Mary Skelter: Nightmares
A first-person dungeon crawler featuring Blood Maidens and living dungeons.
Mary Skelter: Nightmares is a dungeon crawler role-playing video game for the PlayStation Vita, developed and published by Compile Heart and Idea Factory in collaboration with Dengeki Bunko under the brand name "DenPile." It was released in Japan on October 13, 2016, in North America on September 19, 2017, and in Europe on September 22, 2017. The game is notable for being the first entry in a trilogy that includes a prequel, Mary Skelter 2, and a climax, Mary Skelter Finale, as well as for spawning a short tie-in light novel series by Dengeki Bunko.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Mary Skelter: Nightmares
- Developer
- Compile Heart / Idea Factory
- Publisher
- JP · Compile HeartNA / EU · Idea FactoryWW · Ghostlight / (PC)
- Platforms
- PlayStation Vita / Microsoft Windows / Nintendo Switch
- Released
- PlayStation Vita / JP · October 13, 2016 · NA · September 19, 2017 · EU · September 22, 2017Microsoft Windows / WW · July 19, 2018Nintendo Switch / NA · October 22, 2019
- Genre
- Role-playing, dungeon crawler
- Modes
- Single-player
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The game is a first-person dungeon crawler where the player guides a party of Blood Maidens through living dungeons to reach each one's boss, the titular "Nightmares." In battle, each Blood Maiden has a Blood Gauge that lets her enter Massacre mode to temporarily raise stats and gain bonus skills. If stress is left unchecked, the Blood Gauge causes the Blood Maidens to go into Blood Skelter, attacking friend, foe, and self alike. The plot follows Jack and Alice, who escape from a jail cell with the help of supernaturally powerful girls called Blood Maidens. The entire city has been absorbed by a malignant being known as the Jail, which releases hostile monsters called Marchens. Jack, realizing he has the power to assist the Blood Maidens, joins their forces to escape the Jail. The series also includes a short tie-in light novel series by Dengeki Bunko acting as immediate spoiler-free prequels to each respective game (excluding Finale's book), which was translated and printed in English special editions of Finale for the west as a box set.
Reader's Guide
Mary Skelter: Nightmares received generally favorable reviews, with an aggregated score of 70.80% on GameRankings based on 10 reviews and 76/100 on Metacritic based on 14 reviews. Hardcore Gamer's Chris Shive gave the game a 3.5/5, stating that while the game "won't blow anyone away," it was still "a well put together, enjoyable experience." The game was followed by two entries: its prequel, Mary Skelter 2, which included Nightmares as a bonus remake with a new "true ending" unlocked by clearing the second game's own true end, and its climax Mary Skelter Finale. The series' light novel prequels, translated and printed in English special editions of Finale as a box set, expanded the narrative context for players. The game's legacy lies in establishing the DenPile brand collaboration and the distinctive Blood Gauge mechanic, which defined the trilogy's gameplay and stress-based risk-reward system.
Did You Know?
- The game was developed under the brand name "DenPile" by Compile Heart, Idea Factory, and Dengeki Bunko.
- If a Blood Maiden's stress is unchecked, the Blood Gauge causes Blood Skelter, making her attack friend, foe, and self.
- Mary Skelter 2 includes Nightmares as a bonus remake with a new true ending unlocked after clearing the second game's true end.
- A short tie-in light novel series by Dengeki Bunko serves as spoiler-free prequels to each game except Finale.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mary Skelter: Nightmares?
It is a first-person dungeon-crawler RPG centered on a cast of Blood Maidens exploring living, ever-shifting dungeons. The title was produced by Compile Heart in partnership with Idea Factory and Dengeki Bunko under their shared "DenPile" label.
What platform is Mary Skelter: Nightmares available on?
The game was released exclusively for the PlayStation Vita, with no subsequent ports to other consoles or PC announced.
When was Mary Skelter: Nightmares released in each region?
It launched in Japan on October 13, 2016, followed by a North American release on September 19, 2017, and a European release on September 22, 2017.
What other titles are connected to Mary Skelter: Nightmares?
The game is the first entry in a three-part trilogy, with Mary Skelter 2 serving as a prequel and Mary Skelter Finale as the concluding chapter. Dengeki Bunko also published a short tie-in light novel series.
Who developed and published Mary Skelter: Nightmares?
Compile Heart handled both development and publishing, working alongside Idea Factory, while Dengeki Bunko's involvement came through the DenPile collaboration brand.
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