Mask of the Rose

The main pros of the game

• Writing Quality: Many users praised the game's writing, describing it as "delicious," "witty," and "well-written," consistent with the quality expected from Failbetter Games.
• Art and Sound Design: The art style and soundtrack received high accolades, with users noting that they enhanced the overall atmosphere of the game.
• World-Building: The game effectively immerses players in the Fallen London universe, providing rich lore and character backgrounds that fans of the franchise appreciate.
• Character Diversity: Players enjoyed the variety of characters, each with distinct personalities and storylines, allowing for multiple playthroughs and different relationship dynamics.
• Replayability: The game encourages multiple playthroughs due to its branching narratives and choices, allowing players to explore different relationships and story outcomes.

The main cons of the game

• Lack of Manual Save Feature: A significant criticism was the absence of a manual save option, making it frustrating for players to replay sections after making mistakes or missing content.
• Pacing Issues: Many reviews mentioned that the game feels slow and stifling, with players often feeling rushed due to limited actions per day and excessive transitions between scenes.
• Shallow Relationship Mechanics: Users noted that the romance and friendship systems lacked depth, often feeling flat and not rewarding enough for the time invested in building those relationships.
• Confusing Mechanics: The storycrafting mechanic was seen as convoluted, leading to confusion about how to progress in the murder mystery and relationships.
• Perceived Lack of Focus: Some players felt that the game struggled with its identity, attempting to blend romance, mystery, and exploration but not excelling in any one area, leading to a diluted experience.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• More Time to Explore: Players expressed a desire for more in-game time to explore various storylines and relationships without feeling rushed.
• Improved Relationship Depth: Users wanted more nuanced interactions and development in relationships, with clearer consequences for their choices.
• Better Storycrafting Guidance: Many reviewers felt that clearer instructions or more intuitive mechanics for the storycrafting aspect would enhance gameplay.
• Skip Dialogue Feature: A common request was for the ability to skip previously seen dialogue, which is a standard feature in many visual novels but was lacking here.
• More Clear Progression Paths: Players indicated that clearer signposting for story progression and how to achieve certain outcomes would improve the overall experience.

Summary

• Overall, while Mask of the Rose has many strengths in writing, art, and world-building, it suffers from mechanical flaws and pacing issues that prevent it from fully realizing its potential as a compelling visual novel and dating sim.

Summary generated on: October 30, 2025