Doki Doki Literature Club Plus review: The cult horror game is now complete

Doki Doki Literature Club Plus Three Characters Source: Quiet Forge

Doki Doki Literature Gild was once a hidden gem on Steam when it outset launched in 2022. The seemingly innocuous and free-to-play visual novel about a pupil who joins a literature lodge filled with dateable prospects became famous because it was everything only what information technology said on the tin. This dating sim was actually not a dating sim at all, merely a horror game, and the transition from poppy visual novel to nighttime, gruesome tale fabricated for some of the most emotionally impactful gaming in contempo retentivity. Information technology's not surprising then that it's gone on to become a cult favorite amidst horror aficionados.

It'southward also not surprising then that thanks to its popularity, we now have Doki Doki Literature Club Plus, which was announced at E3 2022. The expanded version of the game includes upgraded visuals and some fun (and not then fun) extras. The new content doesn't modify the crux of the game — it'south still just as vibrant and disturbing as yous remember — merely some of the biggest changes either add depth to the already-nowadays systems or, in the example of new content warnings, brand the game more accessible to new players. Information technology'south still the same game, but it feels more like a version of the game the developer, Team Salvato, wanted to brand. And now it's available on all platforms instead of just PC.

Doki Doki Literature Club Plus Title

Doki Doki Literature Club Plus

Lesser line: Doki Doki Literature Club Plus is the same game y'all remember, merely with a few pocket-sized extras that brand information technology all experience more worthwhile.

The Good

Horrific base game remains mostly untouched
Optional, new content warnings
Side Stories add together depth to the characters
Optional bonus content rewards multiple playthroughs
Now available on all platforms

The Bad

Side Stories aren't interactable

What's new in Doki Doki Literature Lodge Plus?

Doki Doki Literature Club Plus Content Warnings Source: Repose Forge

Category	GameNameXXX
Championship	Doki Doki Literature Gild Plus
Developer	Squad Salvato
Publisher	Tranquility Forge
Genre	Horror
Minimum requirements	Windows 7 or higher 1.8GHz dual-core CPU 4GB RAM Integrated graphics
Game size	ii.12GB
Play time	2 hours
Players	Singleplayer
Launch price	$15

I won't get into spoiler territory because story points should be experienced mostly blind, only Plus adds optional content warnings, which are very welcome considering the heavy subject matter. The original game did have a pocket-sized alarm with a URL to go to if you want more than detailed information, but the Plus version has them congenital in so you can read them while staying in-game earlier you even begin. Doki Doki Literature Club has always been upfront that the game has "disturbing subject matter," only at present y'all can know exactly when you lot're nigh to be shocked by said subject thing. Turning on content warnings in the settings gives yous a pop-upward when yous're about to run into something disturbing — suicidal ideation, puke, blood, etc. — which goes a long way to profitable players. Since it's optional, y'all can cull to have them off if you want to play the game raw.

The other biggest change is the addition of Side Stories, six new tales that deepen the relationships between the characters. They all have place before the main events of the game, only fill in the gaps between them before you came along. How did the aggressively shy Yuri get convinced to join the club? How does Monika know about Sayori's depression? These stories don't have any interactive elements and don't tie in with the meta foundation behind the game's story. Rather, they treat everybody as actual characters to exist introduced and fleshed out, which adds a lot to the game'south thoughtfulness and compassion rather than shock value.

Doki Doki Literature Club Plus Files Source: Tranquillity Forge

Speaking of meta, at that place is a new UI for all of those fourth-wall-breaking systems, similar when you have to delete files. If you know where to look, you can also find lists of key terms for verse writing. Previously, this was available, but only if you lot opened upwardly the game's files separately. Now, there'south a congenital-in area that unlocks the first time you endeavour to get out the game. We'd recommend clicking around in there one time yous gain access. You'll observe a lot of hidden gems.

Finally, there are some smaller additions that fans of the game might enjoy. There are more than 13 new tracks and over 100 unlockable images, which volition be fun to discover if yous're into collectibles. The latter, along with the Side Stories, are at that place to incentivize you lot to play the game multiple times. You unlock different Side Stories by writing poems that appeal to different characters, which might require multiple playthroughs, and tin find new images, which even include fan art. It's unclear how many people will want to play through the game multiple times considering only how night and disturbing it tin can be, but the rewards are optional so information technology doesn't take away from those who want to go through it once.

None of these changes affects the game itself (minus some new HD images), which still features one of the most impactful stories I've played in a long time.

Why yous should play Doki Doki Literature Club Plus

Doki Doki Literature Club Plus Poetry Screen Source: Quiet Forge

Right off the bat, you might be wondering why this cutesy-looking visual novel would be considered one of the most disturbing psychological thrillers e'er put into game grade. As we previously mentioned, we're not going to spoil major plot points that are all-time experienced for yourself, just suffice to say there'south an emphasis on "psychological" here. Doki Doki Literature Club is a game about mental wellness and how dating sims play around with our expectations of a graphic symbol'south psychology.

Doki Doki Literature Guild is a game about mental health and how dating sims play around with our expectations of a character's psychology.

