Sinisistar 2 was originally developed as an erotic horror, ryona-heavy game – “ryona” being a term that yours truly just found out means that there’s…well, lots of sexy girl torture, since before being hit with a Game Over screen, you’ll get to enjoy(?) the main character being hurt in all sorts of creative ways by the bestiary. Very Clive Barker! What’s left is a curvy nun in a revealing outfit, some enemies that get a little too affectionate when trying to kill her, and surprisingly a dark fantasy action-RPG that stands remarkably well on its own.
Set in the corrupted land of Arsezon, Sinisistar 2 follows a Purifying Sister called Lelia, one tasked with investigating a demonic corruption spreading across the realm that has filled the land with all sorts of monstrosities. The premise is straightforward and not much time is spent with actual storytelling, but there is a generous dose of that old-school magic, with the world itself managing to do most of the heavy lifting.
Villages rot beneath a permanent gloom, churches stand between seas of crucified people, toxic lakes bubble while weird things writhe towards the heroine, and nearly every environment feels infected by disease and decay. There’s a strong Castlevania influence running through its veins, though Sinisistar 2 also channels a little of Splatterhouse‘s love for grotesque body horror – and all that served on a platter that carries on it Bloodborne‘s gothic dread.
For what is basically what the youngsters call a ‘gooner’ game, this is easily one of the prettiest indies. Character sprites are richly detailed, animations are fluid, and every new area introduces fresh horrors. The fog-shrouded fields, abandoned settlements, or pulsating innards of some impossible monstrosity and everything in between look great, and use an art style that’s partly reminiscent of Octopath Traveler‘s 2.5D presentation.
Now, here’s the thing: Sinisistar 2 is one of those very…niche kind of indies. The fact that this is a censored version of a game full of gore, sexually aggressive slimy tentacles and phallic worms, plus plenty of nun nudity is irrelevant. Adult content enabled or not, this simply isn’t for everyone. For starters, while everything from jumping to swinging Lelia’s wand is snappy, she controls a bit more heavily than most characters do nowadays.
In other words, Lelia is slow. So slow that when running the biggest change isn’t her speed but her animation! Those who grew up with and still play titles like the original Castlevania or similar experiences won’t have much trouble, but the rest will likely be annoyed from how handling the main character feels as if moving through glue – especially during some very tough boss encounters where she will be attacked from all directions.
Most if not all enemies can grab Lelia, with frantic button-mashing being the only way to escape their pervy hold. This is meant to create tension, but it mostly becomes annoying fast, especially as this is where the absence of the uncensored scenes is felt the most. Most importantly, it also highlights one of Sinisistar 2’s biggest issues, which is how this battle nun isn’t the most battle ready. No dodge, no block, no parry. She can only move left and right, duck or jump, with a magic arrow being the only ability besides her two attack moves.
For those able to see past its limitations, combat is actually very enjoyable. Lelia’s attacks carry a satisfying sense of weight, and while her movement can initially feel restrictive, it eventually becomes clear that this is designed around deliberate positioning rather than lightning-fast hack and slashes or dashes and rolls. Even her magic bow, which can initially feel awkward, particularly during hectic encounters, soon becomes one of the most useful tools once one becomes comfortable with its aiming system.
Sinisistar 2 encourages patience and learning enemy patterns. It’s a surprisingly thoughtful combat system for a game whose Steam page may give entirely different first impressions. Even when dealing with swarms of grotesque creatures, battles often feel more tactical than expected, with positioning and timing proving more important than raw reflexes, especially when having to fight the many larger-than-life bosses on offer.
No, no, it’s not perfect. Enemy positioning or attacks might occasionally feel cheap, the balance is all over the place, and Lelia’s attack has a depressingly short reach, which, coupled with her speed, makes some of the more action-packed regions an aggravating chore to complete. Everything at hand – from the user interface, to the game mechanics, to the structure of the world itself – definitely needed a bit more time in the oven. Unfortunately, all those are minor flaws…
Sinisistar 2 is a rare combination of things this critic loves. Grimdark fantasy, sexy battle nuns, and an unapologetic approach to its artistic vision. And sexy battle nuns. Yes, he is a fan of the Adepta Sororitas. Why do you ask? All these he once found in another niche indie, Book of Korvald, which also began its life as an adult-themed title. Like with Sinisistar 2, although a piece of software that was actually good and not just smut in digital form, it lacked polish and never realised its true potential. In Sinisistar 2’s case it’s progression where it begins to stumble.
When increasing Lelia’s stats the improvements are minor, thus levelling up rarely feels exciting. Equipment progression suffers from a similar problem as new weapons are mostly straightforward upgrades rather than meaningful alternatives. Whether ten minutes in or several hours deep, Lelia plays the same. As for exploration, it mainly remains fun thanks to the excellent atmosphere, because venturing down dangerous paths or defeating major enemies often results in underwhelming rewards like a mere consumable item or a key needed to continue the story.
Sinisistar 2 isn’t a bad game. Its biggest weakness is that it constantly feels like the foundation of something greater. The combat is good. The world is excellent. The visuals are exceptional. However, it never quite develops the deeper progression systems, richer storytelling, or broader customisation options needed to elevate it beyond a good indie action-RPG. It’s a three- to five-hour-long adventure that’s worth experiencing (patched or not patched), but one that feels like a small taste; a demo, not a complete product.
