Mary Skelter: Nightmares

Mary Skelter
Mary Skelter: Nightmares	2018
Mary Skelter 2	2022

Key points

The game locks enemy animations to 30 FPS by default. See High frame rate to fix.

General information

Ghostlight's page for the PC version

Mary Skelter Wiki

Visual Novel Database article

GOG.com Community Discussions for game series

GOG.com Support Page

Steam Community Discussions

Availability

Source	DRM	Notes	Keys	OS
GOG.com
Steam		Not available for sale in Japan and Korea.

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System	Location
Windows	<path-to-game>\MarySkelter.ini^{[Note 1]}
Steam Play (Linux)	<Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/837610/pfx/^{[Note 2]}

Save game data location

System	Location
Windows	%USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Ghostlight Ltd\Mary Skelter Nightmares
Steam Play (Linux)	<Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/837610/pfx/^{[Note 2]}

Save game cloud syncing

System	Native	Notes
GOG Galaxy
OneDrive		Requires enabling backup of the Documents* folder in OneDrive on all computers.*
Steam Cloud

Video

Input/Graphics Options

Graphics feature	State	Notes
Widescreen resolution
Multi-monitor
Ultra-widescreen		Pillarboxed.^[1]
4K Ultra HD
Field of view (FOV)
Windowed		Windowed mode plays at the original 30:17 aspect ratio to match the PS Vita.^[2]
Borderless fullscreen windowed
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
Anti-aliasing (AA)
Vertical sync (Vsync)		See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
60 FPS and 120+ FPS		Enemy animations update at 30 FPS. See High frame rate.
High dynamic range display (HDR)		See the glossary page for potential alternatives.

High frame rate

Roughly ten percent of the game's enemies have minor animation issues when the frame rate is unlocked.^[3]

HUD elements and 2D animations update faster when running at a higher frame rate.^[4]

Unlock the frame rate for animations^[5]
Go to `<path-to-game>`. Open `MarySkelter.ini`. Change `UnlockAnimations=0` to `UnlockAnimations=1`.

Change the refresh rate for Exclusive Fullscreen mode^[6]
Go to `<path-to-game>`. Open `MarySkelter.ini`. Change `RefreshRate=60` to `RefreshRate=XX`, replacing `XX` with the desired screen refresh rate.

Input

Remapping Menu

Keyboard and mouse	State	Notes
Remapping
Mouse acceleration
Mouse sensitivity		Camera turning/snapping is done using keys, and cannot be controlled with a mouse.
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support
Full controller support
Controller remapping
Controller sensitivity		Camera turning/snapping is done with left/right on the directional pad or analog stick, and cannot be controlled without snapping.
Controller Y-axis inversion

Controller types

XInput-compatible controllers
Xbox button prompts
Impulse Trigger vibration

DualShock 4 controllers		Requires setting `LegacyInput=1` in the `MarySkelter.ini` file in <path-to-game>. Up/Down inputs on right analog sticks don't register.
DualShock button prompts
Light bar support
Connection modes	unknown

Generic/other controllers		Requires setting `LegacyInput=1` in the `MarySkelter.ini` file in <path-to-game>. Up/Down inputs on right analog sticks don't register.
Button prompts		Analog sticks appear numbered, while other inputs use Xbox button prompts.

Additional information
Controller hotplugging		Wireless controllers over Bluetooth need to be connected before launch to be detected. Generic and Dualshock 4 controllers cannot be hotplugged.^[7]
Haptic feedback
Simultaneous controller+KB/M		Using a gamepad requires manually selecting it in the "Input/Graphics" options menu.

Audio

Basic Settings Menu

Customization Options Menu

Audio feature	State	Notes
Separate volume controls		"BGM", "SE", "Voice", alongside toggles for ADV, battle, and event voices.
Surround sound
Subtitles
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
Royalty free audio

Localizations

Language	UI	Audio	Sub	Notes
English
Japanese

Issues fixed

Mouse movement not responding, stuttering, or causing framerate drops with fast movements

Set mouse polling rate setting to 500Hz or lower^[8]
Lowering this setting reduces the frequency of mouse updates.

Scrambled or corrupted textures on AMD graphics cards

Update graphics card drivers.^[9]

"DXFAIL: DXGI_ERROR_DEVICE_REMOVED" error

Update graphics card drivers.^[10]

"Memory Allocation" related errors

Add an exception to `MarySkelter.exe` in the currently running antivirus software, or disable it prior to launch.^[11]
BitDefender users will need to also add an exception to the "Active Threat Defense" settings.

