Charm your date in this horror game
Melissa ❤️ is a free role-playing game where you will play a game within a game. In this visual novel from CatTrigger, you will have to romance a game character in a dating sim. However, there’s more behind the character of Melissa than meets the eye, so keep your guard up.
Similar to other horror titles like Doki Doki Literature Club!, Melissa ❤️ features some creepy elements, as well as sensitive content pertaining to blood, coarse language, and the appearance of flashing lights. The story is told through a vintage computer unit, where you will have to interact with the main character.
Where will this date lead?
With a classic pixel art style combined with the use of an older computer unit as your main form of communication within the game, Melissa ❤️ presents a visually appealing setting that fits the premise pretty well. It features a cutesy romantic storyline that quickly evolves into something more sinister at the end. In order to complete the game, you’ll need to make the right decisions.
The game only has one true ending, however, choosing some of the other options can also lead to some surprising events. Players can save their progress to come back to it later on, but there are also checkpoints that you can immediately return to. The overall game duration won’t last you more than an hour at most, but it’s still packed with interesting details that you won’t want to miss.
Unfortunately, some text can be pretty difficult to read, especially with little contrast between the text and the graphics behind it. Seeing as the game file comes from a smaller developer, some devices won’t be able to run it without having to grant special permissions. You will need to go to your device’s settings and configure the preferences to allow it to run programs that come from unknown sources.
Worth the minor setbacks
Ultimately, Melissa ❤️ is definitely a title you’ll want to check out. While it does present some issues with readability and a time-consuming installation, it still features numerous traits that outweigh the cons. With a gripping storyline paired with a retro look, this horror game creates an exciting premise that many players can enjoy. Just make sure you appease Melissa, so you don’t end up vexing her.
