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Tales of the Black Forest

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2019

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Quick resume

In a world filled with yōkai, a surging dark power has overshadowed a Japanese town. A group of 2 developers have produced a Japanese pixel adventure game to tell a tale that dates back to the Heisei era...In the name of dreams and passion.

Global score

98/100

Genres

Adventure, Indie, Role-playing (RPG)

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    Pros

    • Engaging and emotional story
    • Beautiful pixel art and music
    • Blend of japanese folklore and real events
    • Accessible gameplay with mild puzzles
    • Excellent value for price

    Cons

    • Linear and guided gameplay
    • Some awkward translations
    • Limited gameplay depth
    • Short game length
    • Lack of fullscreen option in menu

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

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      "Players have freedom to explore environments, interact with objects, and solve puzzles with some choice in approach, though the game is mostly linear."

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    • Competence

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      "Gameplay involves exploration, item collection, and chase sequences that require some skill but are generally straightforward."

      Capsule for ARAYA ARAYA

      "Gameplay involves simple puzzles and some chase sequences that require basic skill, but mostly focuses on story and exploration."

    • Competition

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      "No competitive elements; experience is personal and narrative-driven without comparison to others."

      Capsule for Before Your Eyes Before Your Eyes

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    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      3

      "Players report habitual play, returning for story expansions, endless mode, and character interactions, indicating sustained engagement."

      Capsule for Spirit Swap: Lofi Beats to Match-3 To Spirit Swap: Lofi Beats to Match-3 To

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    • Cooperation

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      "Entirely single-player experience with no multiplayer or cooperative gameplay."

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    • Creativity

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      "Players can explore different story paths and uncover hidden items, though within a predefined narrative structure."

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      "Players can explore and uncover hidden story elements and secrets, but limited creative modification or building."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

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      "No elements of exerting control or superiority over others; cooperative and equal narrative experience."

      Capsule for Serre Serre

      "No elements of exerting control or superiority over others; cooperative and equal narrative experience."

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

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      "Strong immersion in Chinese mythology and story provides escape from real life."

      Capsule for Xuan-Yuan Sword: The Gate of Firmament Xuan-Yuan Sword: The Gate of Firmament

      "Strong immersion in a fictional world blending Japanese folklore and real events provides escape from reality."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of interest in story, art, and atmosphere rather than obligation or external pressure."

      Capsule for Bye Sweet Carole Bye Sweet Carole

      "Players engage voluntarily out of interest in story, folklore, and atmosphere rather than obligation or pressure."

    • Experimenting

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      "Some exploration and puzzle solving encourage trying new approaches, but overall gameplay is linear and guided."

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      "Some exploration and puzzle solving encourages trying new things, but overall gameplay is guided and linear."

    • Exploration

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      "Players explore different environments and uncover secrets and story elements."

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      "Players explore different environments and uncover hidden story elements and lore throughout the game."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

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      "Limited customization; players experience preset characters and environments without personal modification."

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    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

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      "Strong fantasy elements with time travel, RPG story, and imaginative settings."

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    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

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      "Primarily a solo experience focused on individual narrative engagement with minimal social connection."

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      "Solo experience focused on individual narrative engagement with minimal social interaction."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

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      "Players develop understanding of story and characters; some learning through puzzle solving."

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      "Players develop understanding of story, characters, and cultural context; some puzzle solving and learning."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

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      "Sedentary gameplay typical of RPG Maker games; no physical activity involved."

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      "Sedentary gameplay typical of visual novel and RPG Maker style games; no physical activity involved."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -4

      "Requires focused attention on puzzles and story; not designed for background or casual intermittent play."

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      "Requires focused attention on story and puzzles; not designed for background or casual intermittent play."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      2

      "Emotional connection to characters and story creates a sense of closeness despite lack of direct social interaction."

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      "Emotional connection to characters and story creates some sense of closeness despite lack of social features."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      -5

      "No leadership or group management elements; purely single-player narrative experience."

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      "No leadership or group management elements; purely single-player narrative experience."

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      2

      "Progression through story chapters and unlocking different endings; no item or upgrade accumulation."

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      "Progression through story chapters and unlocking endings; minimal item or upgrade accumulation."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      3

      "Atmospheric music and art create a contemplative, immersive experience that some find relaxing."

      Capsule for q.u.q. q.u.q.

      "Atmospheric music and art create a soothing experience balanced with some suspenseful moments."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      3

      "Enjoyable pixel art and soundtrack provide sensory stimulation and emotional engagement."

      Capsule for Slash or Die Slash or Die

      "Enjoyable pixel art visuals and evocative soundtrack provide sensory and emotional engagement."

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      -5

      "No social recognition or status systems; gameplay is private and individual."

      Capsule for KNIGHTS KNIGHTS

      "No social status or recognition systems; gameplay is private and individual."

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      5

      "Strong narrative focus with multiple endings, character development, and folklore-driven plot."

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      "Strong narrative focus with rich characters, emotional depth, and integration of folklore and history."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      1

      "Puzzles require some problem solving but overall mental challenge is moderate and straightforward."

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      "Simple puzzles and some problem solving present mild mental challenge but no complex strategy."

    • Thrill

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      2

      "Includes suspenseful chase sequences and eerie moments that create tension and occasional thrills."

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      "Some suspenseful chase sequences and eerie moments provide mild thrills within a mostly calm experience."

    • Value

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      5

      "Highly praised for excellent value given low price and quality storytelling."

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      "Highly praised for delivering excellent story and atmosphere at a low price; considered a great value."

    • Violence

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      "Minimal violence; gameplay focuses on puzzle-solving and story rather than combat or destruction."

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    • Survival

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      "Some chase and escape sequences present, but not a core survival mechanic."

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    Analysis

    Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Survival, Violence, Fellowship, Expression. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Intimacy, Survival, Thrill.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Where to buy

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    Last update: 30/04/2026