Free to playvivid/stasis A mystery told in rhythm
Dig into a sister's disappearance through story, puzzles and fast rhythm charts, as a strange tale about growing up unfolds.
Is vivid/stasis worth it?
vivid/stasis is worth it if…
- you like rhythm games but want a story that sticks around after the last note
- you enjoy visual novels that mix in puzzles and don't always play fair
- you like mysteries that get stranger the deeper you dig
- you want a game that takes its characters' feelings seriously
Screenshots
Rhythm gameplay with a twist
The charts run on four keys, but the notes don't always behave. Bumper notes take up two lanes, and you can hit them with either key under them, so a falling wall of notes asks you to make split-second choices about which finger goes where. Four difficulties scale from a gentle Opening to the extra-spicy Encore, with plenty of options to tune the game your way. The tracklist mixes big names from the music game scene, like Camellia and Silentroom, with lesser-known producers worth discovering. Fair warning: some players find the bumper notes get in the way more than they help on the harder charts.
A disappearance worth digging into
On July 21st, 2022, Tsuki Tasogare didn't come home before curfew. The investigation stalls almost immediately, and her sister Saturday finds the lack of urgency baffling, so she takes it on herself. With friends Allison and Kotomi at her side, she starts pulling at the thread. The story spans multiple chapters and multiple genres, telling a coming-of-age tale about living with trauma from a young age, and what makes feelings "real". It's emotionally intense, and it earns that intensity.
A story that plays with you
If you're here for a visual novel, this one has teeth. The mystery starts with a missing sister and spirals into organizations, disappearances and the fourth dimension, told across branching choices and illustrated scenes. The game is self-aware in a way that keeps you off balance: just when the story settles into a rhythm, it bends the rules of what the game itself is. The characters carry it, Saturday most of all, and the emotional payoff is real. Bring tissues, or at least pretend you won't need them.
What should you know before playing?
Can you enjoy it if you're new to rhythm games?
Yes, within limits. The difficulties range from Opening, made for casual players who are mostly here for the story, up to Encore for rhythm game veterans. That said, some players find even the easier charts tougher than the "easy" mode in most rhythm games, and the bumper note mechanic takes a little getting used to. There are customization and accessibility options to help you find a comfortable setting.
How do the story and the rhythm game fit together?
They alternate. You read through the mystery chapter by chapter, and rhythm charts gate parts of the progression, alongside puzzles you solve to move on. The story is the spine; the music and puzzles are how you earn the next piece of it. If a chart blocks you, lower difficulties let you keep the story moving.
