{{Infobox video game | title = Mask of the Rose | image = Mask of the Rose cover.png | alt = | caption = | developer = Failbetter Games | publisher = Failbetter Games | designer = | programmer = | artist = | composer = | series = | engine = Unity<ref name=unity>{{cite web|url=https://www.failbettergames.com/news/leaving-pre-production-on-mask-of-the-rose|title=Leaving Pre-Production on Mask of the Rose|last=Young|first=Stuart|work=Failbetter Games|date=2021-08-16|accessdate=2023-06-29}}</ref> | platforms = {{plainlist| * Linux * macOS * Nintendo Switch * Windows }} | released = {{ubl|'''macOS, Switch, Windows, Linux'''|June 8, 2023}} | genre = Visual novel | modes = Single-player }} '''''Mask of the Rose''''' is a 2023 visual novel developed by Failbetter Games and is set in the same universe as ''Fallen London'', ''Sunless Sea'', and ''Sunless Skies''. It has elements of detective games and dating sims. ''Mask of the Rose'' was released in June 2023 for Linux, macOS, Switch, and Windows.
== Gameplay == thumb|left|Gameplay screenshot. In 1862, bats cause London to be pulled underground. Lovecraftian monsters enter London, the dead rise, and Queen Victoria refuses to leave her palace. ''Mask of the Rose'' is a prequel to ''Fallen London'' and its spinoff games, ''Sunless Sea'' and ''Sunless Skies''.<ref name=rps-review>{{cite web|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/mask-of-the-rose-review|title=''Mask Of The Rose'' review: a lavish gothic dating sim that's a little light on romance|last=Watts|first=Rachel|work=Rock Paper Shotgun|date=2023-06-08|accessdate=2023-06-29}}</ref> It is a visual novel that can be optionally played as a dating sim. Players can date various characters or act as a matchmaker to them. Players can customize their character, and the choices they make, such as what clothes they wear, affect how non-player characters perceive them. Besides the dating elements, players can investigate a false accusation of murder made against one of their friends. During their investigation, players can assemble motives and evidence, then question people based on them. Players' actions advance time, and the game ends when time runs out.<ref name=pcgamer>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/mask-of-the-rose-review/|title=''Mask of the Rose'' review|last=Wolens|first=Joshua|work=PC Gamer|date=2023-06-08|accessdate=2023-06-29}}</ref>
== Development == Failbetter Games crowdfunded ''Mask of the Rose'' in February 2021, and it reached its goal in the first day.<ref name=rps-delayed>{{cite web|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/failbetters-gothic-dating-sim-mask-of-the-rose-delayed-to-june|title=Failbetter's gothic dating sim ''Mask Of The Rose'' delayed to June|last=Serin|first=Kaan|work=Rock Paper Shotgun|date=2023-03-31|accessdate=2023-06-29}}</ref> It was developed in Unity,<ref name=unity/> using Ink for the dialogue. Failbetter previously used StoryNexus,<ref name=ink>{{cite web|url=https://mcvuk.com/development-news/want-your-story-to-drive-your-game-rather-than-vice-versa-inkle-and-failbetter-discuss-the-storytelling-potential-of-the-open-source-ink/|title=Want your story to drive your game rather than vice-versa? Inkle and Failbetter discuss the storytelling potential of the open source Ink|author=<!-- Staff -->|work=MCV/Develop|date=2021-03-11|accessdate=2023-07-02}}</ref> a dialogue system that they designed themselves.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/interactive-fiction-tools-storynexus-and-quest-released/|title=Interactive fiction tools StoryNexus and Quest released|last=Davies|first=Marsh|work=PC Gamer|date=2012-10-17|accessdate=2023-06-29}}</ref> For ''Mask of the Rose'', they wanted middleware that was more appropriate for short lines of dialogue.<ref name=ink/> It had to be delayed for two months after Failbetter added additional features and needed time for more playtesting.<ref name=rps-delayed/> ''Mask of the Rose'' was released on June 8, 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rpgfan.com/2023/06/04/rpgs-coming-this-week-6-4-23/|title=RPGs Coming This Week, 6/4/23|last=Castillo|first=Gio|work=RPGFan|date=2023-06-04|accessdate=2023-06-29}}</ref>
== Reception == ''Mask of the Rose'' has a "fair" rating on OpenCritic, and 60% of the surveyed critics recommended it.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://opencritic.com/game/15054/mask-of-the-rose|title=''Mask of the Rose''|work=OpenCritic|accessdate=2023-08-14}}</ref> Though ''Rock Paper Shotgun''{{'}}s reviewer enjoyed ''Mask of the Rose'', she was disappointed by the dating sim elements and said most of her relationships "totally fizzled out".<ref name=rps-review/> ''PC Gamer'' praised the writing and characters but said the rest of the game "never fully gels together".<ref name=pcgamer/> ''Eurogamer'' called it "incredibly ambitious" and said this can work against it, too, because they felt the game does not make it clear enough what players should be doing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/mask-of-the-rose-review-kissing-optional-but-recommended-and-tricky|title=''Mask of the Rose'' review - kissing optional, but recommended, and tricky|last=Cassidy|first=Ruth|work=Eurogamer|date=2023-06-08|accessdate=2023-06-29}}</ref>
== See also ==
* Fallen London * Sunless Sea * Sunless Skies
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{Official website|https://www.failbettergames.com/games/mask-of-the-rose}}
{{Failbetter Games}} Category:2023 video games Category:Windows games Category:MacOS games Category:Linux games Category:Nintendo Switch games Category:Single-player video games Category:Indie games Category:Kickstarter-funded video games Category:Alternate history video games Category:Dating sims Category:Video games set in London Category:Failbetter Games games