This was truly a memorable game to play. Far better than I expected. Though I wasn't sure what I was expecting at first, whatever it was, if any, was far exceeded by the actual visual novel itself and the overall story it told. It's the kind of thing that sticks with you for some time afterward, and doesn't want to leave, so that's saying something. It also has a ton of replay value, for those who are wondering about that. Five romance options, all Gh'allion Elves of the dark isle the main character finds herself on.
I also love the lore that's been given. I noticed that on my second playthrough, more lore can be unlocked, and it will give a purple bar to show just how much has been revealed so far, so that is yet another reason why multiple playthroughs would be a must, if you want to know all there is to know about the game and the background of the world it takes place in. The music is sad and somber at times, as well as danger/anticipation-inducing, so that's yet another plus to add to the mix. With one of the endings, it made me shed a few tears due to its outcome, but it is by no means, the only ending the MC could have.
If I were to give a complaint, the only complaint I would have, and this is minor, is that the scroll bar to read the compendium is rather annoying to click on and move it up and down to read all the information. You have to click on just the right spot in order to get it to behave, which can be a nuisance at times. This also goes for the save/load menu. But again, compared to the story and the awesome experience this game gives, renders that a rather moot, and unimportant point overall. At the very least, it is greatly lessened, and hardly a damper on one's enjoyment.
I am on my third playthrough now, my first playthrough having lasted a couple days or so. Despite what it says about the visual novel only being a few hours long, it took me longer than "just a few hours". Which was nice, because if it was too short, I might feel a bit cheated. But I didn't. I anticipate at least a few more playthroughs of this wonderful game.
If you're looking for a wonderful, memorable, story-rich visual novel about facing hardships, dangers, the unknown and finding out the history about a people the MC had never known about before, much less had never met before the start of the game itself, as well as inter-species romance, this is most likely something you're going to want to download and see for yourself just what it's all about. I doubt you'll be disappointed, I certainly wasn't. Quite the opposite.
A bit more about the story told:
The MC starts off in the village of Edric, within the Burned Forest, having lived in a tiny hut with her aunt Vanya her entire life, her aunt having raised her since the MC became an orphan after her father died, and her mother also being dead. It doesn't take long for her life to change dramatically, in which she is then swept away on an "adventure". Whether she wanted to go or not, she had no choice but to go where fate, luck or chance would take her. The strange power inside her begins to make itself known over the course of the story, something that was thrust upon her due to an unfortunate incident that occurred towards the VN's start, one that would end up changing her life forever, in both good and bad ways.
Character Creation...
The player has six choices to make for the character herself. Name, hair style, hair color, eye color, skin color, and disposition. These will influence what your character looks like, what she is called by, and how the story will unfold, according to the different choices that are made. Or you can keep the default name of Alenca Goffil, and start playing right away, with no character screen changes. The age of the character stays the same, and is generally assumed she is a young adult or an adult, at least 18 years old, if not older. Whatever last name you choose for the MC, her aunt's last name will also reflect the surname choice of the female protagonist. You cannot change the race or the gender, the MC is meant to be a human female, and a peasant from a small, secluded, and out of the way village.
Conclusion...
Simply put, get it! I donated money to this, even though it was free, and even though I didn't know what I was really going to get at first, I personally think it deserves to have a DL price. My moderate donation wasn't enough, I don't think, for how great this game truly is. Definitely a favorite of mine now.