Update or reinstall DirectX.^[12]

Update graphics card drivers.^[13]

Other information

API

Technical specs	Supported	Notes
Direct3D	11.4

Executable	32-bit	64-bit	Notes
Windows

System requirements

Windows
	Minimum	Recommended
Operating system (OS)	7
Processor (CPU)	2.13 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo or equivalent	3 GHz Intel Core i3 or equivalent
System memory (RAM)	1 GB	4 GB
Hard disk drive (HDD)	6 GB
Video card (GPU)	DirectX 11 compatible

Notes

↑ When running this game without elevated privileges (Run as administrator option), write operations against a location below %PROGRAMFILES%, %PROGRAMDATA%, or %WINDIR% might be redirected to %LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore on Windows Vista and later (more details).
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 File/folder structure within this directory reflects the path(s) listed for Windows and/or Steam game data (use Wine regedit to access Windows registry paths). Games with Steam Cloud support may store data in ~/.steam/steam/userdata/<user-id>/837610/ in addition to or instead of this directory. The app ID (837610) may differ in some cases. Treat backslashes as forward slashes. See the glossary page for details.

References

↑ Verified by User:KingKrouch on 2020-10-30
While on the configuration used for testing, 2560x1080 and 5120x2160 may appear as resolution options, there is pillarboxing. In Windowed and Borderless mode, the aspect ratio is limited.
↑ Known Issues and Workarounds - last accessed on 2018-07-19
"The resolution of the game when in Windowed or Borderless display modes has a few pixels additional resolution on the vertical plane to accommodate the original aspect ratio of the Vita version of the game. This is intentional! :) When playing full screen the resolution is adjusted to the conventional resolutions (e.g. 1920x1088 in Borderless/Windowed becomes 1920x1080 in Full Screen.)"
↑ Tips/info on the PC version of the game. - last accessed on 2018-07-19
"We have left this locked by default as about 10 of the over 100 enemies in the game have minor animation issues when the framerate is unlocked and we are unable to resolve this issue as it's a hangover from the original art assets. We wanted to add the ability to unlock the framerate to those who prefer it while not inconveniencing those who are happy with the regular fps for animation with these few quirky frames. After consulting with the beta testers we decided adding the line to the ini was the best solution all round"
↑ Verified by User:KingKrouch on 2020-10-30
Tested running with a 60 FPS cap, and unlocked at 200 FPS.
↑ Tips/info on the PC version of the game. :: Mary Skelter: Nightmares General Discussions
↑ Verified by User:KingKrouch on 2020-10-30
Tested by changing resolutions and adjusting .ini files on the latest Steam version.
↑ Verified by User:KingKrouch on 2020-10-31
Tested generic controller hotplugging using a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller and HORI RAP 4 Kai in Dualshock 4 mode, wireless connecting with an Xbox One controller over Bluetooth, and wired hotplugging using a HORI RAP 4 Kai in PC/XInput mode.
↑ Verified by User:KingKrouch on 2020-10-31
Tested different mouse polling rate settings after severe stuttering and framerate drops were noticed.
↑ Known Issues and Workarounds - last accessed on 2018-07-19
"If your 2D assets such as text box art, minimap, etc, are messed up, this is usually a driver issue with AMD graphics cards. Please try updating your drivers to rectify the problem. Alternatively using previous issues of drivers has fixed this issue in the past."
↑ Known Issues and Workarounds - last accessed on 2018-07-19
"If you are experiencing this message you need to update your drivers. If this doesn't work then unfortunately we're unable to resolve the issue as there's a driver issue that cannot be mitigated. This usually seems to be a problem with Intel graphics cards."
↑
Known Issues and Workarounds - last accessed on 2018-07-19
"In some instances, Anti-Virus software may flag Mary Skelter: Nightmares as a threat which may prevent the game running or cause it to run at a lower frame rate and even to run out of memory. This has been experienced by a few users on Avast, AVG, BitDefender and Malware Bytes. To fix this whitelist the game / add it as an exception in your antivirus software.
- BitDefender users should also ensure that they make the game executable bypass Active Threat Defense. This has solved the memalloc (out of memory) issue for most users.**"
↑ Known Issues and Workarounds - last accessed on 2018-07-19
"These errors may also stem from issues with DirectX installation. Please re-install DirectX, which you can do here: https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/2106-legacy-directx-sdk-redist-directx_jun2010_redistexe/ then restart your PC when you're done."
↑ Known Issues and Workarounds - last accessed on 2018-07-19
"Check your drivers generally are up-to-date, particularly if you have an Intel graphics card."

[gamedir-1] When running this game without elevated privileges (Run as administrator option), write operations against a location below %PROGRAMFILES%, %PROGRAMDATA%, or %WINDIR% might be redirected to %LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore on Windows Vista and later (more details).