You're presented with four archetypes, three of which you tin romance at first. Sayori is the girl adjacent door, Yuri is the quiet bookworm, and Natsuki is the hot-headed tsundere. There'southward also Monika, the lodge president and typical direct-A perfection. Your goal, at first, is to romance one of the commencement three by writing poetry targeted at the correct girl. For example, Yuri likes more metaphorical poetry with complicated vocabulary while Natsuki prefers uncomplicated, adorable linguistic communication. Things proceed as normal for a while until they don't. Then the game breaks.

Doki Doki Literature Club's horror stems mainly from the subverting of your expectations. Those might already be skewed if you accept an inkling as to what'due south coming (content warnings almost agonizing content might requite you lot an idea), but null can actually prepare you for what the game has in store. The game takes what you learn virtually the characters — all of their flaws, mental illnesses, tragic backstories, and more than — and heightens them. This is on purpose, equally yous'll learn, but it forces y'all to confront some heavy topics, and how your seemingly incorrect choices tin can lead to violence. It's not just that these characters go to sometimes gruesome extremes due to their relationship with you; the game ensures that you feel the weight of those consequences. Information technology's your fault, really, if what Sayori does later you lot choose not to walk home with her ends in tragedy.

Doki Doki Literature Club Plus Natsuki Source: Serenity Forge

At one bespeak, the game directly addresses you, the player, and tells y'all what'southward really going on. The result, while relieving yous of a lot of guilt, does add another layer of spooky terror to the scenario. All of the darkness then feels deliberate, an try not by the developer but by the game itself to unnerve yous for its own gain. Only by playing with the game files themselves can you interruption out of its spell.

During my second playthrough, I was struck by how gruesome some of those dark scenes truly are. I wondered if using serious mental disease as a crutch for some centre-thumping spring scares was the right way to go. To some, the usage of these very real but difficult-to-watch reveals might be too much, which is why I would recommend turning content warnings on if yous're sensitive or squeamish. Every bit a horror fan, I've seen a lot that has nauseated me, and some of the images in Doki Doki Literature Club volition stick with me forever. There'due south also something to be said virtually how the game (both Doki Doki Literature Club and the game within the game) feels manipulative. Considering how our society treats intense mental illness, information technology feels almost easy to use things similar low, obsession, and cocky-impairment to unnerve y'all.

Doki Doki Literature Club Plus Side Stories Source: Repose Forge

Nevertheless, in the end, information technology all feels similar that'southward the point. The game wants y'all to think about why it's using these images to disturb yous. When information technology's revealed at the end exactly why everybody is acting in certain means, information technology all comes together. Doki Doki Literature Order wanted you to ponder near that usage, why information technology's agonizing, and to what cease.

Doki Doki Literature Order is a tough game to play, merely seeing that these characters can be shut to real people is soothing.

And so come the Side Stories in the Plus version. These take a pause from the meat of the main game and the systems at work, putting you in a version of Doki Doki that'south more in line with a real dating sim. These are at present regular characters with sad, complicated backgrounds that you watch unfold, non collaborate with specifically. This can make the Side Stories (and a lot of the early on moments of the main game for that thing) feel like a drag since y'all're doing a lot of watching. Yet, they add a lot to make the characters feel more than genuine and real, not similar avatars being manipulated for a horror game. They have their struggles, interact with each other, and make friendships, all outside the player'south control. They're divorced from the principal game, simply add a surprising amount of heart.

Most importantly, it takes everything I was thinking nigh the main game and information technology's deliberate manipulations of both the characters and your emotions, and puts a damper on it. Doki Doki Literature Social club is a tough game to play, but seeing that these characters can be close to real people is soothing. Despite mental illness and isolation, y'all tin can form cute relationships.

Final thoughts: Should you buy Doki Doki Literature Social club Plus?

Doki Doki Literature Club Plus Sayori Source: Placidity Forge

Doki Doki Literature Society was a corking game on its own that didn't necessarily demand a Plus version. That being said, Doki Doki Literature Club Plus makes it experience more complete. It'south a tough game to play, even for some of the more experienced horror fans, and that's all nevertheless here. Surprisingly, the extras don't really add horror at all. They arrive easier to play. But maybe that'south what the game needed.

Thanks to optional content warnings, heartwarming and separate Side Stories, and some collectibles, the game feels a piddling less gruesome and terrifying, but more whole. It feels more well rounded and complete in its message about relationships, mental illness, isolation, and guilt. Doki Doki Literature Club is a horror game starting time and foremost, and that hasn't inverse, just its Plus version feels more than steadfast in its messaging, making the game feel almost sadder and more than beautiful. Certain, you lot might non be able to truly romance any of the bodily literature society members in the end, but yous'll have a lot to call back most, whether y'all want to or not.

Doki Doki Literature Guild Plus is now out on PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Serial X|S. If you need more horror in your life, check out other great horror games for Xbox and the best horror games for PC.

Doki Doki Literature Club Plus Title

Doki Doki Literature Club Plus

Lesser line: Doki Doki Literature Guild Plus keeps the primary game intact, but thanks to optional content warnings and some surprisingly heartwarming Side Stories, the game feels more than complete and ready for the mainstream.

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