MiSide

More than the meme-game it seems to be, MiSide convinces you with its waifus, but enchants you with the masterful execution of a surreally well-optimized product signed by a team that clearly knows what it is doing without aiming and getting lost in pretentious delusions, but still managing to achieve them with a lot of work, competence and passion.

MiSide’s gonna be remembered for a while as a horror great, with the lunacy of Crazy Mita bringing a potent take on the classic yandere formula. The art of microdosing emotional attachment before prepping for the kill is so subtle, nervewracking, and harrowingly effective. Effortlessly dodging mood whiplash despite the wide gap between its horror core and fluffy, cozy dating sim front helps set MiSide apart as a strong title in the indie horror scene. Simple gameplay loops and puzzles compliment the harmless fun of hanging out with the various flavors of Mita and screwing around in the numerous delighful minigames packed in the five hour campaign. With pacing that’s fluid and balanced, MiSide’s simplistic little mechanics and gimmicks that wander in and out never overstay their welcome, and no one line or scene feels like wasteful filler. What really sells the package is how well it balances its thrill and mystery, going at a perfectly planned pace while giving the option to really chew on the extra worldbuilding details for the mobidly curious player wanting to sink their teeth in deeper. It can be easily forgiven for relying on some pretty familiar horror gaming tropes and mechanics when the execution results in such a smooth blend of the familiar while never forgetting to add that MiSide spice. For such a low price of admission to what’s one of the best damn indie horror games I’ve played in years, I think it goes without saying whose side I’m on.

MiSide is not just a gem, it is a masterpiece that features a stunning narrative and beautiful graphics. The developers invested not just the skills, but also their very souls into this game.

MiSide is like a sweet dream that quickly turns into a nightmare, yet compels you to come back for another dose. The game draws you into its world of love, fear, and questions you might not want to know the answers to. It offers you the illusion of safety, only to snatch it away at the most unexpected moment. Despite all that—or perhaps because of it—MiSide is an experience that will haunt your thoughts long after you turn off the screen.