[Proton_path_note-2] 2.0 ^2.1 File/folder structure within this directory reflects the path(s) listed for Windows and/or Steam game data (use Wine regedit to access Windows registry paths). Games with Steam Cloud support may store data in ~/.steam/steam/userdata/<user-id>/837610/ in addition to or instead of this directory. The app ID (837610) may differ in some cases. Treat backslashes as forward slashes. See the glossary page for details.

[3] Verified by User:KingKrouch on 2020-10-30
While on the configuration used for testing, 2560x1080 and 5120x2160 may appear as resolution options, there is pillarboxing. In Windowed and Borderless mode, the aspect ratio is limited.

[4] Known Issues and Workarounds - last accessed on 2018-07-19
"The resolution of the game when in Windowed or Borderless display modes has a few pixels additional resolution on the vertical plane to accommodate the original aspect ratio of the Vita version of the game. This is intentional! :) When playing full screen the resolution is adjusted to the conventional resolutions (e.g. 1920x1088 in Borderless/Windowed becomes 1920x1080 in Full Screen.)"

[5] Tips/info on the PC version of the game. - last accessed on 2018-07-19
"We have left this locked by default as about 10 of the over 100 enemies in the game have minor animation issues when the framerate is unlocked and we are unable to resolve this issue as it's a hangover from the original art assets. We wanted to add the ability to unlock the framerate to those who prefer it while not inconveniencing those who are happy with the regular fps for animation with these few quirky frames. After consulting with the beta testers we decided adding the line to the ini was the best solution all round"

[6] Verified by User:KingKrouch on 2020-10-30
Tested running with a 60 FPS cap, and unlocked at 200 FPS.

[7] Tips/info on the PC version of the game. :: Mary Skelter: Nightmares General Discussions

[8] Verified by User:KingKrouch on 2020-10-30
Tested by changing resolutions and adjusting .ini files on the latest Steam version.

[9] Verified by User:KingKrouch on 2020-10-31
Tested generic controller hotplugging using a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller and HORI RAP 4 Kai in Dualshock 4 mode, wireless connecting with an Xbox One controller over Bluetooth, and wired hotplugging using a HORI RAP 4 Kai in PC/XInput mode.

[10] Verified by User:KingKrouch on 2020-10-31
Tested different mouse polling rate settings after severe stuttering and framerate drops were noticed.

[11] Known Issues and Workarounds - last accessed on 2018-07-19
"If your 2D assets such as text box art, minimap, etc, are messed up, this is usually a driver issue with AMD graphics cards. Please try updating your drivers to rectify the problem. Alternatively using previous issues of drivers has fixed this issue in the past."

[12] Known Issues and Workarounds - last accessed on 2018-07-19
"If you are experiencing this message you need to update your drivers. If this doesn't work then unfortunately we're unable to resolve the issue as there's a driver issue that cannot be mitigated. This usually seems to be a problem with Intel graphics cards."

[13] Known Issues and Workarounds - last accessed on 2018-07-19
"In some instances, Anti-Virus software may flag Mary Skelter: Nightmares as a threat which may prevent the game running or cause it to run at a lower frame rate and even to run out of memory. This has been experienced by a few users on Avast, AVG, BitDefender and Malware Bytes. To fix this whitelist the game / add it as an exception in your antivirus software.
BitDefender users should also ensure that they make the game executable bypass Active Threat Defense. This has solved the memalloc (out of memory) issue for most users.**"

[14] BitDefender users should also ensure that they make the game executable bypass Active Threat Defense. This has solved the memalloc (out of memory) issue for most users.**"

[15] BitDefender users should also ensure that they make the game executable bypass Active Threat Defense. This has solved the memalloc (out of memory) issue for most users.**"

[14] Known Issues and Workarounds - last accessed on 2018-07-19
"These errors may also stem from issues with DirectX installation. Please re-install DirectX, which you can do here: https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/2106-legacy-directx-sdk-redist-directx_jun2010_redistexe/ then restart your PC when you're done."

[15] Known Issues and Workarounds - last accessed on 2018-07-19
"Check your drivers generally are up-to-date, particularly if you have an Intel graphics card."

[Note 1]

[Note 2]

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[13]

Developers

	Idea Factory
	Compile Heart
	Zerodiv
Publishers
	Ghostlight
Release dates
Windows	July 19, 2018
Reception
OpenCritic	79
IGDB	83
Taxonomy
Microtransactions	None
Modes	Singleplayer
Pacing	Turn-based
Perspectives	First-person
Controls	Direct control, Menu-based
Genres	JRPG, Visual novel
Art styles	Anime
Themes	Fantasy, Post-apocalyptic, Horror
Series	Mary Skelter