Melancholianna is a free adventure game from KAIB LTD, INC. This side-scrolling role-playing game puts you in charge of the titular character, a girl trapped in a dilapidated mansion. This world moves between that of the living and the otherworldly. Face monsters, find items, and solve puzzles as you move toward a primordial evil.

While it looks like a light horror experience, Melancholianna is actually an immersive and slightly challenging Metroidvania title. Its unexpected traps and jumpscares add quite the punch, despite the game having a short playthrough. It’s like Night Horror in the Pink House.

Imagine getting lost in an old mansion 

The first thing to note about Melancholianna is the anime-inspired design of its main character. Meanwhile, the game itself follows a simple design commonly seen among indie titles. Each part of the stage is framed with bricks, keeping that old mansion aesthetic. As for the monsters, they mostly look tame and generic, aside from a few boss-like creatures scattered around. 

For the gameplay, it’s pretty straightforward. You have almost no means of fighting monsters traditionally. Instead, you use various items such as torches and blades. Other than that, your only choice is to avoid monsters or let them take their course. This aspect is divisive because some monsters can be frustrating, while others will appreciate the creative ways to get around. 

However, the game could use more story content. Its short playthrough only serves to build up expectations from its unusual way of dealing with the enemies. Once you think you’re getting used to it, the game abruptly ends. It has no ending sequence or story closure, which makes the experience feel incomplete. This also leaves the experience with limited replayability. 

Still engaging 

Despite its short runtime and the tendency to get an abrupt ending, Melancholianna delivers an engaging playthrough that centers on character control, meaningful choices, and narrative flow. It encourages players to pay attention to interactions and decisions, creating a sense of involvement throughout the adventure.  

The real kicker, though, is the game's consistent pacing, unfolding naturally as the story progresses, even though it has no ending sequence. In addition, the gameplay remains straightforward and rewarding throughout the playthrough, allowing players to stay focused on the narrative and character interactions. 

A worthy indie experience 

Melancholianna offers an engaging blend of exploration, puzzle-solving, and light horror elements that keep players invested throughout its brief adventure. Its unique approach to enemy encounters, meaningful player choices, and consistent pacing help create a memorable experience despite its simple presentation. The eerie atmosphere and challenging moments add to its appeal, making it worth trying for fans of indie Metroidvania games. However, its abrupt ending and lack of story closure can feel disappointing.