. I don't love the setting but the general idea is awesome in a Persona-ish way. I also really like the idea of more strategically running an investigation.

EDIT: came out of this video actually going to buy the game I think, after looking at it for a while. The style and tone is kind of weird but as you go on there's some cool moments, the characters seem pretty interesting (even if they look crazy), and I didn't realize how procedurally generated it is. I was also thinking it was a short game like Austin thought but he said it's pretty long. Well I'm going to get this sooner or later.

Another boring game Quick Look. Really scraping the barrel here ey?

Well judging from the still image on this video I already fucking hate this game!

"You may now Harass Ellen."

I'd say something about that looking really bad out of context, but I'm not sure the context makes it any better...

This game's pretty good. It gets dark and kinda lovecraftian later on.

ooh secret quicklook ending

The Greater Good?

Vampire Dolly Parton is the best description of a person since cloned Cumberbatch taken out of the vat too early.

Nooooo thank you!

One sentence long diatribe based on watching 5 mins of a video.

Did I miss something or is there just about two minutes of dead air at the end of this QL?

Picnic at Hanging Rock with Vampire Dolly Parton? I'm damn near sold...

Loved Long live The Queen but had a look on Steam. £14.99? I'll wait for the inevitable Humble Bundle.

Too bad this isn't on Android or IOS, I think it would do well. Anyone know of a comparable game on either of those two platforms. I just don't see myself playing this at home with access to other PC and PS4 games, but if I'm on the go this would be a good time filler.

Can it really be D&D without MRDR HOBO?

I'm truly enjoying these Vinny and Austin Quick Looks. Good energy and the banter doesn't seem forced.

@damonkey64: the only comparable game that has an iOS version that I have seen is King of Dragon Pass and it's not an exact comparison. Those are the only games that meld story, strategy, and simulation in this same kind of way. But this game is pretty unique in RPG ways (like having a party and development with them) which is why it's so cool. But there may be some games I haven't heard of. I don't play too many iOS games.

Kinda don't like the setup, or the characters...really, that stuff was all about as far from my jam as you can get, but watching Austin and Vinny get into the game systems and take to the game was fun. It seems to have something to it.

I really liked Long Live The Queen and Magical Diary, and this sounds to be way ahead of those two games in terms of gameplay and narrative themes! Definitely going to try this out when I get the chance.

@artisanbreads Thanks. I have checked out King of Dragon Pass a bit after the GBeast quick look. It's pretty good, but the mechanics are a bit different than this. If any developers are out there trying to get an idea for a game, if you could just make a PC/IOS/Android cyberpunk game with similar party mechanics, D&D style roll resolving, some political intrigue with a side of corporate espionage, I am in.

Today School Council. Tomorrow, the world!

@damonkey64: It's very funny you say that because that is actually the exact game I have kicking around in my head. Managing a party of "runner" types using investigation mechanics like this game has and RPG type story based around them. And you would take on contracts kind of how you do cases in this game. Or perhaps just be the "security" division of some big company.

I have been learning to program for a while and settles on something visual novel ish and menu based because it will be easier to pull off (it's been hard to pull off more complex gameplay ideas for me). That's why I was looking at Black Closet here and that's why it was crazy to see it Quick Looked. You saying that is tipping the scales towards that idea though. And seeing a little more of this game, it really works.

I like quick looks the most when they show me a game I never heard of before, and yet it seems quite nice

Man am I glad something like this exists. I might not ever play it, but I would happily watch Austin and Vinny play it for hours.

Something about that character style is really off-putting. It kinda looks like someone drew an anime character and then photoshopped real eyes and mouth on them from a photo.

Just a note, Hanako Games is pretty much one person. She has guest artists for each game, which is why they all look so drastically different in style.

i came to this quick look not expecting anything.......but this is actually rad. i might have to pick this up.

This seems like a solidly all-right game. Can't say I'd buy it for myself, but I'm glad games like these exist.

Although, I think it's kinda of funny that Austin and Vinny immediately fall into the role of a snooty, spoiled, elite, rich-girl class president. ;)

That thumbnail!

*EDIT* This game seems super cool too, by the way!

Am I the only one who keeps reading this title as "Black Corset"?

Oh man this actually looks pretty awesome and now I'm actually curious to check out Long Live the Queen

one mans rubbish is another man's treasure

Glad to see this game getting some attention. It's a lot longer and more interesting than you might expect from the surface appearance.

Whooooa, I've been following Hanako Games since I was in middle school. It's so weird seeing this game now and how far they've come since I was playing Cute Knight on my family's PC.

(I also really like Long Live the Queen and Spirited Heart! Raising sims like the Princess Maker games scratch a weird stat management itch for me.)

This felt like a persona endurance run social link episode.

That was depressing to look at. I guess I gotten used to the today's mainstream standards to even get mildly interested in something so archaic.

Man, I kinda want to get this now.

This looks rather dope.

Wasn't expecting to come out of this quick look like this, but yeah, going to have to pick this up. Thanks Austin and Vinny for the heads up on what looks like a cool game. Man, this year has been great for both AAA and smaller indie-type games. My solely 2015 backlog is getting long...

I don't think Austin mentioned it in the video, but the developer's website has a pretty lengthy demo version for people who are on the fence:

http://www.hanakogames.com/closet.shtml

Give it a shot.

From the people who made Long Live the Queen? Done.

I've been wanting to play one of their older games, but never got around to it. So I guess I'll go around and play their Gendo Ikari simulator instead. Good things all around.

Did anyone else think there was additional footage since there were like 3 minutes left after the video ended?

I can't wait for the Ice T DLC.

There are four minutes of dead air at the end. I'm lost as to why though.

@sasnake: Amen.

This game looks pretty rad.

@artisanbreads:

This game is noooooooot gooooooooooooooooood