Tag: visual novel

Scarlet Hollow – PC Preview
Previews & Early Access

Scarlet Hollow – PC Preview

There’s something deeply unsettling about small towns. Maybe it’s how everyone knows your business, or perhaps it’s the sense that you might never leave once you’ve arrived. Scarlet Hollow, developed and published by Black Tabby Games, leans into that creeping dread with a masterful blend of mystery, horror, and pitch, black humour. Best known for Slay the Princess, the indie duo behind Black Tabby Games have crafted another narrative-driven gem where your choices matter, your relationships evolve, and no one is getting out unscathed. With four episodes currently available (out of seven planned) on Steam, Scarlet Hollow is already shaping up to be one of the most immersive experiences in gaming. Scarlet might be Hollow but this game is full of greatness What are you most excited about in...
Human Within – Quest 3 Review
VR Reviews

Human Within – Quest 3 Review

We recently covered the news of Human Within releasing dev diaries, so we thought it best we follow that up with a full review. Developed by SignalSpace and published by Signal Space Lab, Human Within is a narrative-driven experience. Released at the start of January this year, let's check out whether it's worth your £15.99 (at time of writing on the Meta store) Immense Processing Power Are you a fan of narrative-driven games? Well, let us know in the comments what your favourite of all time is. Gameplay We join Nyla and her sister, Linh being held against their will. They are both Cyber Engineers who have developed a way to harness the power of the brain to create the ultimate computer. Unfortunately, with great power comes great responsibility, and Nyla wants to back out. We join the...
Rift of the NecroDancer – PC Review
PC Reviews

Rift of the NecroDancer – PC Review

9 years after their critically acclaimed beat-busting dungeon delver, Brace Yourself Games teams up with Tic Toc Games and returns with a sequel that puts a new spin on a familiar mechanic, NecroDancer style. And here I am, an avid fan. Let’s rock! Rift of the NecroDancer fully leans into the rhythm genre and transports Cadence and co to a strange new world: ours. After dispatching a strange purple slime, crypt explorer Cadence is sucked into a strange rift which drops her into the present day. She soon discovers she’s not the only one mysteriously jettisoned and now working a day job, not to mention more strange rifts opening and turning regular folk into monsters from the Crypt. Using teamwork and sick guitar skills, Cadence and her friends must get to the bottom of this otherworldly phe...
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector – PC Review
PC Reviews

Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector – PC Review

Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector takes players to the Starward Belt, a richly realised, ramshackle set of habitats in an asteroid belt full of secrets, stories, and characters trying to make ends meet. Developed by Jump Over The Edge and published by Fellow Traveller. This is a massively anticipated sequel to one of 2022’s most acclaimed dice run RPGs. Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector is now out on Steam, grab your sleeper jacket and jump into this thrilling adventure! Great, another character that will haunt my nightmares. Developers Jump Over The Edge push the boundaries of the first game to make this an even more compelling story driven adventure now with even more challenge than before.  The stakes are high but so is the reward. And with that in mind, let's get into it. Game...
Universe For Sale – PS5 Review
PlayStation Reviews

Universe For Sale – PS5 Review

Universe For Sale is a multi award-winning narrative point-and-click adventure from small Italian indie studio Tmesis Studio. Originally released on PC in November 2023, Akupara Games has now extended that to Xbox, PlayStation, Switch. The game is also available on mobile devices via Apple Store and Google Play Store. For the purposes of this review, I've been playing on the PlayStation 5. Drops Of Jupiter In a small colony situated in the clouds of Jupiter lives Lila, a young woman with the amazing gift of being able to conjure universes from mundane ingredients. Universe For Sale explores the story of Lila meeting a mysterious stranger who has an odd fascination with her. The stranger is part of a space-cult in which members sever body parts in order to reach enlightenment. Who is t...
True Colours A Date With Deception – PS5 Review
PlayStation Reviews

True Colours A Date With Deception – PS5 Review

True Colours - A Date With Deception is a single-player visual novel narrative game from developer Borealis and EastAsisaSoft. Is this a cute visual novel about the pursuit of happiness? Or will you become entangled in a web of lies and deceit? Will you seek redemption? True Colours - A Date With Deception was originally released for PC in quarter 4 of last year. However, it can now be brought on all major platforms for approximately £10. Due to the nature of the game, I will try my best not to spoil anything. But please be warned that there will be some light spoilers. Gameplay With True Colours - A Date With Deception being a visual novel, this means that there is minimal gameplay. It is simple in the fact you continuously press the x button to progress through the game. Occasionally...
Until Then – PS5 Review
PlayStation Reviews

Until Then – PS5 Review

Until Then is a single-player visual novel narrative game from developer Polychroma Games. The game is set in a fictional version of the Philippines. Though I don't live in the Philippines, I found myself deeply immersed in its local culture and learned a lot about its people, while also experiencing a heartfelt narrative that truly resonates. Until Then? Its around 5 minutes and 51 seconds After incredibly positive demo reception, Until Then was released on PS5 and PC on June 25th, 2024. The game is a difficult one to review due to its narrative nature, but i'll do my best to not reveal anything big. There will be some light narrative spoilers. Gameplay Until Then is a visual novel with minimal interactivity, meaning the best you’ll get in ways of gameplay is the x button and occasion...
Slay The Princess – PC Review
PC Reviews

Slay The Princess – PC Review

Slay the Princess - PC Review, the latest visual novel game from Black Tabby Games, takes players on a dark and gripping journey. Filled with intrigue, danger, and moral ambiguity. Players will navigate the choices and consequences that shape the game's narrative. With all these choices remember one thing, if you don't slay the princess "Everything goes dark, and you die". The Princess is in another dungeon, you must Slay the Princess This engrossing tale takes players on an unforgettable journey. With its intricate character development, branching narratives, and thought-provoking themes. Slay the Princess delivers an immersive gaming experience that will leave players hooked even after they finish. Gameplay At the heart of Slay the Princess lies a compelling and multi-lay...
Shuyan Saga – PS5 Review
PlayStation Reviews

Shuyan Saga – PS5 Review

In the last few years, I've gotten back into reading some comics and graphic novels, the Power Rangers Shattered Grid storyline being a particular favourite. Using the guided reading on the Comixology app has been a revelation, enhancing the reading experience. When I saw the Shuyan Saga trailer on the PlayStation YouTube channel earlier this summer I was immediately intrigued. Shuyan Saga - An Epic Kung Fu Journey Originally released in 2017, the game was developed by Lofty Sky Games, a studio based in Canada. The visual novel now comes to consoles for the first time with release on PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch. Gameplay Set in Ancient China the story centers around Shuyan, a teenage princess who is heir to the throne in the kingdom ruled by her parents. When the invading Gue...