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Seure the Tempered took me longer to read than Martis or Valerin because after every reading session I felt like I had a hangover. The prose's vivid lushness is cranked up to a level I think only fully perceivable by shrimp. I was left intoxicated and dizzy. On the plot end of things, Gray flickers tantalizing flashes of future intrigue that I hope will be explored more in the series. Seure is just the kind of knight a younger me wanted to be when I grew up, and their journey with Ganeida is brilliant. Long live Out of True!

Gray does it again! By "it" I mean they pen another phantasmagorical Arthurian romance. This time Martis is the star, after we saw a tantalizing peek of her in Valerin the Fair. I ate up the rich prose. The beauty at once assuages and gives voice to deep grief. The romance takes a back seat to Martis and her parents' relationship, but Martis' future is much brighter for the discovery she doesn't have to bear her emotions alone. This novella is as delicate, intricate, and beautiful as stained glass.

As a huge medieval and Arthurian nerd, this series scratches an itch that long needed attending. Every sentence lit up my brain. I adored the twist, and the dichotomy of woodsy & fire imagery had me swooning. Gray can write whatever they want forever.

A fantastic, bloody streak of desire. Gray brings their signature intoxicating lushness to this winter-themed erotica, where horror and romance are one and the same (as they should be!).

After riding the high of What Happened the Night Before and Play Choices' The Haunting of Braidwood Manor, I wasn't sure what to expect from The Sad Story of Emmeline Burns. What I found was a thoughtful, beautifully wrought story about the intertwining of familial legacy and growing up. The sprite, CG, and background art are the high quality I've come to expect from ebi-hime's games. The music stood out as particularly wonderful. After playing the game proper, the main menu offers a cute bonus scene of Emmeline and Nellie as well as access to a music box of the game's soundtrack. Do check those out! Emmeline Burns is a sparkling gift of a game. I can hardly believe it's free.

I played What Happened the Night Before after It gets so lonely here and wow, what a difference! While not without its complications, Mikage and Noah's love story is blessed, darling cuteness. Ebi-hime balances realistic family struggles and besties-to-lovers schmoop. The signature touch of angst and uncertainty makes the happy ending that much sweeter and hopeful. The art, UI (I did love the cute basketball!), and CGs make the love story pop in a way I think it wouldn't if What Happened the Night Before was a novella.  The integration of art & story are essential to capturing Noah and Mikage. I'm very much looking forward to more of ebi-hime's games.

Wow! What an amazing game! This is my first game by ebi-hime, and I'm absolutely enthralled. Scuttling away from the more bloody aspects of the yandere archetype, It gets so lonely here buries itself alive in the trope's psychological horror. The love interests are deeply traumatized by grief, guilt, death, and, yes, the loneliness of survival at all costs. The heroine isn't immune either, as her insecurities and jealousies stick to her like barnacles, making me think she would lock these women up, if given the power. Murder isn't the most healthy of love languages, but the twilit dreamy atmosphere, artful melancholy, and eerie soundtrack can lull you into thinking about it. I definitely recommend playing twice so you can sink your teeth into the True Ending!

Red Spring Studio KNOCKED this demo out of the PARK. Already this game feels like treasured art. The soundtrack is pitch perfect. The backgrounds are evocative. The character sprites are mouth-watering. The writing is gorgeous and visceral with a thought-provoking mystery. This piece is incredibly polished and I keep upping my Kickstarter backing for more.

I won a copy of Dual Chroma: Far Shore in a giveaway. Many thank for the free game! Aradal is a big fantasy world we get a little tropical slice of in Far Shore. The art and music are soothing and immersive, and Kassian's VA does fantastic work adding depth to his dialogue. I wasn't expecting his mouth to be animated! Cool! The bittersweet romance with Kassian felt a little forced, but I enjoyed his and MC's conversations about traveling, getting older, and figuring out what one wants out of life. The game really nailed what it's like to have an older person listen, advise, and converse with you during a long beach walk. I was left with some questions, but overall, Far Shore is an a hour well-spent among the sand and sea.