Cinders Reviews

Cinders is ranked in the 48th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
GameGrin
Top Critic
9 / 10.0
Apr 11, 2019

Cinders' story had me hooked from beginning to end, while its compelling cast of characters, the themes it explores and its deviations from the traditional narrative of Cinderella made for a surprisingly poignant tale that I won't soon forget.

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8.5 / 10.0
Feb 14, 2019

Pretty well instantly upon finishing my initial version of this story I was compelled to start up and try another path as there are quite a number of key decisions I can imagine would greatly affect the outcome...

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8 / 10.0
Feb 17, 2019

Cinders is a short but highly replayable visual novel with dynamic characters and sharp writing. The visuals and soundtrack aren’t revolutionary but serve the narrative well. However, slowdown, while infrequent, can be a game-breaking experience when it appears.

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Cubed3
Nayu
Top Critic
8 / 10
Dec 26, 2020

The story in Cinders can and does veer off at unexpected tangents. Absolutely nothing is concrete, and what feels like the best choice can end up being the worst if a scenario is repeated a few times to see what will happen next. With a high replay value to experience different decisions, Cinders certainly provides a new take on a classic tale, with style and imagination that will impact gamers more than other versions of the tale can. A wide range of morals are presented to the gamer, making it their choice whether Cinderella is a kind girl, or one who looks out for herself, and is as selfish as her step-sisters initially seem.

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8 / 10.0
Aug 22, 2021

Cinders is an excellent visual novel that makes the player think a lot about the Cinderella tale. With striking and very believable characters, it is possible to understand the motivations of each one and test dozens of different options to lead the protagonist in the way the player prefers, for better or for worse, and bear the consequences of those decisions. Despite not having Brazilian Portuguese localization and some rhythm issues, it is recommended for lovers of good stories.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

7.5 / 10.0
Mar 6, 2019

Cinders breathes new life into a tired fairytale in a way that is smart, dark and funny.

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7.4 / 10.0
Aug 25, 2020

Cinders is a very nice and original title, but it is undoubtedly made and thought for a niche audience.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

7.3 / 10.0
Sep 3, 2020

Despite being extremely poor gameplay-wise, Cinders is a fascinating, smart and fresh take on the (obsolete) Cinderella tale.

Review in Italian | Read full review

7 / 10
May 22, 2019

Cinders is a good example of a visual novel on the Nintendo Switch based on a familiar tale, that of Cinderella, told through a more modern lens. While the game is rather short, its four endings act like good motivators to keep the players focused, especially with its quality writing and appealing visuals. Cinders would only benefit from longer storylines that would amount to a lengthier experience.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

7 / 10
Feb 22, 2019

GOOD - Cinders is an interactive novel that retells the classic Cinderella story from a more mature perspective of each of the four women involved. Seemingly countless decisions, a variety of endings and a well-written story make up a solid foundation. Couple that with beautifully made 2D art scenes and well-planned mechanics in the game and Cinders comes out as strong game in this genre.

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65%
Sep 28, 2020

To be honest, Cinders is one of the most enjoyable visual novels I’ve had the chance to review; a new take on a classic fairytale is an interesting way to go; it feels familiar and new at the same time. Thanks to the bevy of choices, replay value is through the roof, but as with any visual novel, it sometimes feels tedious going through the “same” story again, even if it leads to a different ending.

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60 / 100
Aug 25, 2020

The bottom line of my playthrough is that not much I had done mattered in the end. If you are interested in playing Cinders, be prepared to play it to completion for the best experience because it is clear that not every door has a prize behind it, and not every ending suits a fairytale.

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Feb 28, 2019

Though Cinders would like to be a mature version of the Cinderella fairy tale, it fails to separate itself from the original and ends up rehashing a story we've all heard before.

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6 / 10.0
Sep 1, 2020

Cinders attempts a modern, feminist take on the classic fairy tale but poor writing and uninspired art leave it smothered in the ashes.

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Feb 27, 2019

As a Choose Your Own Adventure style narrative, Cinders is a wonderful experience but it doesn't quite feel like a full video game.

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