When comparing Corpse Party vs Epistory - Typing Chronicles, the Slant community recommends Epistory - Typing Chronicles for most people. In the question“What are the best indie games on Steam?” Epistory - Typing Chronicles is ranked 43rd while Corpse Party is ranked 50th. The most important reason people chose Epistory - Typing Chronicles is:
Instead of the normal movement used in a game on PC (WASD) the player uses the E F J I keys, as the game wants the player to have both hands on the keyboard as they would when typing. This means movement is done through both hands on the keyboard only. This allows the player to quickly type words when in combat with no need to transition to a different control scheme.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Deep interactive storied gameplay
While there are no battles in the game (as one would expect from the RPG look of the title), the game does feature a deep interactive story that sees the player control different characters in different horror scenarios. Throughout the game you will be searching for clues and investigating mysterious events. The choices made throughout the game will affect the outcome, which makes for not only a good reason to replay the title but also a unique way to explore the story being told.
Pro Minimal style creates tension through imagination
Corpse Party is based off of an old release from 1998 that was created with RPG Maker. This port uses that design and as such has a lot of text and sound effects due to not being designed around flashy graphics. This means the text and sound effects are what creates the atmosphere of horror in the game, which makes the player use their imagination to fill in the blanks of what is happening. This can actually work out to even more horrific scenarios when imagined over just being shown, which makes for an old school feel that requires the player be invested in order to get the most out of the game.
Pro Never becomes too unnerving
While the plot of the game can be quite heavy and scary, there are times where the tension eases up (when exploring) as the music takes a lighter tone. This gives the player a much needed break from how unsettling the game can be.
Pro Interesting controls
Instead of the normal movement used in a game on PC (WASD) the player uses the E F J I keys, as the game wants the player to have both hands on the keyboard as they would when typing. This means movement is done through both hands on the keyboard only. This allows the player to quickly type words when in combat with no need to transition to a different control scheme.
Pro Unique graphics
The graphics are styled to look like folded origami pieces. As the player progresses in each stage, the map will fold out on a isometric plane in a way that looks like paper folding out to form objects. This gives an original look to the game that is actually a treat to watch.
Pro Great for a laptop
Due to the unique controls, there is no need for a mouse to play this game, which means it will be a bit easier to play on a laptop as no external mouse is needed nor the use of the touch-pad. This is a keyboard only game, and that lends itself well to laptops.
Cons
Con Overly familiar premise
For those familiar with Japanese horror games, the plot in Corpse Party should be pretty familiar. A group of school kids have accidentally performed an occult ritual and are now stuck in a haunted school trying to solve the mystery of who is killing off their friends. Basically, a haunted school horror RPG. While the gameplay is pretty good, making an effort to present a solid package, the plot itself is pretty hum drum and will be all too familiar for many.
Con Can fetishize violence
One thing that is a bit unsettling about the game is how much it fetishsizes the violence contained within. This may take the games violence a bit too far for the player due to how it often presents it in a unrealistic light.
Con Progression is simple and formulaic
The basic premise of the game is, start a stage, earn a new power, clear out the dungeons on that stage that require that power. This is done for each stage, of which there are four. It can get pretty repetitive and become boring pretty quickly.
Con Gets very difficult
The later portions of the game can be quite demanding on ones typing skills. This means that no matter how much a player wants to see the game through, if their fingers are not equipped with the skill required, they most likely will not be able to finish the game. This is actually a physically demanding game and only the most competent typist should go into the game with the goal of completion.
Con Same words used on different enemies at the same time
This is an issue, as one enemy may be closer than the other and it can be a mixed bag as to which one will be hit with the attack when two enemies have the same target word. This leads to frustration and death due to the game not allowing for a way to target a specific enemy when the same word is used on both.