Collar X Malice Reviews

Collar X Malice is ranked in the 86th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
8 / 10.0
Aug 21, 2017

Collar x Malice is one of the best otome visual novels I've played with lots of things to shake up the formula for the better but some typos in the text sour the experience.

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8 / 10.0
Aug 3, 2017

In the end, Collar X Malice is a great visual novel that happens to also be an otome. The story is dark, stressful, and creates an atmosphere that forces the player to want to continue. True, there are many wrong paths, but once you see the end in sight you will understand what makes this game so good. I enjoyed my time with Collar X Malice and I'm eager to experience the remaining routes and endings that I missed, which could easily take 40 hours of accumulative playtime.

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7.5 / 10.0
Jul 28, 2017

I wasn't sure what to expect going into Collar x Malice, but I was admittedly a little afraid its darker tone would result in a nastier, more sadistic streak across the board. I couldn't be happier to have been proven wrong: while the writing leaves a lot to be desired in some regards, the story told is a compelling one, and earning the trust of the icy suitors was a more nuanced and sweet process than I expected. If you're of a mind to enjoy this silliness like I am, forget the New York Times bestseller list – your over-the-top romantic beach read is just a Vita download away.

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83%
Aug 20, 2017

Collar X Malice is a slick, stylish, and sexy thriller.

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7 / 10.0
Jul 31, 2017

A solid game in the genre, however it cannot surpass certain level. Nice and exciting story makes a good break from more challenging titles.

Review in Polish | Read full review

7 / 10.0
Aug 16, 2017

Collar X Malice is a well-crafted visual novel, with thought estetics and elaborated plot. The story itself is deep with lot of possibile interpretations. But this game also features all limits of its genre: dialogues are often too long and there are design limits that are not common to the contemporary audience. Those will be able to overcome these flaws will discover a deep story with great replayability.

Review in Italian | Read full review

4 / 5.0
Jul 28, 2017

There is a reason that Aksys website for this game doesn't stress that this is an otome as the story is engaging for visual novel fans of all types. Collar X Malice is a well-crafted title that leans hard on its mystery and creates a sense of foreboding while keeping it from becoming too much. Idea Factory walked a fine line here and ended up with a cool, stylish experience for anyone that just wants to chill in an easy chair with a cool story.

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Scarlet Bell
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Jul 28, 2017

All in all, my passion for Collar X Malice is more than I could have ever anticipated. From its diverse and interesting cast, to its alluring version of Shinjuku in crisis, it captivated me from start to end - held back only by mundane extras and localisation errors. It stands in my eyes as the best visual novel since Virtue's Last Reward - and I hope in future it can see a PC release to free it from the niche shackles of the PS Vita.

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7 / 10.0
Jul 3, 2020

If you're OK with dealing with text issues—or will speed through too fast to notice—then Collar X Malice is going to hook you. The themes may be disturbing to some, and the M rating the ESRB gave it is definitely deserved, but it left me thinking for a long time after I hit the title screen for the last time. Sometimes, that's just what I need.

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Sep 12, 2017

Everything I hoped for and more, not only has it quickly taken its place as one of my favourite games released this year, but Collar x Malice has earned a spot as one of my favourite visual novels overall. It's something very special, and it's going to be one tough act to follow.

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PS3Blog.net
the_nmac
85%
Aug 21, 2017

Collar X Malice is an interesting game. I have played visual novels before, such as those from the Zero Escape and Danganronpa series, but this is the first one that I've played in the Otome genre in which the focus is on romance as the leading narrative. I liked the story, and I think the elements of mystery, deceit, and horror really make it shine. I ended up really liking the characters, and the story really paid off in the end as it kept me guesing from start to finish.

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95 / 100
Aug 18, 2017

Collar X Malice is a visual novel that doesn't fear making the player feel something, be it tension, fear, caring for the characters or the curiosity for the reasons and motivations behind their actions. It's a visual novel that holds the player's attentions the same way the best books do, motivating him to complete every route and know every detail of this incredible and captivating story. It's both an obligatory game for the fans of the genre and one of the best options for those who want to get to know it.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

Cubed3
Top Critic
9 / 10
Aug 8, 2017

Without a doubt, Collar X Malice is a required pick-up for fans of the genre. It features a thrilling storyline and some of the best characterization seen in an otome visual novel. Exploring every route will take dozens of hours, yet the viewer will never lose interest. Even the most mundane scenes are buoyed by the awesomeness of Ichika Hoshino and the rest of the cast. Also, it goes without saying, but the game is drop-dead gorgeous. Obviously, a game shouldn't be recommended on that quality alone, but the icing on the cake is quite nice.

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Essential
Jan 28, 2021

For those looking to jump into the otome genre of visual novels and dating sims, or those that simply haven’t played it yet, Collar X Malice is a must buy!

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Aug 27, 2020

I have played and reviewed a couple of visual novel games now, and I was then and still am entirely undecided on what I think of them. Then I saw Collar X Malice on the review list. Was I ready for another visual novel? I didn’t know, but I’d played a few hectic games, and the idea of something chilled out certainly appealed to me. Plus, I love reading and story-driven games, and what could be more story-driven than a game that is essentially a novel. So, I ventured into this title, recently launched on the switch after a run on other systems earlier in its life. I did not know anything about the game going into it, but what did I make of my time in the world of Adonis? Was it a real page-turner of a game, or was it one of those stories that weren’t ever as strong as its blurb?

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8.5 / 10.0
Jul 8, 2020

Collar X Malice is an absolutely fantastic visual novel. It has a strong narrative and a compelling cast of characters to work within its intriguing mystery. The title uses a whole bag of interactive tricks to pull you into its uncertain world, and it works wonders, with the masterful visual style being the icing on the cake.

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Mixed
Jun 25, 2020

This game was a bit like reading Harry Potter: Personally, I don’t care much for the main characters. However, in every chapter I was so engaged in the story, or fascinated by the side characters, that it overwhelmed the fact that I really didn’t care that much about the fate of Harry and his friends. Playing Collar X Malice was a bit like that for me. I wasn’t always very engaged with the protagonist or her partner, but the intrigue of the story, the way it tackled the issue of justice and how it can become entangled with the many grey areas of human emotions and experience, as well as the side characters and villains that cross and re-cross your path as you play through the routes, make it a title I can’t make up my mind about. My feelings on it are all over the map. This is a game where I suggest careful consideration before playing. I’m no stranger to difficult themes and stories in gaming, movies, or books, but this game is tough. For all of the above reasons, I’ll have to rate this:

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88 / 100
Jul 28, 2017

Collar x Malice is one we at Level Down Games will highly recommend and be adding onto one of out top favorite visual novels. The story, gameplay, art style, love interest, and a fresh take on how a visual novel should be… this is one I will always recommend to my friends and family who are looking for a new game to play. If you decide to play this game for yourself you will not be disappointed.

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Evan Norris
Top Critic
Unscored
Aug 10, 2017

On the story front, Collar X Malice is a knockout. The premise is unique, the artwork stunning, and the voice-acting passionate and professional. In terms of gameplay, it's far less successful.

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