Released: Act 1: February 1^st, 2023

Liam’s Route (Base Game): Mid-2023

Other Routes: TBA

Developer/Publisher: Chattercap

Genre: Visual Novel, Mystery, Romance(Otome)

Platform: PC(Android/Mac/iOS planned)

**CW: This game contains occasional visual depictions of alcohol, blood, violence, body horror, and other frightening images. Text describing alcohol usage, death/murder, blood/violence, and body horror. Allusions to torture and self-harm.

I intended to finish playing this demo and posting months ago. Unfortunately, I’m slow as molasses when it comes to visual novels. Typically, I find myself immersing to the point I forget that I have to write a review for the game (See how long it took me to post Bustafellows). If anything, that is a testament to just how into the game I was!

Summary

The fairy tale is over. The Hero won. But the story is just beginning.

Shizuka Mitsumori has spent years trying to protect her childhood friend, the Hero, from the perils that assailed him at every turn. At long last, his quest is over. Even during the celebrations, however, new dangers emerge. Dangers more treacherous than monsters. Dangers that threaten the life of the kingdom’s strongest man.

Can the side character save the Hero?

Can you find the happily ever after?
via Actala’s Official Website

Features

Five love interests: Five love interests, each with dramatically different storylines. Who’s the hero, and who’s the villain? Who lives, and who dies? Your choices will decide.
Unique, animated illustrations: The story is entirely depicted with unique, animated illustrations, similar to an interactive comic book. The demo alone has over 140 images, including 45 CGs!
Fragments of the Past: As you play, unlock Fragments of the Past. These additional scenes allow you to gain a better understanding of the characters by exploring their pasts before the events of the main story.
Route Map: Easily navigate through the story using the Route Map feature.

Characters

Conclusion

This was a heck of a demo! Even now it’s hard to believe that all those hours I played were JUST a demo. Not even a full game but a taste. The world building, the story telling, the character building, everything was well worth it. I’m actually glad it took me this long to finish because I can fully appreciate it. Some of the most appealing elements of the game are having a female MC that is an actual adult. Don’t get me wrong, I have no qualms about playing a teenager or college student. But, I am a grown woman so playing as another grown women just makes me that more tuned in. Plus, she’s got spunk.

Again, nothing wrong with timid, shy MCs (especially since I’m more on the shy side in actual life.) It’s just refreshing to have someone who will speak their mind or stand firm on their beliefs. Like yes, have some bass in your voice and don’t let these people walk over you! All of the LIs are interesting as well, though…I do have a soft spot for potentially bad boys so Rowan is my top 2 and he’s not number 2! There’s this joy in knowing that the youngest LI is 23. I’ve needed a good grown up, mystery/romance/fantasy visual novel.

Without spoiling too much, it’s a must play. At first, I couldn’t quite put my finger on what made this demo stand out to me. Well, besides it being over 5 hours. Initially I did think, “that’s way too much to give away” and, “that’s usually how long games take to complete!” But quite honestly, it was just enough. The captivating storybook artwork and gameplay features, I’m already attached to the characters and the cliffhanger leaves you craving more!

About Chattercap

Actala is Chattercap’s first project. Besides using outsourced music and sound effects, she does everything related to the title, including the script, character and background art, animations, coding, and marketing. She is a long-time fan of visual novels and interactive fiction/adventure games, and she hopes to share her love for character-driven storytelling through her works.

She also just released a new visual novel called ‘Karamu‘ which was submitted for Otome jam and Josei Jam 2023 and has already gotten some wonderful reviews!