Lighthouse of Guiding Flames

Young Ethani finds herself washed up on unfamiliar shore. There is a Lighthouse, a beacon for those who have lost their way, its Keeper tells her. What happened to Ethani? And will she find her way after leaving this mystical place?

I liked...

• The concept (the story is first told backwards as a kinetic novel, and then from the beginning, where the player can try and reach a better outcome—I really enjoyed that)
• The choices (Ethani has some tough decisions to make, which keep the story interesting; also the game overall is easy to navigate, since you can see in which direction each choice leads)
• The characters
• The art and music

I didn't care for...

• The tonal shifts (at times, the game drops into chibi comedic scenes or grimdark tragic teritorry, with little subtlety)
• The leaps of logic (a few plot points just don't feel very realistic, in my opinion)

Verdict

The melancholic Lighthouse of Guiding Flames is not the perfect visual novel, but it's an interesting one. The story can take you in very different directions depending on what choices you make, and some flaws of the plot do not take away from the message or overall experience. Recommended.

Buy Lighthouse of Guiding Flames on Steam

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My Heart Grows Fonder

In this game, we follow Cas, a young man suddenly reunited with his ex-girlfriend Maia, who left him without a word three years ago. Thanks to his best friend Ava, the two meet again—and what's more, Maia has some important business in town, so she will be staying at Cas' place for a while. And neither girl will tell him what is going on...

I liked...

• The characters (except for Cas' sleazy colleague, who's really one dimensional, and not in a good dimension)
• The plot (it's simple, but doesn't overstay its welcome)
• The setting (it deals with entering the adult life; not the stereotypical highschool setting)
• The look and feel (nice artwork and music)

I didn't care for...

• The H-scenes (I don't think they contribute much to the story, esp. with Maia)

 

Verdict

Compared to Sickness, an earlier Zetsubou title which I both loved and hated at different points, My Heart Grows Fonder is a less ambitious, but far more well-rounded experience. It's not groundbreaking, but I enjoyed reading it and would recommend it if you're looking for a romance with slightly older characters.

Buy My Heart Grows Fonder on Steam

VNDB entry

⟨/Reality⟩

Barely keeping up with college and her family, Lilya spends most of her time with on-line friends in virtual reality. When she gets invited to test a new VR device, she doesn't think twice about it. The new technology is said to feel more real than reality itself, and meeting its inventor Jacob Lessard may be good for her career—that's what her dad is saying, anyway. Lilya is just curious, and nothing could prepare her for what she's about to experience...


 

 

 I liked...

• The characters (they feel like actual people; well-written and relatable)
• The choices (the game really makes you think)
• The look and feel (the game is well polished)

Verdict

I thoroughly enjoyed Reality for its satisfying story and intriguing ideas. Definitely recommended.

Buy </Reality> on Steam

VNDB entry

Nowhere Girl

Working at the same job, having a crush on your colleague and best friend, you just cannot move on with your life. After confessing this over a few too many beers to a strange biker dude, you wake up the next day with a ghost girl chained to your leg. Will you be able to fall in love with her, which would set her free? And what's the meaning of it all?

I liked...

• The story (a melancholic tale about relationships and connecting with others on a deeper level; it's not really about love triangles or fantasy mysteries)
• The characters (down-to-earth and believable)
• The overall presentation (in the game's prologue, the ghost girl offers to read a poem to set the mood; how cool is that?)

I didn't care for...

• The music (I found it distracting, so I just turned down the volume)

Verdict

In a medium filled with superficial romantic stories, Nowhere Girl takes a deeper look at what it means to connect with someone. It's not a perfect game by any means, nor is everything perfectly explained, but that doesn't take away from its message. I can definitely recommend this game if you're looking to read something a little different.

Buy Nowhere Girl on Steam

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