my personal recommendations for software, games, resources, etc.
...mostly otomes, though, let's be realistic.
i like men... 2!
i like men. that's the review.
reverie: ebon light is a visual novel that is filled with enough lore and character that it truly does live up to the genre "rpg."
there are very few games that i find genuine replayability value in beyond sentimental attachment, but ebon light is different. there's always something to learn and collect and a new stretch of dialogue i haven't stumbled upon yet.
and now here i am writing a review— my first review, actually. i'm not someone who likes to openly acknowledge my interests and hobbies for all to see, let alone leave any evidence i spend a fair chunk of my time playing romance games. (nothing to be ashamed of, mind you. i just struggle with emotional vulnerability and admitting i take comfort in games with romance mechanics makes me feel a tad more exposed than i'm comfortable with.)
but ebon light is an exception, it breathes life into its lore and characters, making me sincerely wish i could experience more of the extended world, more of the story beyond what's available in the game. that isn't at all to say the game seems unfinished, it's polished and absolutely worth your time. what i'm saying is that the world built for us in ebon light is fascinating and one i'd love to revisit if underbliss chose to expand upon it. i would gladly go on another journey in this world.
all of the love interests are fascinating in their own ways, entertaining characters with unique motivations and forms of self expression, even if you aren't pursuing all of them, each one is genuinely likeable, in my opinion. it's easy to slip into alenca's mindset and find yourself in her shoes. the art is gorgeous, and the style fits an almost nostalgic theme. something that reminds me of old vampire novels and emo rock. something i adore.
my greatest criticism is that the gui lags heavily, though this is likely the fault of my roughly two hundred year old laptop, and not the game itself. and, perhaps, that calipoa and ecarae weren't romanceable. no accounting for taste with the latter but hey, i doubt i'm the only one.
ebon light is easily one of my favourite visual novels of the year, and i play a lot of them, considering i'm an aspiring developer myself.
it was long worth the wait, and i encourage anyone who's fond of group banter and main characters with actual personalities, as well as gothic themes and aesthetics, to give it a shot. it's a game well worth paying for, available for free. you have nothing to lose.
