itch.io

(Warning: mild gameplay spoilers)

Went into this not expecting much as the dev's first game, and there is roughness. The characters have adorably big heads, but that means you're often getting stuck on bits of furniture that really slow you down, which isn't great when trying to maneuver around the many people who will try to attack you in this world (and heaven help you if you break anything, as vandalism comes with a cost). And I do mean many. Going into any building other than your home, the cafe, or the blacksmith means you're likely in for a fight. To a degree this makes sense given the nature of playing as an assassin, but many times you might just want to explore the town only to be accosted by arrows or dagger-wielding shirtless men (though that may not be so bad for some).

Add to this combat is functional but inelegant. You have two main abilities: a stab and a short dash. This is enough to get you through the game but feels somewhat stilted much of the time. I don't feel like the assassin I supposedly am, more someone frantically stabbing as much as possible before the AI pushes me into some corner or a bunch of chairs. The dash helps a bit, and some of this may even be intended as it's implied at one point you're undergoing training to an extent, but overall feels lackluster to me.

All this said, I was pleasantly surprised. There is a lot of heart here, and I have to give credit for the world and atmosphere especially. The backdrop is dark and dreary, appropriate for a city on the eve of war. There are several books to find that will give you a glimpse of the world's past, as well as talking to people multiple times to hear gossip and info on recent and current events in the city itself. Everyone operates on a schedule and will move to the streets and different buildings depending on time of day. Food is bright and colorful in sharp contrast to the surrounding darkness, enticing you to eat it, which is a cute tie-in with the game's other theme of self-care. And I think the dev lands the ending well emotionally, though I'll leave that for you to uncover.

TL;DR: Cute game with some rough gameplay, but has enough charm to compensate and is a fun diversion for 1-2 hours.